Marriage matters small group lastnight was especially great with a 52 inch screen watching Arizona’s Cardinals barely pull it off in HD.

WOW close one.

A student at Central Bible College had an assignment this past week and ask me to help him with it.

Here is his email to me.

Pastor Lummer, I am having to write a paper on how to have an effective ministry for married couples. Not only that, but I would like to gain some insight on the importance of having such a ministry and the pros/cons of having one.

I sent him our MARRIAGE MATTERS purpose statement and wanted to share it with you on this post.

Purpose. Marriage Ministry at Prescott First Assembly of God

This ministry lives to be an instrument of the Holy Spirit in obedience to the great commission of our Lord.
Objectives. The objectives of this organization shall include, but not be limited to the following:

Promoting God’s plan for marriage through teaching married couples what the Scriptures teach concerning Christian marriage;

Helping individuals to come to a personal, saving knowledge of and trust in Jesus Christ as their Savior and Lord, “teaching them to observe all things” that Christ commanded;

Betterment of marital and family communications;

Encouragement of couples and families to work toward the ideal in relationships set forth in the Holy Scripture;

Fostering of fellowship, witness, and deep interpersonal sharing in relationships as described in the New Testament;

Providing tools to couples and families for improving their relationship with each other and with God in Christ Jesus;

Gather into fellowship those who will respond and to nurture them.

The Final Test. Does this ministry to married couples work? does it give them a perspective in how life should and  can be lived in obedience to the Holy Spirit while still having a great time doing it.

Marriage is to be a blessing to God’s people, not a burden.