In Florida, a church leader has called on parishioners to engage in daily sexual activity for a month to address the high divorce rates in America.
Pastor Paul Wirth, who, along with his wife Susie, is participating in this sex marathon challenge, emphasized that couples nationwide are facing challenges in their relationships.
He pointed out that for married individuals, “initially, the sex is fantastic, but then life somehow intervenes.”
Conversely, he noted that singles often find themselves constantly contemplating their desire and thinking, “I wish I could experience it as much as possible.”
This fixation, he suggested, sometimes hinders single individuals from forming strong, healthy relationships later in marriage.
However, Mr. Wirth’s proposal for his single congregants differs from that intended for married couples. He encourages singles to refrain from sexual activity for a full 30 days.
As the lead pastor of the Relevant Church located in Ybor City, near Tampa, he presented his month-long sex challenge to attendees during a Sunday sermon series focusing on relationships.
He claimed that this initiative could contribute to reducing America’s divorce rate, which currently stands at 50 percent.
He referenced a recent study indicating that 20 million married Americans engage in sexual activity fewer than 10 times annually.
Multiple factors, including work commitments, home responsibilities, and parenting, often interfere, he noted. He expressed the belief that men must reassess their wives’ needs.
“We commonly return home, kick off our shoes, grab the remote, neglect to assist with dinner or the children, and then expect fireworks in the bedroom,” he shared with the media.
Husbands must attend to their wives’ emotional needs, he emphasized.
Pastor Wirth remarked that the call for 30 days of sex has gained both national and international attention, highlighting the prolonged silence of churches on the topic of sex.
“God discusses love and is the author of love. He desires for us to be intimate and connected with one another daily,” he stated.
Relevant Church, which has been in operation for three years, identifies as a casual, contemporary Christian church, specifically catering to urban professionals and young families.
In previous sermons, Mr. Wirth has used the popular movie Shrek The Third to illustrate “the outcomes of trusting God.”
He clarified that his recent challenge extends beyond mere physical connection, as couples are encouraged to meet each other’s emotional and spiritual requirements. Participants are asked to complete an emotional needs questionnaire, enabling their partners to identify what’s missing and strategize on fulfilling those requirements.
The objective is to assist couples in rediscovering their marital bond. Although the challenge lasts for a month, Pastor Wirth believes that those 30 days can lead to lasting change.
