John McGee-pre-con lab at D6 Conference

John McGee is director of Marriage Ministry at Watermark Community Church, in Dallas, TX. During his pre-con lab he shared their churches-3 ½ Things

They decided they were going to play offense instead of play defense.

Premarried & newlyweds are often neglected in the church.

Merge-8 week class for premarrieds. 2 hours-1 hour teaching from front, 1 hour at tables with facilitators. Presented a high view of marriage and let couples evaluate if marriage is right for them. After completing the class, couples will go through Prepare/Enrich. Class is offered 5 times a year.

If you are worried about marriage, you will go and find as much information as you can about marriage. This is a great opportunity for the church.

Foundation-Newlywed couples. 18 months. When Sinners Say I Do by Harvey, 2/3 of A Lasting Promise by Stanley, Finances developed by Watermark staff, Sheet Music by Kevin Lehman. Meet every other week in facilitator’s home. Accountability for genders.

Membership requirements: Give, Serve, Grow (small group)

Marriage ministry is an orchard.

Re-engage-Helping couples needing to work on marriage. Offered 52 weeks a year on Wednesdays. Whether you need to reconnect or marriage in crisis. Couple will work through 16 weeks with small group. Homework included. Couples will share their story: adultery, infertility, on brink of divorce, etc. Offer hope-God changes people’s lives and marriages. Made available to other churches in the summer.

Question from room-What are the first steps?: lay out possibilities for the church & what assets do we have in church, start small & do something well, leverage the stories.

½ is marriage conferences, couple check-up or Date Nights (drive through church and pick up bag with coupons, candies, free give aways) Check out marriedpeople.org

Distinictives

Discipleship more than skills

Circles more than rows

Authenticity more than self protecting

The body more than paid staff

Grace & Truth not Grace or Truth

Marriage is a litmus test

John 13:34-35-Charity, chasity, integrity-elements of early church

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