CHAPTER V

Marriage was instituted by God when He saw that is was not good that man should be alone. Jesus Christ blessed this relationship by His presence at the wedding feast at Cana in Galilee. It was given a crown of glory by the Apostle Paul, who compares it with that holy union which exists between Christ and His Church in which Christ is called the Bridegroom, and His Church the Bride. Therefore, a man and woman may enter together into the estate of marriage, pledging their love and promising fidelity to each other, as long as they both shall live.
It is to be expected that both of the partners are professing Christians, and that they will share a common Christian faith.
Before any man and woman are joined in marriage they shall fulfill all the lawful requirements of the state in which the marriage is to be performed. The couple shall provide satisfactory evidence of being prepared to enter upon marriage with maturity and wisdom.
If, after counseling, the minister is not convinced in his conscience of the propriety of the marriage under the laws of the state and of Holy Scripture, as interpreted in the Standards of this Church, he shall not perform the ceremony.
The Christian marriage ceremony is a service of worship before God, normally conducted in the house of God. As in all other services of worship, reverence shall be expected on the part of all present. The service shall be under the sole direction of the minister.
The order for the marriage service shall include a brief statement of the meaning of Christian marriage. There shall be prayers for the couple as they enter their new estate. There shall be an exchange of vows between the man and the woman. There may be an exchange of rings, or the giving of a ring to the woman by the man. There may be a charge to them, laying before them the privileges and obligations which they are about to receive and undertake. There shall be a declaration by the minister that the man and woman standing before him are now joined in marriage according to the ordinance of God and the law of the state. The service shall conclude with a benediction.
The minister shall comply with all requirements of the state for the proper performance and registration of the marriage. He shall also see that the Church maintains an adequate record of all marriages within the congregation.