Reformation in Life, Marriage, and Ministry

From the revival and reformation series.

—Claudio Consuegra, DMin, FaMily Ministries director, North American Division of the Seventh-day Adventist Church, Silver Spring, Maryland, United States.

Ellen White defines reformation as a “reorganization, a change in ideas and theories, habits and practices.” While we usually apply this to mean  the spiritual reformation that must take place in us as individuals before the return of Jesus, we have also seen its fulfillment in the lives of people whose marriages were in trouble.

Rod and Sharonwere very successful in their careers, had been married and divorced previously, and had three children. Rod served two tours of duty during the Vietnam War and, as he told me, had “broken every commandment that is written and some that should be written.” Among other things, he had left his wife for
other women more than a dozen times; but every time he came back home, Sharon took him back. “Now,” he said to me, “I feel totally empty. Can God possibly still love me?”

Several weeks later, after Bible studies, both Rod and Sharon were baptized and immediately immersed themselves in the life and ministry of the church. More than ten years later, they continue to serve the church as leaders of several ministries and conduct Bible studies with prospective members nearly every night of the week—resulting in many baptisms every year. Rod and

Sharon have experienced a personal reformation that changed their marriage and turned them into very effective ministers in their church and community.

—Claudio Consuegra, DMin, FaMily Ministries director, North American Division of the Seventh-day Adventist Church, Silver Spring, Maryland, United States.

References:

1 Ellen G. White, Christian Service (Washington, DC: Review and Herald Pub. Assn, 1947), 42.

2. Pseudonymn


Ministry reserves the right to approve, disapprove, and delete comments at our discretion and will not be able to respond to inquiries about these comments. Please ensure that your words are respectful, courteous, and relevant.

comments powered by Disqus

—Claudio Consuegra, DMin, FaMily Ministries director, North American Division of the Seventh-day Adventist Church, Silver Spring, Maryland, United States.

August 2013

Download PDF
Ministry Cover

More Articles In This Issue

Does God believe in restoration? Part 1

Early in college, the author experienced a radical conversion and had a desire to witness to others, even though he still did not know if he would be or even could be saved.

Dealing with doctrinal issues in the church: Part 4

Controversial issues have the potential of splitting a church. How can we avoid this danger?

People Catchers

The Bible mentions four ways to catch fish, and these strategies hold insights for our calling as “fishers of men.”

Eternal Security

Do we devout the time we should to our eternal security? Thoughts from our revival and reformation series.

The hovering of the Spirit of God

Join the author in contemplating the activity and personhood of the Spirit of God.

God did an awesome thing: A church growth strategy that worked

Do you dream of being a part of a vibrant worshiping community of faith?Discover a proven strategy to accomplish it.

Is God calling you to plant a church?

The conviction to be involved in new churches unfolds differently in every leader. Nevertheless, there are transferable principles that can guide you or the organization you lead in prayerful assessment.

Tips on Ministering in the Inner City

Some of the lessons I learned and the approaches that have worked for me in the inner city.

View All Issue Contents

Digital delivery

If you're a print subscriber, we'll complement your print copy of Ministry with an electronic version.

Sign up

Recent issues

See All
Advertisement - SermonView - WideSkyscraper (160x600)