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Weddings at Beal Heights

Regarding Weddings at BHPC

Pre-Marriage Counseling And Wedding Policies

Qualifications and Approval

We believe the Scriptures teach that marriage is an institution established by God, and that it is a lifetime commitment. We also believe an understanding of the biblical foundation for marriage is essential for any couple considering marriage. For those requesting Pre-Marriage Counseling, asking to be married, or inquiring about the use of our facilities, we require:

1.Both partners give clear testimony of being born-again believers, who personally trust in Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of their sins and for eternal life.
2.Current, active membership in an evangelical congregation by the time of the ceremony.
3.Both partners be scripturally qualified to marry.
4.Both believing partners be committed to a Christian marriage, as defined in the Bible.
5.The couple be married by a Session (Board of Elders) -approved Officiant, who holds to the teaching of Scripture. If the Officiant is unknown to us, one or more church Elders will meet with him for approval.
6.Both partners be willing to complete our Pre-Marriage Counseling or a church Elder-approved Pre-Marriage Counseling program.
7.The wedding participants abide by the Building Use Policies of the church.

Pre-Marriage Counseling

The ideal would be to enter into Pre-Marriage Counseling before having made a commitment to one another. In view of the seriousness of the commitment you are considering and the importance of the material to be covered, couples should allow at least four (preferably 6) months before their marriage to complete the counseling comfortably.

The our church's Pre-Marriage Counseling is designed to assist the couple in building a biblical understanding and foundation for their marriage and consists of five basic parts:

1.The Criteria for Marriage
2.Christian Marriage I: Basics
3.Christian Marriage II: A Christian Husband, A Christian Wife
4.Before Your Marriage
5.Your Wedding and After

We want to be very clear that going through Pre-Marriage Counseling does not guarantee approval of your marriage. The Officiant/Pre-Marriage Counselor assigned to you must be satisfied that you understand and meet the requirements and qualifications for marriage before approval. Wedding dates are penciled in on the Master Calendar until final approval. Invitations should not be sent until final approval is received.

Your Wedding Ceremony and the Church Facilities Use

Your wedding ceremony and accompanying music is expected to be Christ-centered, God honoring, spiritually edifying, and in good taste. Any departure from traditional music and ceremony requires prior approval of the Elder overseeing Pre-Marriage Counseling or the Session-approved Officiant. The couple should ask themselves how their ceremony and music will bring honor to the Lord.

It is the desire of the church to make the building available to the Lord's people who wish to use it for weddings and to minimize the expense for them. For church members, there is no cost for use of the building, unless extensive plans incur above-normal clean-up or utlities costs. Non-church members may contact the church office to determine the wedding fee. Reserved dates for the wedding and rehearsal are tentatively penciled in, awaiting approval of the marriage Officiant/ Pre-Marriage Counselor. The fee is fully refundable if the wedding is canceled. Reservation requests and subsequent confirmation are considered on the basis of: 1) the clear testimony of personal salvation on the part of both partners and your biblical eligibility for marriage; 2) the approval by the church Elders of the Officiant, and 3) your willingness to actively participate in a Pre-Marriage Counseling program.