Marriage Policy
1. Premarital counseling is required for every couple who requests a marriage ceremony. After the initial meeting the pastor will decide if he should perform the ceremony.
2. The Senior Pastor does not perform marriages for couples who have had a divorce. Divorced people need more personal ministry time with the pastor before proceeding to the marriage ceremony. Divorced couples will be referred to other staff members who can devote the premarital counseling time to them.
3. The Senior Pastor does not perform any marriages during the month of December.
4. The Senior Pastor does not perform marriages for people outside of our church membership. This is because it takes time to build a relationship with people in order to counsel them properly. Also we want to have an on going relationship with the couple after the wedding.
5. It is the churches sincere belief that marriage is between a man and a woman. We do not perform marriages for those who do not agree with our doctrinal position of marriage.
We do not allow our facilities to be used by anyone who does not adhere to our doctrinal beliefs.
Note from Pastor Gary:
Please understand I am staying focused on what God has called me to do at Grace Tabernacle. While many would like the Senior Pastor to perform their marriage ceremony, they have to understand this is not my primary responsibility. Weddings themselves and the counseling involved take a lot of time and energy. The ministerial staff and Elders of Grace Tabernacle are more than able to assist people with weddings and the counseling issues that are necessary.
