To assist in making your wedding day special and to uphold the sacredness of marriage, please read the following policy Heritage Baptist Church is committed to the design of God Himself for marriage as set forth in Scripture. In light of this commitment, we take seriously our responsibilities as a church and as pastors in the wedding process, both before and after the wedding itself.
It is the policy of Heritage Baptist Church that any couple desiring to use the church facilities meet certain requirements. Any exceptions to this policy must be authorized by the Senior Pastor.
By definition, a Christian marriage is comprised of a man and a woman who have each individually committed their lives to Jesus Christ. “Do not be yoked together with unbelievers. For … what does a believer have in common with an unbeliever?” 2 Corinthians 6:14a, 15b
Requirements of the Bride and Groom 1. Both parties must be Christians and not in violation of the standards set in Scripture (1 Cor. 7). 2. Either the bride or the groom must be a member of or actively attending Heritage Baptist Church. 3. Both must agree to complete approved premarital counseling sessions. The pastor is not under obligation to marry the couple until sufficient counseling has been completed. 4. Divorced parties will meet with a pastor for extended counseling sessions (four to six months) prior to his agreement to officiate at the ceremony. 5. Both must meet all legal requirements for marriage in the Commonwealth of Virginia.
Guidelines for the Use of Church Facilities 1. The Wedding Master Calendar Request form must be filled out and approved by Pastor Kent before the wedding date will be placed on the Master Calendar. 2. A copy of the Wedding Policy must be picked up in the church office and the Wedding Application and Information and the Premarital Counseling Contract must be filled out and returned. 3. The officiating pastor must be a part of or approved by the Senior Pastor of Heritage Baptist Church. 4. Heritage Baptist Church views the use of the facilities for the wedding ceremony as a ministry to the people of Heritage.
FAQ Q:How long does the premarital process take at Heritage? A: In order to process the paperwork and conduct interviews and counseling sessions, we ask for at least a six-month lead time.
Q: Why do we have to have premarital counseling? A: The time in premarital counseling allows us to address and deal with issues together before they become marriage-breakers.
Q: How long does the counseling take? A: Premarital counseling takes a minimum of four to six months.
So what do I need to do? 1. Determine if you meet the requirements. 2. Come to the church office and fill out a Wedding Master Calendar Request Form. 3. Speak with Pastor Kent concerning counseling and approval. 4. If approved, fill out and return the following: Premarital Counseling Contract Wedding Application and Information
More things to know: 1. Wedding requests cannot be submitted on-line. You must come to the church. 2. Fees are based on rooms used and clean-up arrangements. 3. For any questions contact Regina Case in the church office.
Marriage is a sacred union ordained by God to be a lifetime commitment. Mark 10:6-9 states, “at the beginning of creation God made them male and female. For this reason a man will leave his father and mother and be united to his wife and the two will become one flesh. So they are no longer two, but one. Therefore what God has joined together, let not man separate.”
Marriage is a reflection of the pure love Christ has for His bride, the Church, and the relationship of the husband and wife to each other.
