Grace Bible Church
WEDDING POLICIES

BEING MARRIED IN THE CHURCH

WHY A CHURCH WEDDING?

Because the church is not a wedding chapel, and because the pastor is not a Justice of the Peace or a ship's captain, there needs to be some reason for a couple to want to be married in a church.

Being married in the church means that the couple is asking the blessing, support and approval of God and His Church because God and His Church are important to that couple. On the other hand, if a couple has no particular interest in God or in His Church, why would they want to get married in His house? Think of it this way: if a person has no interest in baseball, why would he want to get married at Dodger Stadium?

There is a difference between "just getting married" and having a "Christian wedding." A Christian wedding is to be followed by a Christian marriage. If a Christian marriage does not follow a Christian wedding, what was the point of the Christian wedding?

WHAT IS A CHRISTIAN?

A Christian is one who has come to realize that he has been alienated from God because of sin. He wants to be reconciled to God. He believes that Jesus Christ is the only way to be reconciled to God. He has received Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior, meaning he has asked to be forgiven on the basis of Jesus' sacrificial death on the cross and resurrection, and he has committed his life to following Jesus Christ.

WHAT IS A CHRISTIAN WEDDING?

A Christian wedding is a worship service. It is a holy time where God performs the miracle of making two people into one. There is a recognition of the importance of the vows. Christian wedding vows are not merely between two people. They are between two people and God. They are binding for life.

WHAT IS A CHRISTIAN MARRIAGE?

Grace Bible Church affirms the biblical teaching that a Christian marriage is made up of one man and one woman whose lives, individually and together, are:

  1. Directed by the Word of God — the Bible,
  2. Dependent on God through prayer,
  3. Dedicated and committed to God's Church,
  4. Demonstrating the love of Jesus Christ to others for the purpose of leading others to faith in Christ.

WHAT NOW?

If you are a Christian as described above, and would like to have a Christian marriage, you are a candidate for a Christian wedding. If not, would you like to receive Christ? Please contact the pastor. He will help you make this all-important step that must precede a Christian wedding and marriage.

WHO? WHERE? AND WHY?

  1. The marriage of a Christian to a non-Christian cannot be performed at Grace Bible Church or by pastoral staff from Grace This is according to clear instruction given in the Bible. For more information, please read the booklet entitled "What God Has To Say About Who You Date And Marry" by Pastor Errol Hale.
  2. Only committed Christians shall be married in the church. By committed Christians we mean those who have received Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior and who are active in a local church. Those who have no relationship with God and are not committed to His Church should not think it strange if they are not invited to be married in God's house.
  3. Marriages between one man and one woman are the only marriages allowed by the Bible, and are therefore the only kind of weddings pastors of this church are allowed to perform and are the only kind allowed at Grace Bible Church.
  4. Pastoral staff is free to perform weddings for those who are not committed Christians in a location other than in the church. This may be a park, a home or a community center.

BEFORE THE PASTOR CAN MARRY YOU:

  1. The couple must fill out a Wedding Application (attached).
  2. The couple must meet with the pastor at least three times:
    1. The initial conference is to establish whether the pastor can perform the wedding and where. The pastor will also give the couple the tapes or DVDs and workbooks described in #3 below.
    2. The second conference will be after the couple has finished half the lessons.
    3. The third conference will be after the couple has completed all the lessons. At this conference the details of the wedding rehearsal (required) and ceremony will be discussed. Again, the details of the wedding rehearsal and ceremony will not be discussed until after the couple has completed all the tapes or DVDs.
  3. The couple is required to listen to a series of instructional audio tapes, or view a series of DVDs on the subject of marriage. The couple is to use the instructional aids together, take notes in their workbooks, and discuss the content after each lesson. This must be done before the wedding. (The 12 audio tapes and workbooks cost $35.00. The DVDs and workbooks cost $45.00. The tapes or DVDs may be borrowed and then returned. The workbooks alone are $5.00 each.)
  4. The pastor reserves the right to not perform the wedding, or not perform the wedding in the church if at any time during the premarital counseling he discerns that there is a reason that he should not do so.

BEFORE THE PASTOR CAN MARRY YOU IN THE CHURCH:

In addition to the requirements listed above, couples who are living together or who are sexually involved are required to separate and commit to ceasing sexual activity until after the wedding.

WEDDINGS IN GRACE FACILITIES

  1. Wedding ceremonies at Grace may only be performed for Grace families or Christians who are referred to Grace by their pastor.
  2. A Facilities Request Form must be filed with the church office to secure the rehearsal and ceremony dates. This form should be turned into the office no later than 30 days prior to the wedding date.
  3. A wedding rehearsal is required unless other arrangements have been made in advance and approved by the marrying pastor.
  4. Wedding personnel (needed for rehearsal and ceremony).
    1. A hostess from the church is required unless other arrangements are made in advance and approved by the church and marrying pastor. The hostess is needed for both the rehearsal and the ceremony. The hostess is not a ¿wedding coordinator¿ who organizes the wedding. The hostess is on hand to open the church, see that the wedding party has access and use of the church facilities as needed, and to lock up the church. Please see fee schedule.
    2. A sound technician from the church is required unless other arrangements are made in advance and approved by the church and marrying pastor. A sound technician is needed for ceremony only. If the technician is requested at the rehearsal as well, the fee is doubled. Please see fee schedule.
    3. Musicians:
      • Musicians may be from outside the church. Musicians from outside the church must supply their own instruments.
      • Musicians from the church are available as well. When using a pianist from within the church, the keyboard is supplied by the church. Please see fee schedule.
      • Soloists or those providing special music should not be expected to perform for free. This is between the wedding party and the musicians.
  5. Although the pastoral staff at Grace do not perform weddings for set fees, it is customary to give a gratuity to the pastor officiating the service.
  6. Decorations are the responsibility of the wedding party. The church does not supply any decorations, arches, candle holders, etc.
  7. There is a standard set up and cleaning fee.
  8. In addition to the set up and cleaning fee, a cleaning/damage deposit will be charged. If the wedding party leaves everything clean and in proper order, the cleaning/damage deposit will be refunded.
  9. No alcoholic beverages shall be served at the church facilities.
  10. Smoking is not permitted inside the buildings.
  11. Rooms are available for use as dressing rooms. The rooms desired must be designated when turning in the Facilities Use Request form.
  12. The kitchen may be used and must be requested when turning in the Facilities Use Request form.
  13. Photography. Once the bride is in, there shall be no photographers in the center aisle or beyond the front rows on the side aisles. There will be no photographers on the platform during the service. There will be no flash photography during the service. Video cameras may be on the platform if they are preset and are not a distraction from the service. The marrying pastor and wedding hostess will advise. Please advise photographers of these rules in advance.

FEE SCHEDULE:

All fees and deposits are required no later than 14 days prior to the wedding.

Use fee (depending on expected cost of operating air conditioning)Variable
Standard set up and cleaning fee$100
Cleaning/damage deposit (refundable)$200
Hostess$75
Sound Technician for rehearsal and ceremony)$75
Pianist (for rehearsal and ceremony, including keyboard)$75

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