As with any ministry, a participant agreement will help create realistic expectations for group members. It is important to have individuals sign the agreement BEFORE moving forward with the group. It should contain stipulations about confidentiality, attendance, and dating. We not only prohibit dating within a group, but we require that participants put on hold any dating relationship they may already be in prior to the start of group. This may sound extreme, but premature dating can be a distraction from the healing process, as well as an unhealthy coping mechanism. Dating can also dissuade someone from seeking reconciliation when the time comes and is one of the leading causes of higher second-marriage divorce rates.

Resource