“…AND THEY SHALL BECOME ONE FLESH.” GENESIS 2:24
You have made the decision to enter into the sacred covenant of marriage. We at Speak the Word Church International celebrate and respect the institution of marriage. Therefore, we do not take it lightly when we are called upon to perform the marriage ceremony. This letter is written to clarify the process in place to prepare you for your life together as husband and wife. It is also written to reveal our hearts concerning marriage as Pastors officiating your wedding.
Your wedding is important to us because it is more than an event. It is a doorway into a new life together. We believe in doing our best to prepare you for what you will experience on the other side of that door. The days before your wedding day can be spent wisely as you fulfill the requirements we believe are necessary to prepare and equip you to be an unbeatable team. These include the following:
- The Bible says in Hebrews 13:4 (Message Bible), “Honor marriage, and guard the sacredness of sexual intimacy between husband and wife. God draws a firm line against illicit and casual sex.” Cohabitation is not an option for believers in Jesus Christ as it violates the sacredness of the marriage bed. Sexual intimacy is pure in the context of marriage only. Therefore, cohabitation is a choice to rebel against God’s authority and God’s ways. This pattern will hinder you from experiencing the blessings of God on your lives and your marriage.
- Prepare/Enrich Inventory- The Prepare/Enrich Inventory reveals your strength and growth areas as a couple. It reveals if you have a realistic view of married life. The Prepare/Enrich Inventory also facilitates the connection between the Pastor and the couple. We believe that this is important for the marriage ceremony and for the future of the union.
- 6 Month Waiting Period- Your wedding is the beginning of your life together. It is an awesome arrangement. Beautiful and awesome arrangements take time to construct. We believe that it is worth the wait. We also believe that your relationship should be able to stand the test of time. During the 6 months, you can fulfill the other requirements and plan your wedding. You can also strengthen your relationship with each other and develop your relationship with the Pastor. These will all work together to lay a solid foundation for your marriage.
The blueprint for marriage is found in Ephesians 5:15-33. The key to the marriage relationship is your relationship with God. We encourage you to give God His rightful place in your life. Successful relationships flow out of our relationship with God. We look forward to working with you through the process and beyond so that your marriage will stand as an example for others.