Wedding Policy
Marriage is a good thing. In fact, it is a God thing. He came up with the idea. That's why we call it holy matrimony. It is God's doing and it is wonderful.
God's design for marriage is permanence. Everybody agrees. Nobody gets married with a plan to divorce. That's why all divorce is failure. In fact, God hates divorce. Now don't misunderstand. He does not hate the parties who divorce; He hates divorce. Why? Because He knows it hurts. It hurts adults; it hurts kids; it hurts God.
But He allows for divorce in some cases because He is gracious and merciful and knows we are sinful. This being the case, it is important to realize that, though not all divorce is sin, all divorce is the result of sin.
So, here are the two clear biblical cases in which God allows for divorce:
If a marriage has ended in divorce for one of the above reasons, the marriage has been legitimately dissolved in God's eyes and, therefore, the innocent party is free to remarry. You see, if the divorce is permissible on biblical grounds, so too is the remarriage.
Have you been divorced? If so, we realize how deeply you have been hurt. Please know that you are loved by God no matter what. But we must honestly tell you that remarriage following a divorce on non-biblical grounds is not in God's will.
In that case, none of our ministers could endorse or officiate the marriage. In other words, if God doesn't permit it, we can't perform it. Please try to understand how important it is for all of us to do things God's way. He really does know what's best.
So, though we very much want to celebrate marriage with you, we cannot join in the celebration until we discern whether your bond is okay with God.
Some proposed marital bonds are not okay with God. For instance, He will not permit the following:
If this has raised some questions in your mind, please know that any one of the ministerial staff would be willing to meet with you to discuss things further. And please understand that our sincere desire is to ensure the success of a proposed marriage by first ensuring that the Lord, the creator of marriage, will put His blessing upon it.
Passages consulted in the preparation of this policy:
Genesis 2:18-24; Deuteronomy 24:1-4; Malachi 2:16; Matthew 5:32; 19:3-9; Mark 10:2-9; Romans 7:1-3; 1 Corinthians 7:10-15
Marriage is a good thing. In fact, it is a God thing. He came up with the idea. That's why we call it holy matrimony. It is God's doing and it is wonderful.
God's design for marriage is permanence. Everybody agrees. Nobody gets married with a plan to divorce. That's why all divorce is failure. In fact, God hates divorce. Now don't misunderstand. He does not hate the parties who divorce; He hates divorce. Why? Because He knows it hurts. It hurts adults; it hurts kids; it hurts God.
But He allows for divorce in some cases because He is gracious and merciful and knows we are sinful. This being the case, it is important to realize that, though not all divorce is sin, all divorce is the result of sin.
So, here are the two clear biblical cases in which God allows for divorce:
- (Mt.5:32; 19:3-9) Serious sexual sin. Unfaithfulness. Infidelity and ...
- (1 Cor.7:10-15) Desertion by a non-Christian spouse married to a Christian.
If a marriage has ended in divorce for one of the above reasons, the marriage has been legitimately dissolved in God's eyes and, therefore, the innocent party is free to remarry. You see, if the divorce is permissible on biblical grounds, so too is the remarriage.
Have you been divorced? If so, we realize how deeply you have been hurt. Please know that you are loved by God no matter what. But we must honestly tell you that remarriage following a divorce on non-biblical grounds is not in God's will.
In that case, none of our ministers could endorse or officiate the marriage. In other words, if God doesn't permit it, we can't perform it. Please try to understand how important it is for all of us to do things God's way. He really does know what's best.
So, though we very much want to celebrate marriage with you, we cannot join in the celebration until we discern whether your bond is okay with God.
Some proposed marital bonds are not okay with God. For instance, He will not permit the following:
- A marriage involving a believer and a non-believer.
- A marriage following dissolution of a prior marriage on non-biblical grounds.
- A marriage before its time. (One or both of the parties are simply not ready for the responsibilities of covenant marriage.)
If this has raised some questions in your mind, please know that any one of the ministerial staff would be willing to meet with you to discuss things further. And please understand that our sincere desire is to ensure the success of a proposed marriage by first ensuring that the Lord, the creator of marriage, will put His blessing upon it.
Passages consulted in the preparation of this policy:
Genesis 2:18-24; Deuteronomy 24:1-4; Malachi 2:16; Matthew 5:32; 19:3-9; Mark 10:2-9; Romans 7:1-3; 1 Corinthians 7:10-15