It's no surprise that Americans are lonely. This presents a unique opportunity for the church to meet people in their loneliness. Read more on this poll from APNews.

As pastors, you know that not all families look the same. In some situations, uncles must play the paternal role. Research is now showing the significance of uncles in the identity formation and development of children. Read more on these interesting findings from Institute of Family Studies.

Father's Day is right around the corner. The fathers in your church might be looking for more ways to stay connected to their adolescent daughters. Check out this article by ChildMind for 10 ways to encourage fathers to stay engaged.

Ed’s alcoholism threatened his marriage with Heidi. But, a car accident while driving under the influence changed everything. Listen to this powerful couple's testimony from a Communio-supported church in Fort Worth.

Experts have found that empathy in a marriage can be transformative. In this article from Prepare and Enrich, you'll recieve helpful insight on practical applications to empathy that you can share with the married couples at your church.

Research is showing that the success of a marriage is pretty closely connected to the wedding, itself. Check out this article from Lifehacker to learn more.

Science suggests shared mealtime is good for the mental and physical health of each member of the family. Learn more about how this time together could positively affect the members of your congregation in this article from The Conversation.

Earlier this month, Communio helped his church plan and market their first big in-person outreach since the pandemic began – a “Rockin’ Date Nite”. Pastor Doug tells us more than 27 percent of the more than 1,000 attendees were new to the church.

Facebook is working on a new version of its popular app that’s targeted at children under 13. Experts are saying this is a bad idea. Learn more about how this update could affect the psyche of the youth at your church in this article from Vox.

Looking for a marriage-related reading list to share with your congregants? The Federalists just released their 10 top books for rejuvenating the American family.

When work becomes the centerpiece of life, the most valuable things in life suffer. Check out this article by AEI for a comprehensive analysis on how work may be affecting the families in your church.

Contrary to popular beliefs, some pandemic relationships are doing just fine. Check out this article from the Cleveland Clinic for tips on encouraging couples on how to keep love alive.

Between relationship education programs and couple's therapy, couples' have several options for serving their relationships. Learn more about these options for couples in this article from the Interdisciplinary Journal of Applied Family Science.

The psychology of birth order has been discussed since the beginning of time. But is there a science to support the claims that family order affects personality? Check out this article by Times Magazine to enjoy anecdotal evidence from Lynn Berger.

“We had many more guests for this event than we had on Easter,” said Pastor Scott. “With the way that Communio ran the marketing for us - we were able to find families who perfectly fit the programs of our church. Due to the geo-locating of the advertisements, we were able to meet families who live right around our church but had never been inside the doors.”

How do happy marriages stay happy? What qualities help a marriage endure? Researchers like DeFrain have spent decades publishing studies dissecting marriages to figure out what works to keep couples happy for the long haul. Read more from this YahooLife article below.

Before the pandemic, calendar Tetris and multitasking were the name of the game for many families. We now have a unique opportunity to advocate for less instead of more. Learn how to preserve this healthy pace in this article from Washington Post.

Many of the keys to a satisfying, lasting bond are probably already present in most relationships. Help couples maximize them by following these 10 tips from Greater Good Magazine.

Communio’s President, JP De Gance, sat down with Jeremy Beer on the Givers, Doers, & Thinkers podcast to discuss the status of marriage in the United States and what it means for civil society. Click below to listen.

Children are some of the world's greatest communicators. Enjoy a breakdown of all you'll need for marital bliss by this Kindergarten classroom.

Did you know that praying for your partner has scientific benefits? Check out this study from Florida Statue University for a breakdown of how prayer affects commitment.

Relational Authority is a powerful tool, which invites people into bringing themselves to the conversation as they are. Check out this valuable article by Springtide Research Institute on relational wellness and how you can practice it in your relationships.

"Gray Divorce", a term used to describe those over the age of 50 experiencing divorce, has nearly doubled since 1990. Yet, little is known about the economic impact of these statistics. Check out this study from Journals of Gerontology to learn more.

Communio President JP De Gance joined Greg, Brad, and Brian at REimagine Podcast to discuss the organization’s work with marriages in churches and what they can do to take the first step to make marriage ministry a front porch for the church's evangelization.

"Yes" a word that can express the heart of being a wife—and more generally the heart of being human. The marriage proposal symbolizes the rich, lifelong yes of choosing each other every day.

