Marriage Incubator
Let’s hatch and not crack.
There is a difference.
THE MARRIAGE INCUBATOR PROJECT is an experience over nine months where a group of couples come together for the purpose of facilitating new growth in their marriage. Using content from their own relationships, the dvd curriculum and workbook provide a framework to challenge couples to engage deeper into the meaning and transformation process of marriage. Within the context of a safe and small community, relationships wrestle with the spiritual, social, emotional and practical implications of their covenant through a variety of experiences. Whether you are interested in hosting a Marriage Incubator group or participating in one, here are some further details:
MARRIAGE INCUBATOR grew out of research conducted in 2009, studying levels of wellness in 100 seminary couples. Data revealed that couples struggled in emotional connection together when conformity to outside expectations were high and personal levels of autonomy were low. Marriage Incubator was born out of a desire to guide couples in intentionally engaging in a gentle, long term process to develop greater authenticity, healthy self-regulation and closer emotional connection together. The results of the first nine-month pilot group showed significant development in these areas for both individuals and their marriages.
Couples commit to the nine month incubation period and agree to weekly marriage work. Once a month, couples meet in a large group for formative education, reflection and interaction together, facilitated through a dvd curriculum and workbook. This teaching element inspires couples to attend to their relationship and develop personal skills of listening, managing one's own responses, recognizing and repairing ruptures in the relationship and persevering in connection. In addition to the group teaching time, each week couples engage in one of a variety of experiences including private couple conversation, small group journeying and a date night.
MARRIAGE INCUBATOR IS NOT counseling or professional therapy. It is not a program to learn the right techniques and tips. It is more about a paradigm shift, transforming the way couples see and commune with each other. An incubator is a strategic environment in which fragile new life can develop in formation until newness erupts and hatches. Our purpose for using this analogy is to help couples apply warmth, light, and safety to their relationship so that new life and connection may form and hatch between them. Incubating is about a faithful process of attention and care.
YOU ARE A GOOD FIT for Marriage Incubator if as a couple you have experienced both the battle and blessing marriage can be. The curriculum is designed for couples who have been married five or more years. In addition, both the husband and wife must each have a desire to dedicate their self to the cost and celebration of discovering new life in their relationship. Presence is a crucial element in participating. Couples are expected to attend for the full schedule, except in the rare case of an emergency.
DATES:
The curriculum will be released through Seedbed for the fall of 2012 for organizations or groups interested in running Marriage Incubator.
Asbury Seminary will be running a group from Sept. 2012 - May 2013. Applications will open in late summer for 12 couples.
If you have questions or just want to check out our model egg incubator,
Contact Kelly Grace: incubator@asburyseminary.edu
Marriage Incubator
