Greater Cornerstone Church

When God said, "It is not good for man to be alone," the word "alone" is the Hebrew word "badow" which means to be by oneself, the only one. The word speaks of the concept of being the only one of a species. In this text, it is speaking of the species of humanity. God emphasized this concept of "aloneness" as he brought every other species, male and female, in front of Adam in order for him to name them. In this process, Adam, recognized he was alone and God relates it is not good for man to be alone. In Adam's aloneness, God caused him to go into a deep sleep, in other words God put Adam under a supernatural anesthesia and out of Adam's side, God created a female to be at his side. When God brought Eve to Adam, he responded to God's gift by saying, "This is bone of my bone and flesh of my flesh: she shall be called Woman, because she was taken out of man."  God blessed Adam and Eve to be husband and wife and gave them dominion over the earth and every living thing upon it.   

Marriage is a God ordained ordinance where a man and a woman mutually choose to come together as husband and wife. The marriage relationship is a unique relationship where each have different roles and responsibilities, different strengths and weaknesses, different gifts and talents which are combined in unity reflecting God and the church, while fulfilling God's purposes here on earth. However, within this unique relationship there are also challenges. 

In Marriage Ministry, we are here to assist couples through the unique challenges of life and marriage while honoring the marriage covenant.  We are also here to prepare those who are not currently married, but desire to be married. Women who desire to prepare themselves while waiting for God to present them to their future husband. Men who desire to prepare themselves while waiting as they search for God to reveal their future wife to them. Marriage Ministry is not a "meat market" for shopping, but a "threshing floor" where marriage preparation and marriage maintenance opportunities are provided.

Lewis & Rossalyn Wilson have experienced the many seasons of a relationship and believe that longevity requires prayer, patience, good communication skills, understanding and mutual respect. "Ministry begins at home with our spouse and our children. Ministry continues as we reach out to our distance relatives, communities and ultimately the world. Ministry is intentional as it transcends and reaches beyond ourselves for the sake of the gospel. There are times when we have to be intentional and not say those things we feel like saying. At those times, mutual respect will step back and re-evaluate,  asking God and ourselves how we need to respond in accordance to the Word and how we would like our spouse to respond to us. Mutual respect reminds me of the "Golden Rule" of doing unto my family how I would like them to do to me. We never cease to be amazed at the power of a word of kindness in the midst of a heated situation or a gentle touch when the one you love is hurting. Ministry begins at home."

 Marland & Stephanie McQuarters are in agreement with Brother & Sister Wilson in the fact that marriage relationship longevity requires prayer, patience, good communication skills, understanding and mutual respect. However, one thing we have noticed about the marriage relationship is "unspoken expectations and false beliefs." So often when a couple gets married each one has unspoken expectations that they just assume their spouse should know and do. Our spouses are not mind-readers and it isn't fair to cause marriage turbulance for something we have never spoken about to them verbally. That is only one reason good communication skills are necessary. Take time to have "pillow talk" those quiet intimate conversations that occur as you lay on your pillow at night. Those moments of intimate conversation go along way in a relationship. Another thing we have noticed is the false belief that affection is no longer necessary after the honeymoon is over. It is important to express to your spouse public and private affection long after the vows have been exchanged and throughout the entire marriage. It keeps the passion flowing within the marriage and it exemplifies to others the expressions of mutual love and respect within the holy covenant of marriage. Our marriages can be an example of the "more excellant way" the Apostle Paul spoke about as he spoke of love, it does not seek its own, is not puffed up with pride and hautiness, but is kind, gentle and love never fails. Love your spouse and fulfill the law of Christ within the church.