Dr. Mark Regnerus joins Albert Mohler for a conversation about the future of Christian marriages. Listen to this discussion on the latest episode of Thinking in Public.

Marriage remains a defining landmark in the lives of more well-off, college-educated Americans. But it is well on the path to obsolescence among the less educated, poor, and working class. In other words, marriage adds another dimension to the nation’s inequality, one that both explains and perpetuates America’s divisions. Read this fascinating article from American Compass below.

As Texas ends its mask mandate and restrictions on public gatherings, churches in Midland and Odessa – home to Communio’s second City Platform in the Permian Basin – are launching a wave of new outreach and engagement over the next 30 days to support marriages.

Sanctuary’s director of missions and outreach, Sean Ray, tells us that every one of the paid registrations for the in-person portion of the event came in through the digital campaign Communio designed and ran – 75 percent of them are not members of the church.

“The biggest success,” said Fr. Charles, “was to see a completely new team of workers. Christian, Sloan, Maria, Rachel, Antonio...a completely new team of workers who set up and cleaned up.  It was a marvel to my eyes."

We all have that one couple that we look up to - the one we try to emulate our relationships after. How do the role models in our lives step into that leadership role? Check out this article by Prepare & Enrich for a few tips on becoming a positive example for others.

The pandemic has been hard on children. Sibling screaming matches seem louder, now that they have no where to go and nothing to do. Provide the parents in your congregation with the resources they need to mediate arguments with this helpful article from Irish Times.

Falling in love is exhilarating, but that feeling isn’t the key to a happy relationship or compassionate love. Check out this article by the Atlantic, for a rundown of how to find contentment in your relationships during any season of life.

New research suggests that children who grow up in warm and loving homes have a better chance to become compassionate adults. Learn more about this interesting Finish research project at the link below.

Children are some of the world's greatest communicators. Enjoy a breakdown of all you'll need for marital bliss by this Kindergarten classroom.

Marriage has been on a downhill trajectory for generations, but with millennials, it's a free fall. Why is this? Check out some of the latest research by Bentley University and Pew Research Center for a comprehensive analysis of this detached generation and where we go from here.

"If we were more honest about the so called challenges of wedded bliss, we'd all be better off." American culture demands for more transparency in marriage. Elle suggests that couples should embrace each moment without the pressure of labeling. “There are moments of both joy and suffering in any relationship, but the sacredness of marriage is weathering the storm.”

Research shows that the psychologically flexible person excels in family life. Characterized by their open-mindedness and independent thinking, they have the ability to embrace every moment. Learn more about how the church can encourage these qualities at the link below.

The instinct to nurture was embedded in male biology from the beginning of creation. Though, nowadays, men have stepped into a more providing role, research shows that our early fathers were caretakers. Read more from this counter-cultural article at the link below.

Different from our City Platforms, this catalytic two-year project will recruit and equip an ecumenical network of five of the largest Protestant and Catholic churches in the county with Communio’s proven change model, digital outreach services, and consultative support to pivot toward marriage and relationship-focused and engagement in 2021.

The question, "why" is no stranger to parents. However in a year that's left everyone wondering why, parents are finding themselves stumbling over how to answer this difficult and pressing question - "why are we still at home?" Check out this article by the Child and Family blog for tips on how to guide parents through this difficult season of transparency with their children.

American's attitudes about marriage are changing and these trends are consistent with attitudes surrounding morality, which has moved in a less traditional direction. For some of the latest news on these kinds of discoveries, check out this article by Gallup.

The Marriage Foundation released an interesting research paper on the effects of childhood stability in non-married families. For a breakdown of this research, check out the link below.

Need a good laugh? Check out this compilation of hilarious tweets that perfectly depict the good, the bad, and the humorous parts of marriage.

Studies are now showing a link between paternal depression and a child's internalizing of negative emotions. Read more on this groundbreaking discovery by Psy Post study at the link below.

Studies are now showing a link between paternal depression and a child's internalizing of negative emotions. Read more on this groundbreaking discovery by Psy Post study at the link below.

The affects of a father's presence in the household are psychologically exponential for a child's development. That is why promoting responsible fatherhood should be at the forefront of every organizations priorities list. Check out this article by IFS as they share the lengths being taken to promote this kind of environment in black communities.

