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A wedding is a worship service that is to glorify God.
It is also a spiritual celebration when God joins two people sacredly,
making them one. A service of Christian marriage should symbolically
emphasize the Christian view of family commitment and should be in
harmony with the teaching of the Bible. Therefore,
In accordance to the Biblical principle of being "equally yoked", ACC requires that in a church wedding, the bride and groom must be believers.
As an outreach to the community, an ACC pastor may conduct a wedding at ACC for nonbelievers on the stipulation that they are willing to go through at least 4 sessions of premarital counseling. In the couples' eyes, ACC is exercising our State-given authority to officiate weddings, but in the church's eyes, ACC is teaching them how God and applying God's principles will enrich their marriage. It will be made clear in each wedding by whose authority (State or Church) will the ceremony be conducted under.
In regards to an "unequally yoked" wedding, an ACC pastor may conduct it under the authorization of the State but not at ACC. While it may seem to be better if both parties are not believers in wanting the wedding conducted at ACC, the point of the restriction is to strongly discourage an unequally yoked union. It also follows the principles stated in the ACC membership conduct handbook.
Marriages involving a divorcee will be approved by ACC pastors/elders when qualifications for remarriage are met (i.e. Biblical grounds for divorce and remarriage).
In order for your wedding to go smoothly from start to finish, we ask that you read this policy and procedure handbook carefully. The following information has been developed to insure that each rite of marriage held in ACC is in keeping with the standards of godliness and wholesomeness that every Christian couple desires for their special day. We are here to answer your questions and offer any counsel you might need. We urge you to make full preparations for both the wedding day and the spiritual life you will have together.
Policy & Procedure
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