Finding A Greater Purpose

We Believe

that in the beginning God created humanity to be in relationship with Him. He created man and woman in His image (Gen. 1:26-27). Adam and Eve were created with a distinct purpose, to work together in God’s kingdom, participating with God by caring for creation and procreating (Gen. 1:28; 2:15). At creation, humanity’s existence was fully focused on God. The physical life and the spiritual life were one together, and God was in their midst (Gen. 1-2).

We Recognize

that we fail to live out God’s intent for husband and wife to participate with God.  Sin entered the world breaking our spiritual and physical connection with God. With this came isolation, shame, fear, guilt, blame, loss of communication, and brokenness. Sin disrupts the marriage relationship and disrupts God’s intent for husband and wife to partner together with Him to work in His Kingdom (Gen. 3).

We Rejoice

that through the death and resurrection of our Lord Christ Jesus, God is calling husbands and wives back to a restored relationship with Him (2 Cor. 5:21). In Christ, God is calling us to participate in this reconciliation (2 Cor. 5:18-20). Through this participation, married couples are called to seek holiness, living lives of love, forgiveness, grace, healing, restoration, submission, and sacrificial living; with each other, within the church family, and toward the larger world of which we are a part. In Christ, husbands and wives participate together in reclaiming the relationship God established at creation, offer hope to others, and seek to reconcile the world back to God.

In Marriage

husband and wife are “one flesh” (Gen. 2:23-24), working together in God’s Kingdom and sharing a common unity and a common purpose (Gen. 2:18). While the specifics of how a husband and wife participate will differ from one couple to another, we believe a husband and wife’s ongoing, joint participation is their intentional choice to please God and serve the cause of Christ (2 Cor. 5:15). We believe God is calling us to live out this gospel of reconciliation as a path for husbands and wives to pursue together for the sake of the world.

     The statement above is a slightly edited version of my church's marriage theology statement.  Why have a marriage theology statement?  If the only difference between Christian marriage and any other marriage is that we go to church on Sunday, what does that say about how we view marriage as a spiritual union?

     God didn’t intend for a husband and wife to share a home, some bills, a bed, and an occasional day off, and that be all there is to marriage. He intends for us to use our marriages to further His kingdom and to be salt and light to the world around us.

     I hope you and your spouse have considered what God is calling you to do as a couple. It doesn’t have to be something “grand” by the world’s standards. Just be intentional.  Have a purpose in your marriage that keeps God at the center of who you are as a couple, and frequently remind each other what your joint participation (your "one flesh" participation) in the Kingdom of God is.

 What is God calling you to in your marriage?

Marriage Enrichment Weekend

August 31-September 2

Fall Creek Falls State Park Inn

Email dfcamp@gmail.com for more info