Living Together: A Guide to Counseling Unmarried Couples
Millions of couples are living together rather than getting married.  Pastors and counselors need this book.  It not only provides a biblical perspective, but it also brings the best social research to bear on this important subject.  Those who live together before they get married are putting their future marriage in danger. (Kerby AndersonProbe Ministries2004-08-15)In this much needed book, experienced pastor and counselor Jeff Van Goethem provides solid help for both the pastoral and professional counselor. He gives insight into the mindset of the modern cohabiting couple, reinforces the biblical view of marriage as a sacred covenant, and offers practical applications for counseling situations. 'Pastors and counselors need this book. It not only provides a biblical perspective, but it also brings the best social research to bear on this important subject.' (Kerby AndersonProbe Ministries International2005-04-20)"Pastors may find the sample counseling and church policy regarding cohabitation in the appendixes worth the price of the book." (Cindy CrosbyChristianity Today2005-05-01)"This interesting and sobering study of cohabitating treats a subject upon which little has been written. The author writes out of his experience as a pastor and familiarity with what has been written on this theme. The presentation is well rooted in what the Bible has to say about marriage. The book is a practical presentation of situations which present themselves to pastors. If there are clear policies laid down and followed by the church and its pastor, many heartaches and church conflicts will be avoided. The reader will identify with situations similar to those presented in the book. This book should be widely read." (Christian Observer2005-03-01)"Pastors, counselors and chaplains today had better be prepared to effectively deal with these issues for the sake of all. This resource is the key to doing just that. Jeff VanGoethem's book is the equivalent of a seminary course of the Theology of Marriage. He offers models for counseling unmarried couples and shows how to draw up a policy for marrying couples who live together (which can be referred to) along with a working form for the reader to use. He instructs pastors how to spot red flags when interviewing couples and the danger of letting any red flags slip by. I plan to read his book a second time (slowly) in order to not miss anything in it." (Rev. Austin MilesMichNews.com2006-10-25)"We need more attention to this in the church, IMHO. I feel that heterosexual sin has caused more damage to the body of Christ and children than any other sin and yet the church is virtually silent on the issue. I wonder if one of the reasons pastors hesitate to speak up is because it would touch so many lives? Or maybe it's just a desire not to hurt people's feelings. The shame of it is that so many children these days suffer dramatic and lifelong consequences from their parents not being married, or broken marriages due to sin, and the silence seems to only make things continue downhill." (Rev. Austin Milesagapepress.org2006-10-01)Living Together is the most complete, in-depth book to be found on this much-too-neglected subject. It provides direction to the delicate task of effectively counseling live-in couples; such as, what questions to ask, back-up statistics, plus legal questions and problems that cannot be avoided by refusing to marry. (Rev. Austin Milescrosswalk.com2006-11-22)Pastors, counselors and chaplains today had better be prepared to effectively deal with these issues for the sake of all. Living Together is the key to doing just that. VanGoethem's book is equivalent of a seminary course of The Theology of Marriage. He offers models for counseling unmarried couples and shows how to draw up a policy for marrying couples who live together (which can be referred to) along with a working form for the reader to use. He instructs pastors how to spot red flags when interviewing couples and the danger of letting any red flags slip by. I plan to read his book a second time (slowly) in order to not miss anything in it. (Rev. Austin Milescrosswalk.com2006-11-22)