Marriage Ministry Ideas
Visit The Networks to find contact information for each congregation if interested
in learning more about these ideas.
Ideas from the North Wisconsin Network

  • "Covenant Celebration" to encourage and support faith and marriage. Included a six
    week sermon series, Bible study on covenant, "Fireproof your Marriage" home studies
    and Celebration Event on week 7 with Renewal of Covenants in worship. Download their
    information sheet to checkout all the details for both their Covenant Celebration and
    Couples Valentines Dinner and Movie Event. (St. Luke's Lutheran - Wisconsin Rapids)

  • In evaluating the assessment information, it was decided to promote events that would
    support healthy marriages.  St. Luke’s promoted the film “Fireproof” with a special
    congregation movie night cosponsored by the local Christian radio station and door prizes
    to those who attended.  This was followed up by a small group Bible study based on the
    movie materials.  Then a Couples Valentine’s Dinner was hosted to celebrate marriage
    which included a viewing of the movie “Fireproof” in 2009.  We have continued the
    Couples Valentine Dinner in 2010 and2011 using other programming after the meal.  (St.
    Luke’s – Wisconsin Rapids)

  • It was determined that St. Luke’s did not have a consistent marriage/wedding policy.  
    Pastor Tom Graves researched marriage policies and spent a weekend at Christ Lutheran
    Church in Overland Park, KS.  He learned about their process and policy and brought it
    back to St. Luke’s to be adopted by our elders.  The adoption of the new policy is in
    process.  (St. Luke’s – Wisconsin Rapids, WI)

  • In fall of 2009, St. Luke’s had a sermon and Bible study series written by Pastor Tom
    Graves on Covenant.  This grew out of the Fireproof Your Marriage materials but was
    broader to apply to people in all stages of life, married or unmarried.  Another round of
    the “Fireproof” small group marriage studies were also held at this time.  The series
    concluded with a Vow Renewal Ceremony for the entire congregation followed by a
    banquet meal. (St. Luke’s – Wisconsin Rapids, WI)

  • In 2010, St. Luke’s continued to celebrate marriage by hosting a vow renewal ceremony
    followed by a catered meal.  All couples celebrating an anniversary of a 5 year milestone
    were invited to attend.  This first year five couples participated bringing picture albums
    and sharing during meal.  We plan this to be an annual event.  St. Luke’s also
    acknowledges all anniversaries in the bulletin, in the newsletter and in the prayers
    weekly.  We also plan to include a marriage enrichment study during our Sunday morning
    Adult Education hour once a year for 6-8 weeks.  In the fall of 2010, we offered the study:
    “Marriage Built to Last” by Chip Ingram. (St. Luke’s – Wisconsin Rapids, WI)

  • "Celebration of Marriage" event to celebrate couples who have been married 25+ years.
    Download their event description to get all the details. (Faith Lutheran - Chippewa Falls)

  • Faith is making plans to introduce "10 Great Dates" curriculum from marriagealive.com
    by Claudia and David Arp. (Faith - Chippewa Falls)

  • "Marriage Mentors" created to strengthen Zion marriages through support and guidance
    of other married couples. (Zion Lutheran - Aniwa)

  • Zion used the Five Love Languages material by Gary Chapman as an Adult Bible study in
    the summer. (Zion Lutheran - Aniwa)

  • Updated pre-marriage materials with pastor (Zion – Aniwa)

  • Marriage programs include: movie night, continuing “I Still Do,” newly wed follow-up, and
    “Five Love Languages” (Zion – Aniwa)

  • Recognize anniversaries one Sunday a month in the church bulletin and in the Pastoral
    Prayer. (Trinity – Ironwood, MI – Wisconsin Network)

  • On the Sunday nearest Valentine’s Day, have those couples celebrating anniversaries
    ending in a 0 or 5 come forward for a renewal of vows. (Trinity – Ironwood, MI –
    Wisconsin Network)

  • February 2011 we asked couples to share how they met their spouse and began their life
    together (Trinity – Ironwood, MI – Wisconsin Network)

  • Following an initial interview with the pastor, taking the “Prepare – Enrich” survey and
    following discussion, pre-married couples meet with three mentor couples from the
    congregation to discuss their marriages.  Twenty-five couples have come together to be
    marriage mentors to those preparing for marriage. (Zion – Colby)

  • Pastoral re-evaluation of pre-marriage materials (Trinity – Athens, WI)

  • Congregational participation in “40 Days of Love” – a preaching and small group
    curriculum on strengthening and enhancing relationships. (Trinity – Athens, WI)

  • Anniversary Announcements, “Making Marriage Work” class, Marriage event, and
    marriage enrichment class. (Immanuel – Wisconsin Rapids, WI)
The Family Friendly Partners Network