I am convinced that a good ministry is linked to a great marriage. While it is possible to have a poor marriage and appear to have a great ministry, it won’t last. Sooner or later your ministry will reflect what is taking place in your marriage. Strong marriages produce great ministries. I want to share with you ten things that a great marriage will produce in your ministry.

10. A great friendship. The ministry can be a lonely place. That is why becoming best friends with your spouse is absolutely essential. From her perspective, she should have  confidence that you are her best friend. From your perspective, becoming best friends with your spouse will be a great incentive to keep your marriage vows ever before you. Enjoy the friendship that the Lord wants to create.

  9. A great example. Pretty much everyone knows that marriage is under attack today. There are very few sources available that consistently demonstrate marriages that could serve as a pattern for others. While not flaunting your marriage and bragging about how wonderful your home is, you can quietly and consistently be the example of what a Biblical marriage looks like. This will be a great blessing in your ministry. 

  8. A great prayer support. As a pastor you pray with many people throughout the day. Having a great prayer partnership with your spouse will be a wonderful support to both of you as you reach people in your ministries. When there are no unresolved issues between the marriage partners, a great blessing of answered prayer can take place. That’s what Peter is speaking about in 1 Peter 3:7.

  7. A great demonstration. As the pastor and wife, a great opportunity exists to demonstrate a servant-like spirit before the church family. As the husband, you serve your home and family. As the wife, you have the opportunity of serving your husband and your family. Ultimately you both have the opportunity of serving the Lord God. Marriages that are not based upon selfish and self-centered demands, but rather based upon a Godly servant spirit, will be a great demonstration of what the Lord wants to do in lives in the local church.

  6. A great illustration. Before your church family, God wants to consistently illustrate the relationship of Christ and his local church. He greatly desires to use you and your marriage to show how the church should respect the Lord and how indeed the Lord loves the church. This should be a vivid, unmistakable illustration.

  5.  A great security. In a typical day, most pastors experience many change of plans, sudden disappointments, and at times bewilderment at the lack of commitment even in the best of churches. What a great and delightful security takes place in Godly marriages!

 4.  A great spotlight. God is in the process of raising up men and women who will become leaders for Him. Godly leaders who are committed to their spouses will be used of the Lord to spotlight the characteristics He desires. Ultimately this is not a spotlight upon you. It actually is a spotlight on what the Lord is doing in the life of a surrendered servant. Building a great marriage is one of the great activities of the Lord our God. He does this through humble, Godly servants who walk with Him.

 3. A great testimony. What a great opportunity God gives you to demonstrate the matter of trust! As a pastor, the church family really wants to trust you. As they see your trustworthiness as it relates to your marriage, they then can be assured that you can be trusted in your ministry.

 2. A great safeguard. Contrary to the typical belief among laymen, pastors are tempted regularly, and many face severe temptations daily. A healthy, intimate, growing, and vibrant marriage will provide a safeguard when temptation comes. 

 1. A great partnership. Paul wrote to Timothy about being “the husband of one wife” (1Timothy 3:2). He seemed to be saying that he wanted Timothy to become a one-woman kind of man. Do not fantasize. Do not compare other ladies to your wife. Keep your eyes where they belong! Develop a great partnership with the precious wife got has given to you.

While these ten characteristics are true of every marriage, they are especially true for the pastor and his wife. What a great opportunity the Lord gives you to shepherd His people! He wants you to live among them. He wants you to demonstrate what the Lord is doing in and through simple, common people. Our God is great and does wonderful things. Let this be seen in your home and marriage.

                                                                             www.michaelpeck.org