Church  Wedding  Policies  

Church Advisory Bulletin

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Marriage  Issues  

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Model  Policy  or  Bylaw  for  Missouri  Baptist  Churches  

1

Southern Baptist churches around the country are considering ways to re-affirm God’s unchanging Word regarding Christian Marriage, even as politicians and governments are embracing an “evolving” legal re-definition.

Religious Liberty advocates are

encouraging churches to practice “preventive law” by clearly defining the biblical basis for their marriage policies and by placing such policies in their important governing documents.

Establishing this kind of policy

may provide important evidence of the deeply held religious beliefs of the church concerning marriage and sexuality, should such issues arise in a legal context in the future. The First Amendment guarantees religious freedoms, including the freedom to organize worship services according to conscience. A policy can explain the First Amendment basis for your church’s position on weddings.

2

The following model policy was drafted in April 2013, by legal counsel for Missouri Baptist Churches, for informational and educational purposes. It is meant to start a conversation in local churches about whether they could benefit from such a policy in this legal climate.

Accordingly, it is not legal advice. The law may be different in your location, or at the time you read this. Our sample policy is not a substitute for professional, individual legal counsel.

Before you adopt a policy,

consult with a qualified attorney for advice about your church’s circumstances. Different churches in Missouri must take different steps to amend certain documents, depending upon whether the Church is incorporated under Chapter 352 or Chapter 355 of Missouri law. The wrong process could leave your governing documents confused, a situation that is potentially more damaging than having no policy at all.

Churches    &  Sexual  Orientation:  

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  Model  Wedding  Policy  or  Bylaw    For  Missouri  Baptist  Churches  

Our statement of faith, the Baptist Faith and Message 2000, expresses our

fundamental biblical conviction that Christian marriage is, by definition, the spiritual and physical uniting of one man and one woman in an exclusive covenant commitment for their joint lifetime. Christian marriage is God's unique gift to reveal the union between Christ and His Church. As such, this local church believes that wedding ceremonies on church property are spiritual observances of worship of God who created this divine institution. As worship services, weddings on church property shall be officiated by one or more ordained ministers of the gospel. The church may decline to make its facilities or ministers available for any wedding if it is determined that one or both of the parties are not biblically and/or legally qualified to marry. Such determinations may be made by the [pastor, church council, or wedding committee, etc.], subject to the direction of the church.

No minister [or employee] of the Church shall officiate at any marriage

ceremony unless such marriage is consistent with this policy.