FAITH BAPTIST CHURCH WEDDING FACILITY USE POLICY
We are happy to be a part of this important event in your lives. We are glad that you desire to have your wedding at church, because we believe this represents the seriousness of the commitment you are making to each other.
Wedding services in our church are acts of Christian worship. Marriage was ordained by God in order to meet the deepest intimacy needs of His creation and to serve as a model of His redemptive purpose for all mankind. Marriage is an acceptance of God’s invitation to share life together and a church wedding invites the blessing of the body of Christ as corporately we share in the biblical union. As you look forward to the vows you will take in the church, it is our prayer that God will bless your married life.
PASTORS’ POLICIES
The Bible sets forth many guidelines and principles for marriage and it is our goal to uphold God’s standards for marriage as outlined in Scripture according to His grace and mercy in our lives. The pastor reserves the right to decide whom he will unite in Christian marriage based on principles outlined in God’s Word.
Premarital Counseling: Premarital counseling is a requirement for all weddings officiated by Faith Baptist Church pastors. The normal length shall be a minimum of four sessions. These sessions are scheduled so that the pastor can share thoughts and counsel about the various dimensions of married life, your relationship to each other, to God and to the church.
If any of the following is a past or ongoing issue in your lives or relationship, it must be openly discussed with the Pastor during the time of premarital counseling and reconciled according to God’s Word.
· couples living together
· previous marriage, separation, divorce
· lack of openness to pre-marital counseling
· substance, spousal, or child abuse.
· non-believer marrying a believer
· absence of parental blessing
The pastor is a worship leader and will assist you in arranging a personal and worshipful wedding service. The officiating Pastor must approve all aspects of your wedding service.
Guest Pastors: Our policy is to have one of the Faith Baptist Church pastors officiate. If the wedding party desires to have a different member of the clergy presiding over the ceremony, that clergy must be from a church of like faith, duly ordained, and under state requirements. This person must be approved by the Senior Pastor and must adhere to all other wedding guidelines.
Note: If you have any questions concerning any of the issues or positions stated above, please mention these to the Pastor at your first meeting. We are here to help you build a life together that will be pleasing to the Lord, and satisfying to one another. God bless you as you continue to prepare for marriage.
SCHEDULING YOUR WEDDING
Church Membership: Due to the ongoing ministry use of our church facility, it is our policy to perform weddings only for individuals who are active members of Faith Baptist Church or an immediate family member of active members of Faith Baptist Church. We cannot rent our facilities for weddings.
Faith Baptist Church will make provision for members of other Southern Baptist Churches and Missions to use our facilities for weddings, when it does not conflict with Faith Baptist Church ministry.
Receptions: The church’s facilities are available for a reception by the wedding party. Arrangements for the supervision and service of a reception can be made at the time of scheduling. SMOKING AND ALCOHOLIC BEVERAGES ARE NOT ALLOWED ON THE PREMISES.
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Securing Date for Wedding Ceremony:
- Set up an appointment for both the bride and groom to meet with one of the pastors for the approval of the ceremony and pre-marital counseling schedule. The pastor will tentatively inform you by the end of the first session whether he can officiate at your wedding.
- Contact the Faith Baptist Church office to assure an open date for both the wedding and the rehearsal, in accordance with the pastor’s availability. Note: Because of facility demands, reservations may not be made any earlier than six (6) months in advance.
- Complete and return a Faith Baptist Church Facility Request Form. Note: The date and usage is not secured until form is returned and approved by church pastoral staff.