Building marriages that not only last, but flourish
Marriage Mentoring
Marriage Counseling
Marriage Assessment ($30) - Contact Janet Minor at
The Marriage Ministry addresses marriage from multiple aspects with the goal of taking a struggling marriage to a good marriage, a good marriage to a great marriage, and a great marriage to a phenomenal marriage.
The ministry sees marriage preparation as a part of marriage, as a firm foundation is needed to build a strong relationship. The ministry wants marriage to begin based on the Bible with a focus on understanding where each person is spiritually and then building the relationship from there.
The Marriage ministry also recognizes in our society that divorce is an easy option for many inside and outside of the church. We want to help the married couples take divorce off the table as an option, through helping them see God’s design for marriage. At the same time we want to walk with people that are preparing to enter into re-marriage in love and with the goal of making this marriage phenomenal.
Activities within the Marriage Ministry are missional and kingdom oriented, seeking life transformation. We work with primarily the Men’s, Women’s, Care, Parenting and Groups. We commit to the Bible, not any author.
If you have questions regarding Marriage Ministry or would like more information, contact Janet Minor at or 972.547.7096.
Marriage Resources
Become a Marriage Mentor or Mentee
Premarital and Marital Counseling
Ten Steps for Resolving Conflict (pdf)
Weddings at Christ Fellowship
Groups (group Bible studies are frequently offered specific to marriage, including the Fireproof marriage study)
Websites
Center for Biblical Counseling: cbcmckinney.com
Center for Christian Counseling: c3christiancounseling.com
Christian Counseling Associates: counselgodsword.com
Emerson Eggerichs (Love and Respect) on communication: loveandrespect.com
FamilyLife Articles on marriage database: familylife.com
Focus on the Family: troubledwith.com
Focus on The Family Online Marriage Community: focusonlinecommunities.com
Intimate Life Ministries: greatcommandment.net
Journey's Christian Counseling: journeyschristiancounseling.
Smalley Relationship Center: smalleyonline.com
Stonebriar Counseling Associates: stonebriarca.com
Stonebriar Psychiatric Services: stonebriarps.com
Books
While the leadership at Christ Fellowship does not endorse every view each author shares in the books listed below, we believe each book is a useful resource to help couples strengthen their marriage.
Sacred Marriage by Gary Thomas
Your marriage is more than a sacred covenant with another person. It is a spiritual discipline designed to help you know God better, trust him more fully, and love him more deeply. Scores of books have been written that offer guidance for building the marriage of your dreams. But what if God's primary intent for your marriage isn't to make you happy, but holy? And what if your relationship isn't as much about you and your spouse as it is about you and God?
Love & Respect by Emerson Eggerichs
Cracking the communication code between husband and wife involves understanding one thing: that unconditional respect is as powerful for him as unconditional love is for her. It's the secret to marriage that every couple seeks, and yet few couples ever find.
When Sinners Say “I Do” by Dave Harvey
When Sinners Say "I Do" is about encountering the life-transforming power of the gospel in the unpredictable journey of marriage.
A Lasting Promise by Scott M. Stanley et.al
A Lasting Promise offers solutions to common problems--facing conflicts, problem solving, improving communication, and dealing with core issues--within a religious framework. With the ultimate purpose of upholding the sanctity of marriage, the book is filled with stories that reflect the sacred teachings of the scripture. The strategies outlined can help Christian couples to improve communication, understand commitment, bring more fun into their relationship, and even enhance their sex life. This book will serve as an invaluable resource for all couples who want to honor and preserve the holy sacrament of their union.
Before You Get Engaged by David Gudgel, et al
This book is designed to help daters know if engagement is truly the best next step in their relationship. It will help guide readers to know if they are ready to get engaged, if they should date a little longer, or end the relationship and move on.
Sheet Music by Kevin Leman
Sex is about the quality of your entire love life, not just the alignment of your bodies. This book will expand and challenge your thinking, help you start your marriage off right, or go for humdrum to exciting if you're already married.
Intimate Issues by Dillow and Pintus
You want sex with your husband to be fulfilling. But can sex be both sensuous and sacred? Written by two mature wives and Bible teachers, Intimate Issues answers the questions women most frequently ask about physical intimacy. Through its solid teaching, warm testimonials and biblical insights, you'll come away with full permission to be the best lover you can be! Includes discussion questions at the end of each chapter; a secret, sealed challenge to be read only after you've finished the book; and a 12-week Bible study on becoming a godly and sensuous wife.
For Women Only by Shaunti Feldhahn
What the author’s research reveals about the inner lives of men will open women’s eyes to what the men in their life—boyfriends, brothers, husbands, and sons—are really thinking and feeling. This book will guide women in how to provide the loving support that modern men want and need.
For Men Only by by Shaunti Feldhahn and Jeff Feldhahn
Through hundreds of interviews and the results of a scientific national survey of women, this book demonstrates that women are actually not random and that they really can be systematized and “mapped.” In fact, much to men’s delight, this book shows that women are actually quite easy to understand and please—as long as you know what it is they need. This simple map will guide you to loving your wife or girlfriend in the way she needs to be loved.
A book and online profile that identifies a couple's strengths to help them build a more vital relationship
Based on an unprecedented national survey of 50,000 marriages, The Couple Checkup presents the principles for creating a successful couple relationship. The free online profile includes fifteen to twenty categories that are customized based on the relationship stage-whether dating, engaged, or married-the age, and whether or not children are involved. The book also includes the SCOPE Personality Profile and the Couple and Family Map of the relationship.
Each chapter of the book matches a category in the free individual profile. While the book stands on its own, using the Couple Checkup with the book provides the maximum benefit. In addition, each chapter contains couple exercises to help build couple strengths in a variety of areas.
The Remarriage Checkup: Tools to Help Your Marriage Last a Lifetime by Ron Deal
Dating and married couples rarely, if ever, do a checkup on their relationship. But the sooner you identify problems and find ways to resolve them, the easier it will be to create a strong future. And the sooner you discover your relationship strengths and build on them, the deeper and more intimate your relationship will be. This book will give you a personalized diagnosis of the strengths and weaknesses in your relationship, and a prescription for a remarriage that lasts.
Torn Asunder: Recovering From an Extramarital Affair by David Carder
There is hope for recovery from the devastation of extramarital affairs. In Torn Asunder, Dave Carder provides an overall recovery process from sexual and non-sexual affairs.
Choosing Forgiveness: Your Journey to Freedom by Nancy Leigh Demoss
Far from minimizing the hurt of the offense, readers are called to understand that offering forgiveness and letting go of bitterness is the only way to walk in faithfulness. Drawing on biblical teaching of our call to forgive, the author shows the reader that forgiveness is a choice- and the only pathway to true freedom.
The Smart Step-Family by Ron Deal
Ron Deal understands the inner workings of the stepfamily and provides practical, realistic solutions to the issues they face. Includes questions and activities that make this a great resource for small groups, pastors and counselors, as well. With a biblical perspective, he helps remarried and soon-to-be-married couples solve the everyday puzzles of stepparenting, learn communication skills with ex-spouses, deal with the common pitfalls, and so much more.
The Treasure Principle by Randy Alcorn
Randy Alcorn introduces readers to a revolution in material freedom and radical generosity that will change lives around the world. Ninety-five percent of Christians have never come to terms with a biblical perspective on their material possessions, Alcorn writes. God has entrusted His wealth to us and called upon us to manage and invest His money. This is in everyone's best interests, including our own. When Jesus told His followers to "lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven," he intended that they discover an astounding secret: how joyful giving brings God maximum glory and his children maximum pleasure.