What do we believe about marriage?
Marriage is an institution ordained by God, an institution, which he 
designed for our pleasure and fulfillment. God created the institution of marriage at the very beginning of time. He created man in his own image and then made a companion for him in life. He brought the woman to the man and declared, "For this reason a man shall leave his father and his mother and shall be united with his wife, and they shall become one flesh." (Genesis 2:24)
Jesus Christ also honored marriage by his attendance at the wedding in Cana. In his ministry, Jesus confirmed marriage as a divine ordinance, an honorable relationship, and a lasting bond when he said, "What God has joined together let no man separate." The Apostle Paul highlighted the significance of marriage when he called marriage a symbol of the union of the Savior and the Church.
The Bible tells us that Christians who marry confirm that marriage is a permanent relationship based on commitment. It is also an exclusive relationship which holds within itself certain privileges that are not to be experienced outside of marriage. The Bible spells out clearly that mutual submission and respect are essential to the marriage relationship and that adultery or sex outside the marriage relationship is sinful and thereby damaging to our relationship with God and with one another.
What Is the Process for Getting Married at Christ Church?
Congratulations on your decision to get married. We think it's important for you to understand some of the basic commitments Christ Church will ask of you if we decide to conduct your marriage ceremony. We will ask you to engage with us in the following ways:
- Attend Worship: We invite you to attend worship services here for 3-4 weeks prior to submitting your application. We want you to find out who we are as a church, so you know the context into which you are entering.
- Submit Application (with deposit and photo) Once your application is received, your date will be held as pending contingent upon an initial pastoral interview. For your own sake, please be aware that we are not responsible for reservations that you might make elsewhere which may end up being changed. Please wait until you receive written confirmation before making arrangements.
- Pastoral Interview: Once your application is received, we will be set up an initial interview with Pastor of Marriage. Once completed satisfactorily, you will then begin sessions with the pastor requested or assigned to do your marriage. [You may request a pastor on your application; if they are available, they will be assigned. If not, we will work with you to find a suitable match. If you are unsure of whom you would like, please let us know upfront and we will be happy to help you in your selection.]
- Participate in a Premarital Seminar. This Saturday event provides valuable instruction in marriage skills and opportunity to meet other couples on the similar journey.
- Preparetm You and your partner fill out online a premarital inventory. [Cost included in your fees.]
- Pastoral Counseling Sessions: Meet with your pastor to discuss the Preparetm inventory and to plan the wedding ceremony. (3-6 sessions)
- Attend Christ Church worship services during the time of your engagement and look for ways to become involved in the life of the church. We want to be a resource to you over the long haul of your relationship, not just at the beginning.
- If previously divorced: If you have been divorced, we ask that there be at least a one year waiting period between the time of the divorce and your wedding. In addition, we ask that you attend a Divorce Recovery Program. This is offered at the Church as well as in other neighboring churches.
- Role of Faith: Most importantly, we will ask you to do some serious reflection and discussion regarding the role Jesus Christ plays in your life; your commitment to follow him in your marriage; and ways that you might nurture and encourage your faith in your marriage. We will want to know that you can subscribe in both principle and practice to the Christian concepts for marriage.
- Time Needed: In order to insure that we have adequate time to walk through all these steps we ask that a minimum of six months be given to fulfill all the requirements.
Why do we ask engaged couples to commit to so many classes, counseling sessions, and assessments? The bottom line answer is that we believe marriage is God’s idea of blessing human
ity. It’s important. It’s not to be entered into lightly. So we as a church and staff believe we have a responsibility, before God, to prepare people for a marriage that will last a lifetime. Christ Church wants to help break the cycle of divorce that plagues our culture. We also want to get to know you and have you get to know us. We believe that marriages thrive when faith is alive and when a couple is vitally linked to a faith community.
Please email us at
for the dates and times of the next premarital seminar. Please send us the completed application and the premarital questionnaire (one for each of you). This information is needed prior to your initial pastoral interview. Please attach a picture of the two of you to the application.
God's gracious hand be upon you,
The Pastoral Staff
How to get started:
You can download the application now and get the process started.
FAQs
Some of the questions you may have will be addressed in the Frequently Asked Questions. Read and print the Wedding FAQs for your reference.
Configurations
Click here for information about various wedding configurations at Christ Church.