MARRIAGE GUIDELINES

Introduction

The primary responsibility of the minister of the gospel is to further the interests of the Kingdom of God and the church of Jesus Christ. Although the government of Ontario grants him the authority to perform any marriage ceremony that meets the legal requirements of the province, the minister of the gospel performs only those weddings that enhance his primary spiritual calling.

                        

Stipulations

Although not every rule can address every situation, with the approval of Church Council Rev. Benjamins will ordinarily agree to perform the wedding ceremonies of those who agree with the following:

 

1) They are practicing Christians who belong to the body of Christ. I

a)    They believe in the Lord Jesus Christ as their Lord and Savior.

b)    They walk in God's ways and conform to the law of God. 2

c)    They are confessing members (or actively plan to be) in good standing in a Christian church and regularly attend worship services every Sunday.

d)    They agree to worship and become members in the same congregation.

 

2) They agree to take premarital counseling courses.

 

3) Their wedding ceremony will be God-centered and faith building.

a)    The location of the ceremony will be conducive to reverence and worship. 3

b)    The Word of God and the pulpit will remain liturgically central to the service.

c)    The couple will use the forms and vows as printed in the Psalter Hymnal of the Christian Reformed Church. 4

d)    The music chosen for the ceremony will be overtly Christian in content.

 

4) Their wedding reception and celebrations will avoid worldliness, and be godly in character.

a)   If there is a dance with secular music and an open bar - it will be a small portion of the wedding festivities; it will not be the "main event".

b)   The distribution/sale of alcohol will be strictly supervised to prevent alcohol abuse.

c) All celebrations associated with the wedding (Buck & Does, Jack & Jills etc.) will uphold the above stipulations.

 

 

1 Art. 69a of the Church Order states: "Consistories shall instruct and admonish those under their spiritual care to marry only in the Lord".

2 Art. 69c of the Church Order states: "Ministers shall not solemnize marriages which would be in conflict with the Word of God.

3 C.O. article 69b states: "Marriage may be solemnized either in a worship service or in private gatherings of relatives and friends".

4 C.O. article 69 b states: "Christian marriages should be solemnized with appropriate admonitions, promises and prayers as provided for in the official form".