03/27/07 :: Minnesota churches gather for marriage retreat
Roseville, MN >> Earlier this month, Sovereign Grace churches near Minneapolis and St. Paul hosted a marriage retreat. Over the weekend, couples learned how to apply the gospel to marriage, fight discontentment, and embrace God-given roles for men and women—plus how to swing your partner and do-si-do. Sovereign Grace Fellowship administrator Peter Thorpe sent this report.
On March 2–3, Sovereign Grace Fellowship (Bloomington, MN) and Sovereign Grace Community Church (Stillwater, MN) hosted Passionate Partners for Life: A Marriage Retreat with Steve & Janis Shank. More than 175 people attended the retreat in Roseville, Minnesota.
Steve Shank taught four main sessions. The first evening Steve prepared us to receive the Word of God as it related to marriage. In particular, he encouraged hope and humility as we approach the topic. He then aimed to bring us closer to our spouses by bringing us closer to the Savior. In light of the Savior’s love, we have the power to change by repenting and turning from our sins (legalism, comparison, criticism, discontent, and false expectations) and putting on love and humility toward each other.
Later on Friday evening we loosened up for a square dance. This turned out to be yet another context for humility! To see pictures of our dance, click here. Oddly enough, the Shanks made it an early evening up to their hotel room!
On Saturday Steve helped us see God’s ultimate intention for marriage: to reflect the relationship Christ has with his bride, the church. We then looked into the God-ordained roles for men and women within the context of marriage. Later in the day, Steve taught the men on leadership in the home and his wife, Janis, addressed the women on intoxicating love.
God was faithful to meet us and provide conviction where needed and the power to change through the gospel. We are so thankful for Steve and Janis’s ministry to us! All the seminar outlines and audio can be found at our website, www.sovgracemn.org.
Peter Thorpe