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Who is Emerson? Emerson and Sarah have 3 adult children, Jonathan, David and Joy.
» What's with the high divorce rate in the church? |
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Sarah and Emerson are convinced that a truth hidden in plain sight for 2000 years can make a difference in every marriage. This truth is found in Ephesians 5:33. Husbands must love their wives and wives must respect their husbands.
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Emerson
writes, "You may remember how the Beatles sang, 'All you need is love.'
I absolutely disagree with that conclusion. Five out of ten marriages
today are ending in divorce because love alone is not enough. Yes, love
is vital, especially for the wife, but what we have missed is the
husband's need for respect. This Love and Respect message is about how
the wife can fulfill her need to be loved by giving her husband what he
needs -- respect. And the husband can fulfill his need to be respected
by giving his wife what she needs -- love. Does this always work? No.
But if one is married to a person of good will, I would bet the farm
that it would work!"
Emerson
received his B.A. in Biblical Studies and an M.A. in Communications
from Wheaton College and Graduate school. He was awarded his Masters in
Divinity from Dubuque Seminary. Later, he earned his Ph.D. from
Michigan State University in Child and Family Ecology. Emerson was the
senior pastor of East Lansing Trinity church from 1980 to 1999. He
loved the pastorate in this college town with nearly 45,000 students.
When he came, the church had 450 in attendance, and when he left over
2000 attended. He oversaw a paid staff of 40. He also initiated a
building program, relocating Trinity Church on 70 beautiful acres in
the Lansing area. That was completed in the year 2000.
Focus on the Family is sponsoring many of the Love and Respect Conferences across the nation.
The book Love and Respect (The Love She Most Desires / The Respect He Desperately Needs) won two awards in 2005: the Gold Medallion and Retailers Choice.