“ Community draws a person toward faith , the ultimate purpose of the church .”
the stigma . Vision is cast from the pulpit and then infused into every ministry within the church . Marriage enrichment ministry is accessible and supportive for all couples in a church community . Leadership must expect everyone in their church to participate in relationship enrichment ministry . Healthy marriages and relationships should magnetize those around us to Jesus . As the old hymn goes — they will know we are Christians by our love .
Skills are those relationship skills that put virtues into practice . Most anyone knows to love well is to be patient and kind . Learning deep listening skills or how to have a good time out from conflict puts patience and kindness into practice . We want a church to allow individuals and couples to practice the interpersonal and intrapersonal skills that academic research says are critical to flourishing marriages and relationships .
A Christ-centered community reinforces the vision and skills . Research has indicated that couples with close friends who divorce have a 75 % increase in the chances of divorce , 2 which means that cohorts of healthy marriages in congregations are a buffer in preventing divorce . In a world with high amounts of loneliness , divorce , and relationship distress , a church that can create a group of healthy marriages is a light in dark places .
Community draws a person toward faith , the ultimate purpose of the church . Faith is more likely caught than it is taught . People respond first to the emotional pull of the gospel message articulated in a relationship . It ’ s not that sound teaching is unimportant . Instead , it is that people first connect and build trust and friendship within a community before being open to faith instruction . A healthy church community that includes many healthy marriages can be an important entry point for people who need to grow their faith .
“ Community draws a person toward faith , the ultimate purpose of the church .”
The Ministry Engagement Ladder : How to Build a Growing Marriage Ministry
The ladder is a four-step process where a church draws nonmembers and the unchurched into their relationship ministry : ( 1 ) invitation , ( 2 ) outreach , ( 3 ) ongoing engagement , and ( 4 ) growth journey . Through this four-step process , a church actualizes the vision , skills , and community that are the core ingredients for any fruitful relationship ministry that evangelizes .
When looking at the Ministry Engagement Ladder , one objective is to help your church move from thinking they are inviting
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