Cohabitation is the new norm. Shifting gender roles and expectations, the delay of marriage, and a secularizing culture are leading more American adults to believe that moving in together before tying the knot is a good idea. A recent Barna study asked Americans their views on cohabitation: the pros, cons, motivations, and effects of living together prior to marriage. Gain insight into this cultural shift with the article at the link below.

The way that families relate to one another is dependent on generational patterns. Check out this article by Psychology today, as they shed light on simple adjustments families can make to better connect. 

The pandemic has brought historic challenges to parents, as they have had to manage their children, while working from home. At this point in the year, many parents are feeling burnt out. Read this article to learn about how they are coping

Springtide Research Institute asked over 2,000 young people, ages 13–25, what they are planning and how they are feeling about this winter holiday season and their answers consisted of two things: rituals and relationships. 

Save yourself the time it would take you to navigate to your google search bar and check out this list of must read marriage blogs by marriage experts, Love Thinks!

Nearly all US couples believe that it is possible to have a career, raise a healthy family, and stay in love, but does data support this ideolody? Check out this article by Barna for a breakdown of statistics and helpful insight for making it work.

We live in a tumultuous time. Like all living organisms, love in a marriage needs to be nourished to thrive. What works for one may not work for another, and what worked once may not work now. Therefore, we frequently need to focus on and tend to the health of one’s marriage and not take its existence or our spouse for granted. Check out this article with some simple and practical tips for keeping love strong in today's marriages.

We live in a tumultuous time. Like all living organisms, love in a marriage needs to be nourished to thrive. What works for one may not work for another, and what worked once may not work now. Therefore, we frequently need to focus on and tend to the health of one’s marriage and not take its existence or our spouse for granted. Check out this article with some simple and practical tips for keeping love strong in today's marriages.

Statistics following this years pandemic are predicting a decrease in the number of divorces, since spouses are able to spend more time together working on issues. To read more, check out the link below.

Statistics following this years pandemic are predicting a decrease in the number of divorces, since spouses are able to spend more time together working on issues. To read more, check out the link below.

Interfaith marriages are far more common than that of marriages between two individuals of opposing political parties. Studies are showing that only 4% of people willingly marry into marriages with different political affiliations. To read more about these interesting statistics, click the link below.

Helen Alvaré, an internationally recognized scholar on the family and an advisor to the Holy See, and Jared Smyth, Communio’s national director of church strategy, host an exclusive discussion on how the current crisis can be a time for renewing the Church.

Communio quickly developed an online toolbox of free and inexpensive digital resources and outreach strategies pastors can leverage to serve marriages at this time of crisis. We call it the COVID Crisis Toolbox for Relationships.

Will marriage be the next victim of COVID-19? Join Communio and the nation's leading sociologist on marriage – Dr. Brad Wilcox – to learn about the challenges and opportunities for marriages during this COVID-19 pandemic.

One of Communio’s most dynamic church clients, LCBC Church, hosted its largest ever Outreach Event with more than 6,200 attending their “Great Date” experience on 13 of its campuses across central and southern Pennsylvania.

Communio is replicating its model across Martin, Midland, and Ector counties – home to the sister cities of Midland and Odessa.

Communio, a national nonprofit that consults with churches to leverage data insights and ministry best practices to strengthen marriages and relationships, has launched its first new City Platform this summer.

Communio just launched its largest initiative ever and first citywide project of 2020. Local donors have provided start-up funding for Communio to build its fourth, family-strengthening, City Platform in Tarrant County, Texas – home of Fort Worth.

Communio President JP De Gance sat down with John Stonestreet at The BreakPoint Podcast to discuss the organization’s work with local Christians in Jacksonville, Florida to reduce the divorce rate by a historic 24% over three years.

Communio is launching a three-year initiative to equip local churches in Denver, CO to strengthen marriages, reduce divorce, and grow their congregations through Data-Informed, Full-Circle Relationship Ministry™.

The 100-year old St. Matthew Catholic Church in Conshohocken, Pa. will become a model for parish renewal in the Archdiocese of Philadelphia by implementing Communio’s Data-Informed, Full-Circle Relationship Ministry™.

