Marriage

NASHVILLE (BP) -- Pastors and church leaders may feel called upon to be experts when it comes to shepherding the marriages in their congregations, but research shows many don't feel up to the task. In 2015, LifeWay Research found 78 percent of pastors surveyed had at least one couple approach them regarding challenges in their marriage within the past year, and 69 percent of churches didn't have an ongoing marriage ministry.

WAXHAW, N.C. (BP) -- Proverbs 31 Ministries President Lysa Terkeurst is proclaiming God a miracle worker after she reconciled with her husband, whom she said was repeatedly unfaithful and abused substances. She and husband Art renewed their vows near their home in Waxhaw, N.C., but details of the ceremony were not disclosed. "On an unusually sunny Tuesday in December, we dressed up a bit and whispered healing words, heartfelt prayers, and holy vows," she posted on social media platforms after the ...

CAROL STREAM, Ill. (BP) -- Russell Moore's "The Storm-Tossed Family" has been named by Christianity Today as its 2019 Book of the Year, the second time in four years Moore has authored the publication's top honor. Moore's book -- its full title is "The Storm-Tossed Family: How the Cross Reshapes the Home" -- was published in September by the B&H trade books and Bible publishing division of LifeWay Christian Resources of the Southern Baptist Convention. Moore, 47, is president of the SBC's Ethics & Religious Liberty Commission. He and his wife Maria have five sons ranging in age from 7 to 16. His book "Onward: Engaging the Culture Without Losing the Gospel," also published by B&H, was CT's 2016 Book of the Year.

GRAPEVINE, Texas (BP) -- Even a troubled marriage is a profound picture pointing toward the Gospel of Jesus, pastor Ray Ortlund said on the first day of the Southern Baptist Ethics & Religious Liberty Commission's 2018 national conference. Ortlund, lead pastor of Immanuel Church in Nashville, and more than 15 other speakers addressed an audience of about 950 people gathered Thursday (Oct. 11) for "The Cross-shaped Family" at the Gaylord Texan Resort & Convention Center in Grapevine, Texas, a suburb of Dallas. The three-day event will end ...

Melody Schmidt recounts practices that have helped her "do my part in making the early years of our marriage great."

Judge Brett Kavanaugh's nomination to the Supreme Court, Andrew Walker writes, is an opportunity "to reverse historic wrongs and injustices overseen by Supreme Court justices who acted as Philosopher-Kings instead of dispassionate interpreters of the Constitution."

NASHVILLE (BP) -- As discussion of domestic violence persists among evangelicals, seasoned pastors and others who minister to families are advising their ministry colleagues on what to do when they encounter physical abuse in a marriage. At issue in evangelicals' discussions are controversial comments by Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary President Paige Patterson regarding women, divorce and domestic abuse. See Baptist Press' reports here, here and here.

FORT WORTH, Texas (BP) -- Amid ongoing discussion of statements by Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary President Paige Patterson on domestic violence, Patterson and the executive committee of the seminary trustees have issued a statement affirming "the importance of protecting victims of abuse." Meanwhile, at least five Southern Baptist Convention entity presidents have made statements on domestic violence since April 29. Three referenced Patterson by name but did not offer an opinion specifically on his comments. The others commented on domestic violence generally without naming Patterson.

FORT WORTH, Texas (BP) -- Paige Patterson has clarified his view on domestic violence and voiced regret "that the way I expressed that conviction has brought hurt." Patterson, president of Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary, issued a written statement Sunday (April 29) amid discussion on social media of an audio clip from 2000 in which he said the proper response of a wife to domestic abuse "depends on the level of abuse to some degree."

Marriage, Peter Link notes, is a critical choice that defines a person's relationship to God. Couples must connect their lives to "a growing affection for God, because the chief end of Christian marriage is to glorify God and enjoy Him forever," Link writes.