Creating a Thirst for Even More Than a Marriage
Forty-four years ago I made a commitment that many today would call foolish, old-fashioned or perhaps even scary. I said, “I do” and “till death do us part” to Karen Holleen. When I was only 21.
Across the United States and around the world, more and more people are waiting to say, “I do,” or are even saying, “I don’t.” They are postponing marriage or skipping it altogether—choosing instead to create a family without that piece of paper, that blind commitment to be faithful to this person regardless of what life brings along.
Or they are simply saying, “I do no longer,” and are calling it quits.
What does this mean for our churches, for our culture? How do these realities change the premarital conversation in which many pastors, counselors and small-group leaders make a powerful investment?
It makes it more challenging, for sure. But surely it also forces our church leaders to dig deep and consider what’s truly at the root of a great marriage that lasts. As two people are considering a lifetime together, how can we help them make that decision?
Marriage is not impossible without Christ. We all know couples with strong, loving marriages who don’t know our Savior. Yet surely marriage is more possible with Christ. Surely He gives us greater ability to weather the storms that always come when two imperfect people unite their lives. And surely there’s something transcendent in the marriage of a man and woman whose goal is to become more like their heavenly bridegroom and serve as a picture of His relationship with His church.
In this issue of EFCA Today, you read about the strength that marriage brings to our culture. You also heard leader after leader agonize over how to create a thirst for the beauty of marriage, and what to say when the couple standing before them isn’t ready for the challenging times ahead.
May this issue spark new thinking and renewed conversations in your church. May we be a movement whose dialog about marriage draws in those with thirsty hearts to know their true bridegroom. And may our own marriages reflect what we desire for others.
Letter From the President
FORTY-FOUR YEARS AGO I MADE A COMMITMENT that many today would call foolish, old-fashioned or perhaps even scary. I said, “I do” and “till death do us part” to Karen Holleen. When I was only 21.
Across the United States and around the world, more and more people are waiting to say, “I do,” or are even saying, “I don’t.” They are postponing marriage or skipping it altogether—choosing instead to create a family without that piece of paper, that blind commitment to be faithful to this person regardless of what life brings along.
Or they are simply saying, “I do no longer,” and are calling it quits.
What does this mean for our churches, for our culture? How do these realities change the premarital conversation in which many pastors, counselors and small-group leaders make a powerful investment?
It makes it more challenging, for sure. But surely it also forces our church leaders to dig deep and consider what’s truly at the root of a great marriage that lasts. As two people are considering a lifetime together, how can we help them make that decision?
Marriage is not impossible without Christ. We all know couples with strong, loving marriages who don’t know our Savior. Yet surely marriage is more possible with Christ. Surely He gives us greater ability to weather the storms that always come when two imperfect people unite their lives. And surely there’s something transcendent in the marriage of a man and woman whose goal is to become more like their heavenly bridegroom and serve as a picture of His relationship with His church.
In this issue of EFCA Today, you read about the strength that marriage brings to our culture. You also heard leader after leader agonize over how to create a thirst for the beauty of marriage, and what to say when the couple standing before them isn’t ready for the challenging times ahead.
May this issue spark new thinking and renewed conversations in your church. May we be a movement whose dialog about marriage draws in those with thirsty hearts to know their true bridegroom. And may our own marriages reflect what we desire for others.