This afternoon Eastside Baptist Church adopted new policy, based on Scripture, to help wedding parties understand with clarity that Eastside Baptist Church does not approve, condone, participate in or in any way recognize any marriage that is not between one man and one woman.
The full policy is posted at www.esbcTwinFalls.com
Eastside Southern Baptist Church
Wedding and Marriage Policy
Wedding and Marriage Policy for Eastside Southern Baptist Church:
All weddings that are requested to take place on Eastside Southern Baptist Church (ESBC) property or parties requesting a minister of ESBC to officiate a wedding ceremony must be scheduled through a pastor. All pastors of ESBC are required to follow the guidelines of this policy.
This marriage and wedding policy was established by Eastside Southern Baptist Church to express our belief and to help you in your planning. ESBC holds that the marriage ceremony is a sacred occasion and should be performed with high honor to the glory of God. We believe that marriage is established by God and should be done with care and respect to biblical authority.
It is not required that you believe all that is stated in this policy, but if use of ESBC property or requesting an ESBC pastor to officiate your wedding you will be required to submit to the following policy. With respect to you and the law of our land, others in the region are able to perform ceremonies that don’t meet the standard set forth in this policy.
Please note: ESBC does not approve, condone, participate in or in any way recognize any marriage that is not between one man and one woman. Same-sex “marriages” will not be performed at ESBC and the pastors of ESBC are not permitted to officiate same-sex “marriages.” Nor will ESBC and the pastors of ESBC approve, condone, and participate in any marriage ceremony that is opposed to Holy Scripture.
Definition of Marriage:
Marriage is the uniting of one man and one woman in covenant commitment for a lifetime. It is God’s unique gift to reveal the union between Christ and His church and to provide for the man and the woman in marriage the framework for intimate companionship, the channel of sexual expression according to biblical standards, and the means for procreation of the human race. (Baptist Faith and Message 2000)
Non-Eastside Southern Baptist Pastors:
We do allow non-ESBC pastors to officiate the ceremony and/or premarital counseling. In the event that an ESBC pastor is not performing the ceremony or participating in it, you must choose an ESBC pastor as a sponsor to oversee the process. All requirements of this policy must be followed for non-ESBC pastors/ministers.
Premarital Counseling:
ESBC requires 5-6 hours of premarital counseling. The premarital counseling may be conducted by a non-ESBC pastor, approved by an ESBC pastor.
Other:
• A church wedding is a service of ESBC and the music should honor and glorify the Lord Jesus Christ. In order to assure appropriate music is used, the final approval of any musician and all music used in the ceremony and reception rests with an ESBC pastor. Use of any sound equipment will need to be coordinated with a pastor and qualified technician.
• No alcohol (exception of wine for communion with bride and groom) or smoking is permitted anywhere on church property.
• Any damage done to the building or property related to the wedding party will be the responsibility of the wedding party.
• It is the responsibility of the wedding party to clean ESBC rooms used during the rehearsal and wedding ceremony after use of the building.
December, 2014