During my time at the D6 Conference in 2016 I had to opportunity to meet Scott Kedersha. We served together there as part of the social media team, which means we got to blog and tweet throughout the conference. What I discovered in this brother is a sharp and articulate guy who has a growing ministry with an emphasis that some churches take for granted. Scott focuses on marriage ministry. Recently, I asked Scott if I could pick his brain about marriage ministry. He was graciously excited to do so. Here are the highlights of our conversation. 

Pat: Scott, describe your role and ministry for me.

Scott: I am the director of premarital and newly married ministries at Watermark Church, a multi-site church in Texas, with campuses in Dallas, Fort Worth, and Plano. This ministry seeks to walk with a couple from pre-marital counseling and beyond to build healthy marriages. We are proactive in our approach and equip and mentor couples, through healthy community, on how to handle everything from their own expectations as well as how to hand crises.

Pat: Why is this ministry so necessary?

Scott: We desire for all marriages to be build on Christ (Matt. 7:24-27). The reality is if mom and dad aren't walking with God, neither will the kids. Other ministries can only help so much with this. Our ministry desires to help mom and dad live with integrity with each other first, as a model, for their kids.

Pat: Why is this ministry so neglected?

Scott: I don't really know. Few churches are intentional with their efforts in this area. Because they aren't proactive, they actually spend more time dealing with one crisis after another. Some see this as "everyone's job,"t which means it's really "no one's job". Other churches feel ill-equipped for this ministry, underestimating what they can really do (2 Peter 1:3). What would help all churches in this area is a comprehensive strategy.

Pat: Regardless of current situations, how can churches do this better?

Scott: We use a four-fold strategy: preparing newlyweds, establishing newlyweds, enriching marriages, and restoring marriages. At each stage there is mentorship. We also do an annul training conference where we provide help at each stage as well as leadership training for pastors, and staff. The big question we are asking throughout is, "What one thing can you do when you get home?"

Pat: What is your hope for the church in all this?

Scott: Simply that all we do is marked by love (John 13:34-35). I hope that people come to see the church as a safe place they can find help, That while they are there, they are shown the love of Christ, and that He is the hope of the world.

The health of marriages affects the health of the church. Readers, has your church thought through this critical area of ministry? Leave a comment below and share your thoughts.