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Date Posted: 20:41:26 05/06/07 Sun
Author: Rev. Mark McManus
Author Host/IP: 69.144.150.160
Subject: Re: Advice Needed for beginning Marriage Ministry
In reply to: Sandra Stevens 's message, "Advice Needed for beginning Marriage Ministry" on 05:31:37 05/06/07 Sun


dear Sister Sandra,

My wife and I have had a marriage ministry for some time now, and have learned a number of things in the process that may help.

Some of the challenges you will face are this:

Many formalized "group/cell group/community end up being a micro organized church service, which ends up being a little in house group where everyone puts on their church face and plays that part... Uuuugh. This is not...heart to heart fellowship.

Secondly becuase of the sensitivity of marriage, you run right into religious pride. "Well, if I go to a marriage group, someone will think I need it...Uhh Amen? Don't we all. Let your plant go for a month without water...go without food for 40 days... Guess what..Marriages need food!

So here's the good part.

1. Pray... Not for a big group, but a great group.
where the couples who are suppose to be there will be.

2. If you're going to lead it...don't host it...you'll get burnt out. Find a couple who has the same heart and vision, and ask them if they will host.

3. We have spent a year building a foundation in our group, using the (Marriage on the Rock) series by Jimmy Evans..He takes serious subjects, but handles them in a gracious and humerous way...and it doesn's just end up being another "book study" or bible study..(not that bible study isn't great..but you need to stay in the place of a facilitator, not a director.

a. We coffee, and or Tea, and just some "simple" snacks.
b. Start at 7 P.M. done by around....8:30 p.m.

4. Once a month or 6 weeks we just have a big dinner together. Everyone brings something, sometimes we cook stuff together..whatever..DONT GET RELIGIOUS about Order of service...i.e. 7-7:25 Greet...done* 7:25 - 7:45 Pray - 7:45- and on and on and....you get my point. Time "Guidlines" not law.

5. we now have 4 couples in our group maybe a fifth. That's plenty..beleive me. Don't try to start another church,...God will bring who is suppose to come.

Finally... Our group has become like a family, we laugh together, cry together, pray for each other, help with each others burdens, and celebrate each others blessings....The most important couple to have at your group other than God, is Jesus and the Holy Spirit.

Check out the Jimmy Evans series..They are great and we have enjoyed them. He has a great sense of humor in sharing his own walk, yet locks onto the Word of God for couples in covenant. Hope this helps....

God bless you

Pastor Mark

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