Christian Marriage

Within the Reformed & Presbyterian 
Christian Tradition

 

Introduction
Marriage is a gift God has given all humankind for the well being of the entire human family.  Marriage is a civil contract between a woman and a man.  For Christians, marriage is a covenant through which a man and a woman are called to live out their lives together before God.  In a service of Christian Marriage, a lifelong commitment is made by a woman and a man to each other, publicly witnessed and acknowledged by the community of faith.  (cf. Book of Order, Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.))

We believe that all who come to this church will recognize the marriage ceremony as a service of Christian worship, a sacred religious act.  The conduct of the ceremony should therefore be in accord with the best known practices and principles of the Presbyterian Church and the Reformed tradition.  We request that all who participate in a wedding service would regard this as a service of worship, and that their conduct would reflect this understanding.

Based on Scripture and historic Christian Tradition, it is the position of the Church of all couples who come desiring a Christian marriage ceremony that at least one has professed their faith in Jesus Christ as Lord through baptism and are committed to some particular Christian fellowship.  Those who desire to use the facilities of any congregation within the Presbyterian Church (USA) for their wedding service may do so under the direction of the pastor and the congregation’s Session of Elders, providing they fulfill all the requirements, and covenant to respect the tradition of the Christian community who gathers there and make reverent use of the facilities.

 

Statement on the Gift of Marriage

The couple must be able to affirm the following faith Statement on the Gift of Marriage.  If either or both disagree with any portion as a matter of personal conscious as to the Statement’s scriptural interpretation, they may counsel with the pastor and the elders to whether the difference is essential to the Reformed faith.

 

God created us male and female, and gave us marriage so that husband and wife may help and comfort each other, living faithfully together in plenty and in want, in joy and in sorrow, in sickness and in health, throughout all their days.

God gave us marriage for the full expression of the love between a man and a woman. In marriage a woman and a man belong to each other, and with affection and tenderness freely give themselves to each other.

God gave us marriage for the well-being of human society, for the ordering of family life, and for the birth and nurture of children.

God gave us marriage as a holy mystery in which a man and a woman are joined together, and become one, just as Christ is one with the church.

In marriage, husband and wife are called to a new way of life, created, ordered, and blessed by God. This way of life must not be entered into carelessly, or from selfish motives, but responsibly, and prayerfully.

We rejoice that marriage is given by God, blessed by our Lord Jesus Christ, and sustained by the Holy Spirit. Therefore, let marriage be held in honor by all.

-Book of Common Worship (1993)