Communio just wrapped up another successful two-day training and planning session with one of the most influential Mainline Protestant churches in the United States – the historic Truro Anglican Church in Fairfax.

by John-Paul De Gance, October 20, 2019 12:00 AM: Marriage season is in full swing. Early autumn has become the most popular season to marry, as more and more couples choose an October wedding. In fact, October lays claim to three of America’s most popular wedding dates.

By Leonardo Blair, Christian Post Reporter: A faith-based nonprofit in Virginia that uses data tools to help churches build more effective relationship ministries could have already helped drive down divorce rates in Florida’s most populous city.

A faith-based marriage enrichment program developed in Jacksonville appears to have driven divorce rates down. Can the model be replicated? In 2017, something unprecedented took place in Jacksonville, Florida. The Jacksonville Baptist Association and local Catholic Diocese joined forces to co-sponsor a large marriage education and enrichment program for the Duval County area. What inspired local Catholics and evangelicals to come together was a privately funded community campaign to strengthen marriage. Over a three-year period, an organization called the Culture of Freedom Initiative (COFI) worked with about 50 Protestant and Catholic churches and over 40 local nonprofits to reach about 50,000 adults in Jacksonville…

NEWSWEEK – Anyone who's experienced divorce knows the tragic consequences. It's hard on the adults, the kids and anyone else connected to it. In an age where common ground is hard to find, there's been widespread agreement in academic and political circles about the importance of family stability in the lives of children and communities across the country. Yet there's also been a real sense of fatalism about our ability to do anything about it. Changing something as important as divorce rates has seemed about as possible as changing the weather to many experts and social scientists.

With Communio’s help, LCBC Church, with more than 18,000 adult attendees, is now making relationship ministry for singles, married, those preparing for marriage, and those in crisis their number one priority in 2020.

WASHINGTON EXAMINER – To understand the vast gap in efficacy between government work to promote healthy marriages and the work of civil society, one privately funded project, now called Communio, worked with local organizers and churches to produce a sharp decline in divorce in Jacksonville, Fla., by 24% over three years. The program cost just 0.8% of the cost per person of the federal program, which was created during the Bush administration.

Since 1950, we have seen a 30% drop in marriage rates. This breakdown is affecting America’s social fabric and communities in profound ways.

VOX – Today, members of the millennial generation are ages 23 to 38. These ought to be prime years of careers taking off and starting families, before joints really begin to ache. Yet as a recent poll and some corresponding research indicate, there’s something missing for many in this generation: companionship.

Communio President JP De Gance joins Traci DeVette Griggs on Family Policy Matters, a weekly radio show from the North Carolina Family Policy Council, to discuss how Communio operates and what it is doing differently to strengthen marriages and limit divorces.

Communio President JP De Gance continues his conversation with Traci DeVette Griggs on Family Policy Matters, a weekly radio show from the North Carolina Family Policy Council. He discusses how Communio equips churches with Big Data tools and relationship ministry best practices to strengthen marriages in a community.

Do Millennials Believe in God? Communio’s President JP De Gance sits down with Blanquita Cullum on The Hard Question – a local Chicago-based show broadcast locally on WCGO and on Soundcloud – to share our key findings on the direct relationship between the strength of married life and active faith practice. They also discuss the launch of Communio’s first City Platform in Billings, Montana as well as our plans to scale into new cities in 2019.

Faith is Falling Because the Family is in Freefall Communio’s President JP De Gance sits down with Bill Martinez on Bill Martinez Live – a nationally syndicated conservative talk show – to share our key findings on the direct relationship between the strength of married life and active faith practice. They also discussed the launch of Communio’s first City Platform in Billings, Montana as well as our plans to scale into new cities 2019.

THE WEEK – According to a recent YouGov survey, some 30 percent of American millennials say that they are "lonely." More than 20 percent report that they have no friends; a quarter claim to have no close ones. Many even insist that they have no "acquaintances," which should, one hopes, be impossible. But I wonder. For even younger people, in so-called "Generation Z," the figures are even bleaker.

NATIONAL AFFAIRS – Communio…used the latest marketing techniques to "microtarget" outreach, engaged local churches to maximize its reach and influence, and deployed skills training to better prepare individuals and couples for the challenges they might face. [Communio] highlights how employing systems thinking and leveraging the latest in technology and data sciences can lead to significant progress in addressing our urgent marriage crisis.

JP DeGance, president and CEO of Communio, discusses the proven, data-informed strategies that strengthen families, marriages, and faith.