Marriage
“Great marriages never happen by accident, but will thrive with a vision for Christ at their center, intentional effort and the right tools.” God provides the vision, you provide the effort and your Marriage Ministry will give you the tools.
God designed marriage to be a reflection of the relationship Christ has with the church, and because He is the master Designer, His plan works best. Many couples do not see the need to put intentional effort into their marriage until they have drifted apart and have a hard time remembering the good in their relationship. Some look everywhere except to the Designer to find out how to have a better relationship, when the solution that brings true joy and fulfillment comes through a more fully intentional other-centered focus over time.
The Marriage Ministry’s vision is that couples would understand the fullness of God’s view of them as individuals, His plan for their marriage, and the roles He has designed for husbands and wives. Through God’s grace, our mission is to give couples the training and tools to become godly men and women who impact their families, the church and the community with Christ’s love.
The Marriage Ministry functions like a “Fitness Center” focused on bringing strength to relationships – whether by offering dating, engaged or married couples a relationship evaluation, preparing couples for marriage, or providing biblical resources to strengthen and enhance any marriage. All couples will benefit through regular quality time together, meeting with like-minded couples, and building the spiritual, emotional and mental strength to protect their marriages.
We offer resources in four key areas, all focused on encouraging and equipping you and your spouse to develop the loving, vital, abundant Christ-centered marriage God intended for you.
- Evaluate your relationship: Marriage Proactive (and Prepare/Enrich for couples thinking about marriage) provides a multi-page relationship inventory report that will identify strengths and growth areas in your relationship and give you resources and proactive enrichment tools.
- Consider marriage and plan for it together: Professionally-led Preparing for Marriage classes will help you evaluate your relationship and begin building the right foundation for your life together in marriage. This class is a must for engaged couples.
- Grow and strengthen your marriage: Our Growing Your Marriage (GYM) small group studies and First5 enrichment class for newly married couples are led by skilled facilitators and allow you to meet with like-minded couples to learn and grow together.
- Deal with relationship struggles: Marriage 911 is designed to support and encourage individuals who are in a marital challenge. It focuses on the individual, giving hope and strength for lives in crisis.
Other resources to enhance and protect your marriage are listed on the left side of this page. To learn more about any of these resources or to schedule an appointment with our Marriage Pastor, please call the Marriage Ministry office at 480-824-7238.
