How to Have a thriving Marriage Ministry in your church

Years ago, my and I had to go through a tough time when our eldest son went through a divorce. We realized that many churches have ministries that help divorced couples, but not a lot of churches have a thriving marriage ministry as an ongoing part of the church. So, we said enough was enough and began working our way through creating a marriage that could thrive week in and week out. At first, we had 2 couples that caught the vision with us, and we were one of the couples! We sat at a round table in the gymnasium of our our church and drank coffee discussing our marriages and what made them work, and what work still needed to be done. That was how it all began; real conversations sharing about real situations in our lives. If felt like a support group to me, but one I really wanted to participate in voluntarily.

What happened next was nothing short of a miracle. We talked to young couples to come, and we would have children’s ministry available while we met. We had coffee, and a real time of prayer and concern. I would put tougher some short lessons on topics that the group would input for discussion. The group grew quickly and we realized how important this new ministry was, not just for younger couples, but even for those couples that were seasoned veterans in their marriage. We had such an intimate time of couple worship, and the safe zone of sharing even the most intricate details of marriage mess-ups. Very few couples that came to the group left after “trying it out.” This ministry was of how importance to these 20 plus couples now coming.

So, here are a few tried and true steps to beginning a marriage ministry in your church: 1. Pray. 2. Get the church’s leadership on board. 3. Promote it. 4. Start where you are. Two couples can ignite into twenty couples. We have seen it in more than one church happen. 5. Make it sustainable. 6. Be patient, good ministry takes time. 7. Be creative for everyone’s sake! 8. Let other’s in on the leadership 9. Begin smaller groups from within the group 10. Share your success with others.

Need help? Contact me, and I can help you begin.