134: What It Really Takes to Speak as a Couple

Behind the Scenes: What It Really Takes to Speak as a Couple This week, we are doing something a little different: taking you behind the scenes of a full weekend of speaking, ministry, marriage, and the unexpected moments that happened along the way.

We recently traveled to the Staunton and Swoope, Virginia, area to serve Village Church. On Saturday, we led an intimate couples retreat, and on Sunday, we were honored and humbled to be invited to speak during the church service. In this candid conversation, we share what it took to prepare two different presentations—and what we learned once we stepped in front of the audience.

Preparation included much more than practicing a talk. We created slide decks, wrote speaker notes, prepared cues for the church's technology team, organized visual exercises, and rehearsed together night after night. At times, the presentation flowed; at other times, we wondered whether we would ever get it right. Sometimes, the most helpful thing we could do was stop, rest, and return with fresh energy.

Of course, the weekend did not go perfectly. There was a nearly overflowing bowl during a forgiveness exercise, anointing oil that needed to be distributed at the last minute, a missing laptop charger, skipped notes, forgotten words, and a pair of yellow sunglasses that almost missed their moment. Yet those imperfect moments became reminders that ministry does not require perfection. It requires preparation, flexibility, grace, and dependence on God.

We also reflect on what speaking together revealed about our marriage and communication. When one person is talking, it is easy for the other to think ahead to the next point instead of truly listening. We are learning how to stay present, help each other recover when something goes off script, improve our transitions, and balance planned teaching with natural conversation. These are speaking lessons—but they are marriage lessons too.

Through it all, the best part of the weekend was the people: meeting couples, talking with church members, answering questions, connecting with the pastors, and sharing lunch and laughter with a wonderful family. We are deeply grateful to Village Church for welcoming us and giving us the opportunity to serve.

In This Episode, We Talk About The unseen preparation behind a couples retreat and Sunday message

Why nervousness can remind us to rely on God

Knowing when to keep practicing—and when to take a break

Recovering from forgotten words, skipped no