Marriage
Whether your marriage is new, or you’ve been married awhile, it needs your investment. Healthy marriages don’t happen by accident. We desire to help people in a healthy marriage go further and deeper in their relationships with God and each other. When a marriage is strained, we want to help restore it to a place health, intimacy, love, and trust.
Marriage Conference — March 28-29
Now Registering!
Helping Couples Thrive
We’re committed to helping couples begin, build and restore their marriage and home life. That is only accomplished as couples based their marriage on the timeless truths and principles of Jesus Christ. We offer various classes, mentoring opportunities, and resources to help you invest in your marriage.
The Wholehearted Marriage Conference
Fully Engaging Your Most Important Relationship
Join us for the Wholehearted Marriage: Fully Engaging Your Most Important Relationship conference on Friday, March 28 (evening) and Saturday, March 29 (all day). This is a wonderful opportunity to strengthen and enrich your marriage with Dr. Shawn and Christina Stoever, who will share Biblical principles and practical insights to help you grow closer to the Lord and to each other. Shawn and Christina’s transparent and encouraging approach will inspire you as you focus on this cherished relationship. Whether you are married or preparing for marriage, we invite you to invest in your relationship and experience deeper connection. Don’t miss out—we hope to see you there!
Cost: $60 per couple (includes lunch on Saturday). No childcare provided…please make arrangements accordingly so that you can attend the entire conference.
About Shawn and Christina:
Shawn and Christina are passionate about marriage and family and are always eager to share how we can experience fulfillment and joy in life. Whether leading retreats, writing, or appearing on television and radio broadcasts, the Stoever’s humor, enthusiasm, and wisdom allow them to fully connect with us.
Shawn received his doctoral degree specializing in marriage and family therapy. He previously served as WinShape Foundation’s Senior Director, where he oversaw the Foundation’s Marriage, Retreat, Foster Homes, and Experiential Learning ministries. Prior to his role at WinShape, Shawn served as the Director of Training for the Smalley Relationship Center, founded by Gary Smalley. Shawn is co-author of two books: “The Wholehearted Marriage” and “Five Days to a New Marriage.” Christina speaks and leads retreats as an adjunct faculty member of WinShape Marriage.
Weddings
The Start of Your New Life Together
Getting Married at The Shepherd’s Church
Congratulations!
We are excited for you and thankful that the Lord has brought you together. If you’re a member or regular attender of The Shepherd’s Church, we want to assist and serve you through the wedding process. If you’ve already asked one of our pastors to officiate your wedding, he will give you information on premarital counseling. If your wedding will take place on our campus, please contact our Event Coordinator. We have an information packet she can provide to help with your planning.
— Genesis 2:24
Groups and Classes
Strengthen or Restore Your Marriage
Marriage Mentoring
Marriage Mentoring is designed for couples who are preparing for marriage, couples who are married and want to maximize their marriage or couples who are going through a difficult season and desire to strengthen, restore and repair their marriage.
We pair couples with a trained marriage mentor couple. There may also be an opportunity for one-on-one meetings between the two husbands or the two wives.
Please contact the Care Ministry office at 919-233-9100 or email Melissa at mdement@shepherds.org if you and your spouse are interested in connecting with a marriage mentor couple.
Form a Small Group
We have resources you can use to launch a marriage small group in your home. The commitment varies, but the average is six weeks. To begin a group, contact Jimmy Carter for resources. We have different studies available. Then, gather 1-5 couples to join you. (Start with your friends and neighbors.) We recommend you limit your small group to 6 couples.
Resources
Print & Digital Resources
Here are some resources we recommend on the topic of marriage.
- For Better or for Worse by Stephen Davey (Audio Series)
- For Better or for Worse by Stephen Davey (Book)
- Strengthening Your Marriage by Wayne Mack
- When Sinners Say I Do by Dave Harvey
Right Now Media
The Shepherd’s Church family has access to the collection of resources provided by Right Now Media. After you have created your account, here are some resources related to marriage.
- Marriage: Built to Last by Chip Ingram
- Five Lies that Ruin Relationships by Chip Ingram
- Love, Sex & Lasting Relationships by Chip Ingram
- The Sacred Search by Gary Thomas
- A Lifelong Love by Gary Thomas
- The Art of Marriage Small-Group Series by Family Life
- Love Talk by Les and Leslie Parrott
- Who Did You Really Marry? by Les and Leslie Parrott
What Our Couples Are Saying
We loved the class we took, and our marriage benefited greatly from it. The leaders are all so down-to-earth, personal, and fun. They make the hard topics comfortable to talk about. We learned very practical ways to communicate more effectively in our marriage, and ways to put each other and our marriage FIRST, especially with 3 young children running around.”
— John and Crystal
The class provided clarity in areas of our marriage that needed refinement. It encouraged us to set aside time each week to meet and discuss our relationship. That was so helpful. We gained beautiful friendships and memories in the class.
— Cheneta
The marriage class helped me by giving me the tools to effectively communicate my emotions, and communicate how I was feeling—in a way that my husband could understand from my viewpoint.
— Lori