Midland Evangelical Church

Because of our experience working with couples and successfully preparing for marriage, we have developed the following guidelines:

1. Overview of Requirements

• Complete Wedding Application, PREPARE inventory and approval process (reserve dates on calendar)
• Attend Preparing for Marriage Course, meet with a mentor couple and with a Pastor prior to marriage. (Includes all Biblical sessions and book reading).  Course is offered once a year and includes 6-8 sessions.  If course is not available, material is covered by Pastor and Mentor Couple.
• Adhere to Preparing for Marriage Counseling Covenant (accountable to officiating Pastor and mentor couple)

Required Book Reading for Preparing for Marriage Course

• Preparing for Marriage by Dennis Rainey
• Love and Respect by Emerson & Sara Eggerich
• Complete Financial Guide for Young Couples by Larry Burkett
• His Needs Her Needs by Willard F. Harley, Jr.

Other Recommended Reading

• Saving Your Marriage Before is Starts by Drs. Les & Leslie Parrott
• The Five Love Languages by Gary Chapman
• Intended for Pleasure by Ed Wheat M.D. & Gaye Wheat

2. If divorced, how long should we wait before remarrying?

We believe that a new relationship should not be pursued until the potential of a healthy reconciliation has been exhausted and time for personal recovery has passed. We encourage at least two years to have elapsed from the time the divorce was made legally final. We encourage a divorced person to participate in counseling sessions that address recovery from a divorce, as well as to explore the possibility and/or wisdom of reconciliation, remarriage, and singleness.

When children are involved we move carefully forward.

3. How long do we have to be a couple before we consider marriage?

We recommend at least six months of dating and six months of engagement.

We call this the “Test of Time.”  Marriage is one of the most important lifetime decisions and commitments a couple will ever make. Take time to truly know each other, make the proper preparations and undertake the relational work that needs to be completed prior to saying “I Do.”

4. How long does it take to prepare for a wedding?

At least one year is highly recommended due to the process and the need for advanced booking of outside reception halls. We advise you to come into our Preparing for Marriage process as soon as you are thinking seriously of being married or well before your desired wedding date.

5. If a couple breaks their vow of purity (covenant) it is the officiating pastor’s discretion to postpone or terminate the wedding plans.