An athlete will train hours a day, research the latest techniques, hire personal trainers and psychologists to reach their potential. Entrepreneurs will ride the storms of costly choices, deal with uncertainty in a changing economy, and even undergo the pain of experiencing and recovering from a bankruptcy, to finally realize success. A scholar will undergo intensive research and study, pursue the highest research-oriented degree, and gain mastery in a particular discipline in order to build credibility, affect policy and wield influence. Anything worth doing is worth doing well and most pursuits are not all romance and good days. There are costs involved that will require sacrifice, persistence and discipline. A successful marriage requires no less! Goals must be set, sacrifices made, and it must be understood that there will be difficult times that will challenge the deepest of resolve. Church ministry leaders have the amazing opportunity to affect the very core of society by focusing efforts on strong marriages. I have devised a list of ten ministry ideas to empower marriages in your church:<\/p>\n
Lead by Example<\/strong> <\/p>\n Offer Marriage Counseling<\/strong> <\/p>\n Hold Special Events<\/strong> <\/p>\n Small Groups<\/strong> <\/p>\n Workshops<\/strong> <\/p>\n Conferences<\/strong> <\/p>\n Mentoring programs<\/strong> <\/p>\n
\nAs leaders you not only have the responsibility to accurately represent the word of God through teaching, but also to live out the gospel by example. There are dozens of doctrinal truths demonstrated in marriage that will have as much, if not more, effect than your words, such as: repentance, forgiveness, sanctification, holiness, sacrifice, love, single-mindedness, accountability, authority and structure. A strong marriage is the heart of family, community and society and leaders should do everything they can to ensure they have exemplary marriages.<\/p>\n
\nAn excellent way to help marriages grow and thrive is to make counseling available through the church. See the word of God transform lives and offer biblical solutions to the pressures of marriage. If budgetary constraints prohibit offering counsel, arrange to share counseling resources with other like-minded churches nearby. This program should include counseling singles in their pursuit of the right kind of mate (and preparing to become the right person for someone else), premarital counseling for couples pursuing marriage, and ongoing marriage and family counseling for established couples.<\/p>\n
\nCelebrate marriage! Honor couples married for many years with a special dessert. Encourage friendships and fellowship with special dinners, potlucks and activities. Host a weekend marriage retreat.<\/p>\n
\nCreate smaller communities of married couples to establish useful connections for encouragement, accountability and fellowship. Different groups can be formed based upon couples\u2019 —a young married\u2019s group, couples with adult children or empty nesters can meet for a Sunday school class or a small group during the week.<\/p>\n
\nPlan workshops where couples are able to learn interactively together and grow in their understanding of God and each other. Advocate a way to stimulate thought on working as a team and \u201cmarrying\u201d their distinct gifts and abilities in order to achieve a common goal.<\/p>\n
\nLine up speakers who have ministries to couples, or perhaps someone who has written books on Christian marriage. Whether with the intent of fine-tuning marriages or a desperate attempt to save what\u2019s left in troubled relationships, conferences can offer knowledge, encouragement, biblical solutions and support.<\/p>\n
\nThrough discipleship, a more seasoned couple can offer to take a less experienced couple under their wing to encourage and to share experience and knowledge. This is one of the most effective ways to strengthen marriage in the church. It is based on real people with real experiences reaching out to others in a very practical way.<\/p>\n