Single to Married Seminar
Recap: August 2020 Single to Married Seminar
Over 25 young professional men gathered at a Wisconsin lake house recently to mark the end of the summer with camaraderie, outdoor activities, and a commitment to becoming better men. Hosted by Midtown Cultural Center, the Single to Married Seminar sought to help participants consider and prepare for a happy Christian marriage. In between speedboat rides, barbecues, and late-night bonding around a campfire, participants heard from a variety of speakers about what single men can do now to prepare for life as a husband and father.
With a combined 100+ years of marriage between them, the speakers at the the Single to Married seminar provided attendants with profound insights to Christian marriage. Through life experiences, they delved into what keeps marriages together and shed light on why marriages fall apart. They offered insight to relationships, dating and marriage that came with experience.
A licensed marriage and family therapist, Doug Hinderer kicked off the seminar by pulling from experiences from the couples he’s worked with in the past. For young men preparing for marriage, Doug spoke of the importance of entering marriage with the correct expectations. In marriage, a man’s responsibility is for his wife and children.
Pulling more from his personal experiences, John Kestler shared wisdom as if teaching his grandsons valuable life lessons. He spoke of the importance of being a man for others – not only with a few people, but living selflessly in every interaction. A male cannot enter a relationship with a female expecting it to change him into a caring and loving person. He must understand that this love is not about him; it’s about who receives it. Just because someone is “in love” does not mean they are loving.
Since most of those in attendance are still dating, as opposed to being in a steady relationship, Bob Barder shed light on how to date with intention. It’s easy to fall into the dating game passively which is the reason dates would be fruitless, no matter how many you went on. Not only does dating with intention give the man an idea of where to go with a date, but it’s also attractive to a woman because they know the man is genuinely invested in her. A man must be trustworthy, strong and take initiative.
The final session featured three women who shared insights only a woman can. Mother of four and immigrant from Spain Maria Keller provided a perspective not only of being from another country and culture but of how her husband, Joe, keeps her grounded and composed during moments of stress. Full time mother of two, Patsy Carter offered insight to how she and her husband Sam are able to communicate effectively while caring for their children. Single Chicagoan Monica Hinderer gave the perspective of what goes in the mind of a woman when on a date and what most would look for in a man.
Aside from marriage, all these talks, including the women’s panel, was about what it is to be a man. Selfless, kind, trustworthy, strong, were all words constantly repeated by speakers, including the women’s panel. This is a journey every male needs to embark upon, not for the sake of helping himself, but for the sake of helping others. Before he can be married and a man to himself, he must first be a man for others.
2021 Summer Seminar
Details and registration for next year’s seminar will be announced on this website. Click here for information on young professionals activities and events throughout the year.