BCNE Hosts Prepare/Enrich Training - Tools for Ministry, Health for Leaders
Fifteen pastors and ministry leaders from across the Baptist Churches of New England (BCNE) gathered at the BCNE Multiplication Center on May 20 for a full-day certification in Prepare/Enrich—a proven, research-based assessment tool that helps couples build stronger relationships and churches grow healthier families.
The training was led by Dr. Chuck Slagen, a licensed psychologist with over 30 years of experience in pastoral counseling and relational assessment. Dr. Slagen, former Executive Director of Hope Psychological Services and adjunct professor at Gordon-Conwell Theological Seminary, has trained hundreds of leaders across New England in the Prepare/Enrich framework. His depth of knowledge and pastoral insight created a rich, hands-on experience for participants.
“Prepare/Enrich is more than a relationship tool—it’s a discipleship platform that helps couples grow in self-awareness, communication, and biblical unity,” said Dr. Slagen. “And when marriages grow strong, churches do too.”
A Vision for Long-Term Leadership Health
This training was part of a broader strategy within the BCNE’s Pastoral Leadership Development ministry to come alongside pastors and leaders for long-term health—spiritually, relationally, emotionally, and physically.
“We don’t just want to resource leaders—we want to walk with them,” said Robby Pitt, Coordinator of Pastoral Development at the BCNE. “We want to help pastors grow in character and integrity of heart. And we do that through relationships, training events like this, webinars, podcasts, coaching, and pastoral cohorts. It’s about encouraging the whole leader.”
The BCNE’s investment in tools like Prepare/Enrich reflects a growing desire to help churches strengthen families and to equip leaders for sustainable ministry.
What Is Prepare/Enrich?
Prepare/Enrich is one of the most trusted and widely used relationship tools for premarital and marriage counseling. Grounded in solid research and adaptable for use in Christian ministry, it assesses key areas such as communication, conflict resolution, personality differences, financial habits, spiritual beliefs, and family background.
Its faith-based version offers biblical language and application points, making it ideal for pastoral counseling, pre-marriage mentoring, small group settings, and community outreach.
Practical Church Impact
Pastors and leaders trained on May 20 walked away with both a certification and a practical plan to implement Prepare/Enrich in their churches and communities. Many plan to use it in premarital counseling, while others see it as a bridge to serve struggling couples in the community—offering Gospel hope and relational healing.
Gregory Byrd, a church planter in Lynn, Massachusetts, shared how it’s already making a difference:
“My wife and I credit the health of our marriage to Prepare/Enrich. Thanks to the certification training offered by the BCNE, we now get to come alongside marriages in our city and have a tool to assist them as well. Grateful to have the BCNE to provide this training.”
By focusing on relational discipleship, Prepare/Enrich helps churches go beyond reactive care and develop a culture of proactive, intentional support for marriages and families.
Looking Ahead
As the BCNE continues to prioritize pastoral development, more training events and resources are being planned to meet the current needs of New England pastors. The goal isn’t simply to train leaders—it’s to support and sustain them for a lifetime of Gospel-centered, fruitful ministry.
As Dr. Slagen concluded,
“When we invest in healthy marriages, we’re investing in the foundation of the church and the future of our communities.”
For more information about Prepare/Enrich or upcoming pastoral development opportunities, visit www.bcne.net or contact Robby Pitt (818.319.2217) or rpitt@bcne.net.
Robby Pitt is the Pastoral Leadership Development Director for the Baptist Churches of New England.