Success in ministry happens when it is not your mistress. Let’s have prevailing marriages and here are a few things I am learning.
#1 Romance
Flowers, letters, cards, walks, candles, gifts for no reason, poexting, and just be The Man (roMANce).
#2 Date Night
Start with Date Night and calendar around it.
#3 Pray over her.
Ephesians 5:25 “Wash her with the word…” Pastor your wife, then shepherd your church.
#4 Your Home then His House
Your leadership begins in the bedroom, living room, then the church room.
#5 Creativity
Song of Solomon will get you started…flowers on the bed, cedar scents, nighties, Hills of Bether and more.
#6 Intentional Public Display of Affection
Your marriage could possibly be your greatest evangelistic tool. Outward affection is rare and people take notice.
#7 Listen
I am learning this and growing in it. Tenderness through listening is the ticket. Don’t try to fix it, just listen.
#8 Physically Fit
Take care of yourself. I have lost 31 lbs this year and my wife shared with me some deep things concerning my lack of physical discipline. This has changed our marriage. I want to look hotter for her than on my wedding day!
Let’s mirror The Bride and The Groom love life that Jesus instituted for us!
Brad says,
This is so awesome. Love it! Live it! Experience the difference!
on 09 February 2011 / 12:20 PM
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on 09 February 2011 / 12:58 PM
heath says,
Too often as men, we let our jobs become an obsession and neglect our wives. Great challenge for us pastoral types!
on 09 February 2011 / 3:33 PM
Penny Ezell says,
Thanks for your model to us all!!
on 09 February 2011 / 4:41 PM
Todd Giesen says,
You nailed it on the head – I am a Pastor who is consumed with my work and worry about my wife at times.
If we rightly love our wives as Christ loves the church, it will have a HUGE outflow to those around us.
I have seen many marriages affected in our ministry since we are different and “lovie” with one another.
Thanks for the reminder and perspective alert.
I tweeted the article link to my Twitter followers…
on 09 February 2011 / 6:27 PM
Shannon O'Dell says,
Good Word Todd!
on 09 February 2011 / 6:38 PM
Thomas Brewer says,
Great insight for ministers! Thanks for sharing how we can better display the love Christ has for each of us. As a friend told me this week of all things Christ could have chosen to picture his relationship with us he used the institution of marriage. We are the bride of Christ and our marriages to our spouses should be a beautiful picture of God’s relationship with his bride!
on 09 February 2011 / 6:41 PM