In a time when half of all marriages fail, sound advice for marital success is needed more than ever. Let's Talk Marriage is an exceptional premarital guidebook for couples wanting marriages that will last a lifetime.Speaking to readers as a friendly, experienced guide who has prepared more than a thousand couples for marriage, Pastor F. Dean Lueking extends a steadying hand, offering affirmation where couples are already confident and practical advice to help them recognize more difficult things that need attention. Central to Lueking's counsel is the crucial role of talk in healthy, enduring marriages. He gives couples the tools to foster open, caring, and purposeful communication - the surest path to a marriage that is solid, lasting, and happy.Couples are encouraged to read this book aloud together, so that they hear each other speaking things of importance - an exercise that will give them practice in developing the trust and maturity needed to open up to each other at those deeper levels of mutual enrichment. The book is packed with questions meant to help couples express to one another how they envision their respective roles, assumptions, expectations, and hopes - and also to help them give voice to any problems and uncertainties. Showing that a good marriage consists of lifelong growth in unity of mind, body, and soul, Lueking also discusses the physical side of married life and gives helpful insights into the benefits of grounding a marriage in shared spiritual values.Warm, honest, faithful, and enjoyable to read, Let's Talk Marriage is an invaluable resource for men and women about to begin one of life's greatest adventures.

This is an invitation to a conversation on the pastoral life from one of America''s most respected clergy. Dean Lueking shares the fruits and foibles of his 50 years in parish minstry, 44 of them in the same congregation, Grace Lutheran in River Forest, Illinois. A lively storyteller, Lueking writes as the wise friend and colleague every pastor would hope to have. He gives life to a truth many congregational leaders will recognize: a congregation never stands still but is at once new and old, vexing and inspiring, lively and dull. It is life-giving year after year, in quiet moments and in open view. Lueking writes out of gratitude for the colleagues in ministry who over the years offered him a listening ear and an understanding heart. His words affirm what pastors are already doing while sparking dialogue about his suggestions and provoking new insights and understanding. This volume offers a glimpse of a larger vision for one''s life and ministry that comes not from within but from God. Lueking joins theological reflection with the realities of congregation and community. Recalling the spiritual and intellectual exchanges with other authors that have enriched him throughout his ministry, he offers encouragement to all who serve congregations.

In a time when half of all marriages fail, sound advice for marital success is needed more than ever. Let's Talk Marriage is an exceptional premarital guidebook for couples wanting marriages that will last a lifetime.Speaking to readers as a friendly, experienced guide who has prepared more than a thousand couples for marriage, Pastor F. Dean Lueking extends a steadying hand, offering affirmation where couples are already confident and practical advice to help them recognize more difficult things that need attention. Central to Lueking's counsel is the crucial role of talk in healthy, enduring marriages. He gives couples the tools to foster open, caring, and purposeful communication - the surest path to a marriage that is solid, lasting, and happy.Couples are encouraged to read this book aloud together, so that they hear each other speaking things of importance - an exercise that will give them practice in developing the trust and maturity needed to open up to each other at those deeper levels of mutual enrichment. The book is packed with questions meant to help couples express to one another how they envision their respective roles, assumptions, expectations, and hopes - and also to help them give voice to any problems and uncertainties. Showing that a good marriage consists of lifelong growth in unity of mind, body, and soul, Lueking also discusses the physical side of married life and gives helpful insights into the benefits of grounding a marriage in shared spiritual values.Warm, honest, faithful, and enjoyable to read, Let's Talk Marriage is an invaluable resource for men and women about to begin one of life's greatest adventures.

This is an invitation to a conversation on the pastoral life from one of America''s most respected clergy. Dean Lueking shares the fruits and foibles of his 50 years in parish minstry, 44 of them in the same congregation, Grace Lutheran in River Forest, Illinois. A lively storyteller, Lueking writes as the wise friend and colleague every pastor would hope to have. He gives life to a truth many congregational leaders will recognize: a congregation never stands still but is at once new and old, vexing and inspiring, lively and dull. It is life-giving year after year, in quiet moments and in open view. Lueking writes out of gratitude for the colleagues in ministry who over the years offered him a listening ear and an understanding heart. His words affirm what pastors are already doing while sparking dialogue about his suggestions and provoking new insights and understanding. This volume offers a glimpse of a larger vision for one''s life and ministry that comes not from within but from God. Lueking joins theological reflection with the realities of congregation and community. Recalling the spiritual and intellectual exchanges with other authors that have enriched him throughout his ministry, he offers encouragement to all who serve congregations.