Logo

 

Banner Image:   Baptist-Times-banner-2000x370-
Template Mode:   Baptist Times
Icon
    Post     Tweet

Happy Ever After? 

Paul Beasley-Murray's useful workbook for couples preparing for marriage has been updated and republished  

 

Happy Ever AfterHappy Ever After?  
By Paul Beasley-Murray
College of Baptist Ministers
ISBN: 9781999930110 
Reviewed by Stephen Roe


I am glad to see this very helpful ‘work book’ has been republished. As a Baptist minister I have often used its two earlier editions in marriage preparation over the years. 

The preface helpfully comments on some of the social changes in marriage customs in UK since the 2003 edition (though not same-sex marriage legislation, which now affects all in UK, with churches having to carefully and prayerfully consider their stance, as Baptist Union Council has done).

The comments consider the practical aspects of cohabitation and divorce, giving guidance to ministers and churches in these sensitive matters - reflecting the author’s long experience in local church pastoral ministry.
      
The work book is in the same format as earlier editions, with two sections about the future removed, but the basic six chapters and then a section on the legal elements and ideas for the wedding service unchanged. The format is very useful for a couple, who are asked to work through each chapter separately with some searching questions about expectations, hopes, plans, ideas, and experience. The booklet gives space to write answers.

The ideal is then for the couple to meet and discuss their answers, and also meet with the minister who can sensitively raise some issues in general from the topic of that chapter. Without needing to hear answers in detail, I have always found that gentle discussion of these topics, considered previously by the couple separately, has been a help to them, and strengthened the pastoral relationship. A plan of preferably-weekly meeting keeps the momentum of the preparation, and ensures that the most benefit is received by the couple.
      
Another strength of the work book is how it weaves the Bible’s teaching and values into the topics in a relevant way, enabling natural evangelistic opportunities to arise if one or even both of the couple are not Christians. If the couple are already committed Christians, and even members of the same local church, the topics encourage deeper reflection as part of discipleship.
   
I know of no other work book so useful and encouraging for use by Baptist ministers and churches today.
 

Stephen Roe is minister of Walderslade Baptist Church, Kent.



Happy Ever After? is published by the College of Baptist Ministers. Follow this link for details of how to purchase. 
 

 

Baptist Times, 02/03/2018
    Post     Tweet
Clever Cub Forgives a Friend, and Invites Someone New, by Bob Hartman  
Latest titles in series which takes the world of the child seriously and then tries to choose appropriate stories from the Bible to address their experiences - relevant and readable
The Hardest Problem: God, Evil and Suffering by Rupert Shortt 
'Not only helpful to Christians but worth passing on to thoughtful unbelievers who find the problem of evil and suffering an obstacle to belief'
Heroes or Villains by Jeannie Kendall 
'A gem of a book, thoughtfully and insightfully exploring the qualities we share with Bible characters'
Poverty, Riches and Wealth by Kris Vallotton
A book which makes you think with sections you might disagree with - but the golden thread that you are wealthy in proportion to your generosity, not according to your riches - is an excellent, Biblical principle
Lydia by Paula Gooder 
'Thoroughly recommended, not just as a historical novel, but also as a useful reference book kept close to the regularly-used commentaries'
Swansong by Jo-Anne Berthelsen
'This book certainly challenges us, but also encourages us that our words have real power to transform the lives of others'
     Reviews 
    Posted: 01/03/2024
    Posted: 22/09/2023