WEDDING POLICIES

Since Scripture clearly states believers should not be unequally yoked, we will not perform marriages of believers with non-believers. Scripture takes a strong stand in regard to the permanence of marriage and against divorce and remarriage. In order to remain above reproach and to hold forth the highest standard in this important matter, we will not perform any marriage involving divorced persons who do not meet with the limited exceptions of Scripture. We see the exceptions of Scripture to include:

- Sexual unfaithfulness of spouse (Matthew 5:32, 19:9)
- A believer who has been divorced by an unbelieving spouse and has made every attempt to make restoration. (I Corinthians 7:15)
- Former spouse has remarried (Deuteronomy 24:3-4)

In support of these beliefs about marriage, we have established the following standards for those who desire to be married at RBC.

Basic Standards for Reston Bible Church Weddings

1. At least six months advance notification
We advise you to come into our marriage preparation process as soon as you are thinking seriously of being married or well before your desired wedding date, most importantly to allow time for pre-marital counseling.

2. A dating relationship for a minimum of six months before engagement
There is no shortcut to building intimacy, trust and communication. While some people have skills and maturity which enable them to build an intimate relationship faster than others, in light of the permanent nature of a marriage relationship we recommend one-year dating/engagement relationship prior to marriage.

3. Sexual Purity - a cohabiting couple, or an unbeliever and a believer cannot be married at RBC
While many of those who come to us are believers who honor God through abstaining from sexual intimacy, there are a number who do not fall into this category.

Therefore, there will be a time in your process when you or your fiancée will be given the opportunity to have a personal relationship with Jesus Christ, and choose God’s directives concerning the abstinence from premarital sex, and/or the appearances of such (2 Cor. 6:3). Couples who may be living together, or enjoying one another on a physically intimate level, are asked to make a covenant to abstain from sex and to move apart until their marriage day. Reston Bible Church will not schedule a wedding date until the future bride and groom can genuinely confess Jesus Christ as Lord, and have made a covenant to abstain from sexual intimacy and live apart until their wedding day.

4. Premarital Counseling
Because proper preparation is helpful to the success of a marriage, we require that both parties attend premarital counseling sessions recommended by an RBC pastor. Premarital counseling focuses on helping couples evaluate and strengthen their relationships according to sound Biblical truths. Biblical roles for marriage, communication, intimacy, sexuality, and other topics are addressed in an understandable and practical style.

5. If divorced or widowed, at least one year of legal divorce or widowhood
In the case of divorce, we believe that a new relationship should not be pursued until the potential for a biblical reconciliation has been exhausted and sufficient time for personal recovery has passed. The premarital mentoring process, therefore, will not begin until at least one year has elapsed from widowhood or the time the divorce was made legally final. Each request for marriage involving a divorced individual will be considered individually by an RBC pastor.

NOTE: Due to the individual nature of interpersonal relationships and levels of maturity, there may be some exceptions to these guidelines if approved by the Pastor you are working with in you marriage process.

We have outlined the basic steps involved in having a wedding at Reston Bible Church below. This process is not intended to be a rigid system. It is intended to be a set of guidelines that have been carefully formulated to provide for you the best possible preparation, for your wedding day, and for your marriage.

Marriage Preparation Process

Step 1: Thoroughly review this Wedding Policy and the Wedding Facility Policy.

Step 2: Complete the Premarital Counseling Questionnaire (download at bottom of this page).
If the guidelines in the policies are met and you wish to proceed, fill out the Premarital Counseling Questionnaire. These profiles are not intended to be a test that you pass or fail; rather they are intended to provide an opportunity for both of you to openly discuss key areas of growth in your relationship as you meet with your pastor for pre-marital counseling.

Step 3: Contact a Pastor.
Call the pastor who you are requesting to officiate at your ceremony, and schedule an appointment. The pastors currently available to perform weddings are Paul Goodnight, Jeff McCann, and Bob Shull. Our pastoral intern, Jason VanDorsten is also available and licensed to perform weddings. You will bring your completed Premarital Counseling Questionnaires with you to this appointment. Since facilities and available dates are limited, we suggest that you complete this step as quickly as possible.

Step 4: Contact a Wedding Coordinator.
Once your appointment with an RBC pastor is confirmed, immediately contact one of RBC’s Wedding Coordinators:
Peggy Franklin at 703-421-2127 or at pfranklin_179@msn.com
Diane Sheldon at 703-471-5018 or at dianesheldon@restonbible.org

The Wedding Coordinator will get your contact information as well as your requested wedding date(s). She will get in touch with the pastor after your scheduled appointment to get pastoral approval for the wedding.

Step 5: Confirm Wedding Date
After the Wedding Coordinator has received pastoral approval for the wedding, she will coordinate with you and with RBC Facilities to officially schedule the wedding and wedding rehearsal on the church calendar.

Step 6: Meet with a Wedding Coordinator and Pastor.
The Wedding Coordinator will arrange to meet with you to guide you in the use of the facilities and to answer any questions you may have. She will be available to work with you on issues related to the wedding right up to the day of the ceremony. You will need to schedule meetings with the pastor during this time as well – for counseling as well as to discuss the actual wedding ceremony.

Step 7: Rehearsal
The Wedding Coordinator and Pastor will be at the rehearsal to help you make decisions regarding the actual ceremony. We will lead you and the wedding party in rehearsing the ceremony. If possible, all those who will have a part in the wedding should be at the wedding rehearsal.

Step 8: Wedding Day
At last your wedding day has arrived! May God bless your ceremony, as you have been faithful to build upon His foundation and design for marriage.

Wedding Facility Policy

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