Book Reviews

Book Review: “Marriage On A Lampstand: Exploring a New Paradigm for Modern Christian Marriage”

By Andrew & Terri Lyke

“Marriage On A Lampstand” offers a fresh and insightful look at the concept of Christian marriage, blending both theological and practical perspectives. Rather than simply reinforcing traditional views, the authors challenge readers to think about marriage as an active, dynamic, and community-oriented partnership that serves a broader purpose.

One of the book’s core themes is the idea of marriage as a “lampstand”—a source of light and example to others. The authors argue that Christian marriage is not just a private relationship between two people but a calling to bear witness to God’s love and grace within the community. This view redefines marriage as a ministry, encouraging couples to consider how their relationship can contribute positively to their community and faith.

The book dives into a range of topics relevant to modern couples, from communication and conflict resolution to the importance of shared spiritual life. Each chapter is enriched with scriptural references, real-life stories, and practical advice. The authors also tackle complex issues like gender roles, social expectations, and cultural changes that impact marriages today, providing a balanced approach that respects tradition while addressing contemporary challenges.

Readers who are in a committed relationship or preparing for marriage will find “Marriage On A Lampstand” to be both inspiring and thought-provoking. It encourages couples to grow not only as partners but also as individuals, nurturing a relationship that reflects God’s love to those around them. Overall, this book is a valuable resource for anyone looking to deepen their understanding of marriage within a faith-based framework and will likely resonate with Christian couples eager to make their union a meaningful example of love and service.

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Marriage On A Lampstand is a must-read book for all parish staffs and Family Life Directors. Andrew and Terri Lyke generously share a wealth of stories and insights gleaned through their decades of ministry and their own long marriage. Their suggestions for developing marriage ministry, while applicable for all married couples, is especially insightful for ministering with African-American couples.

Frank P. Hannigan

Marriage and family educator and 

former director of Marriage & Family Ministries 

Archdiocese of Chicago

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Terri and Andrew lovingly share their experiences, insights and wisdom so that Christian marriages excel as a shining symbol of god’s love in our homes, our communities and the church. In Marriage On A Lampstand, they graciously serve as teachers, mentors, and guides to those seeking to place god at the center of marriage.

Deacon James Norman

Our Lady of Sorrows Basilica

Archdiocese of Chicago

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Andrew and Terri, you are being prophetic and powerful. You are creating a conversation that is long overdue. Marriage On A Lampstand is a powerful piece of truth.

Joseph A. Brown, SJ

Southern Illinois University

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I'd like to recommend this book. Full disclosure: Andrew Lyke  and I worked together in Family Ministries for years and I think he and Terri are great examples for couples wanting to see what a real partnership is like. And I read it in advance because I helped with the editing so I know it's well done!

Kimberly Boyce Hagerty

Chicago, Illinois

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Marriage On A Lampstand is a must read for couples, pastors, and marriage and family therapists with the knowledge that successful marriage requires prayer, work and community. This book is a “can’t put it down, page turner”. Andrew and Terri share aspects of their journey from engagement throughout their married life. The exercises at the end of the chapters are challenging and thought provoking. They are appropriate for couples to share with each other as well as in group settings. Again, this book is a must read for marriages today. For couples this will be one of the best investments you make for each other and for your marriage. For support ministries, you will find this book a wonderful tool to assist couples on their life journey. With the knowledge from this book, couples will find their marriage truly does shine bright into the community.

Linda Duhon LaCour

Family Therapist

Director: African American Ministry

Diocese of Beaumont 

Authors help couples provide credible, effective witness to marriage

By Daniel S. Mulhall
Posted: 6/30/2017

Research on many fronts makes it clear that a healthy marriage is beneficial to both the individual couple and to the larger society.

Married couples tend to be healthier, happier and more prosperous than those not married. Husbands and wives tend to live longer with few fewer medical issues than do single men and women. The larger society promotes marriage through tax policies and other laws because of the benefits marriage brings to society.

Why then are the statistics on marriage so troubling?

Fewer men and women are marrying today than ever before in recorded history, and those who marry tend to do so at a later age. More children are born today outside of marriage than to married couples, and these births are to older women, not to teens. Teen pregnancy is at historic lows.

And as bad as these statistics are for all marriages in the United States, the statistics within the African-American community are much, much worse according to Andrew and Terri Lyke in their new book, "Marriage on a Lampstand."

The Lykes, an African-American couple from Chicago, have spent most of their adult lives in the field of marriage and family ministry, working primarily within the African-American community.

While their insightful book offers wisdom pointedly to African-American couples and those within the Catholic Church who minister to those couples, their delightful story is of value to all married couples and those who minister to them, and to anyone considering marriage as well.

Here they will find a treasure trove of meaningful but easily accomplished ideas and suggestions for growing a healthy, wholesome and holy marriage drawn from the Lykes' years of ministry and marriage.

Throughout this book the Lykes write from both personal and professional experience. They write affectionately about how their marriage into each other's family has been a life-changing, yet at times challenging, experience. They write about how they have been aided in their marriage journey by a loving and supportive faith community, both within the Catholic Church itself, and within the church's marriage ministry community.

This book grows out of a marriage support program that the Lykes developed that has the same title, Marriage on a Lampstand. They developed this program because they realized that many married couples, especially African-American Catholic married couples, "lack credible and effective" models for successful marriages, along with the skills required for healthy, happy marriages.

In their workshops and in this book, the Lykes provide both a credible and effective model and the skills needed for healthy marriages.

They challenge the church -- both as institution and as the people of God -- to provide more and better resources to married couples (as well as to those not married -- yet), but especially to men and women within the African-American community who need these resources and witness so much.

Do yourself -- and your marriage -- a favor and read and reflect on this book using the questions helpfully provided at the end of each chapter. Then, share this book with other married couples and come together to discuss what you can do to provide credible and effective witness to the married couples -- and those considering marriage -- in your community.

As the Lykes point out, quoting the fifth chapter of Matthew, we are to be beacons for the world, shining brightly for all to see.

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Mulhall is a catechist living in Louisville, Kentucky.