Midland Evangelical Church

Getting Started

1. Complete the Wedding Application and Preparing for Marriage Counseling Covenant. 

Submit to Care Ministries Assistant at the Midland Free church office with a check for $30.00, payable to Midland Free to cover PREPARE inventory - a premarital counseling tool. (Submission triggers step #2)

2. Complete PREPARE inventory online (email addresses required).

The PREPARE Inventory will be emailed to you directly from Life Innovations, Inc., evaluated and a report sent to Care Pastor.  (Completing #2 triggers #3)

3. Interview Appointment

After the PREPARE inventory report has been reviewed by the Care Pastor, a staff member will contact you to set up your initial interview.  During the interview, the Wedding Application, the Preparing for Marriage Counseling Covenant and the PREPARE inventory report will be reviewed. This is a two-hour appointment.

4. Pastoral Evaluation

The officiating Pastor will meet with the Senior Pastor to either approve the wedding application and reserve the date on the church calendar or request more information from the couple.

5. Care Ministries Assistant will contact the couple when the wedding application has been approved. 

Facility reservations and fees will be discussed.  The Wedding Coordinator will contact the couple to discuss ceremony and rehearsal details. A Facility Request Form must be completed at this time.

6. The most valuable and extensive time in the Preparing for Marriage process is meeting with various individuals committed to helping create a successful marriage. These individuals are:

• The Pastor: The Pastor performing the ceremony will oversee the Preparing for Marriage process. He will lead the couple through a series of meetings where Biblical guidelines for marriage, parenting, and other practical matters will be discussed.  He will be evaluating the couple’s ability to make a commitment.  All assignments must be completed prior to marriage. (The last assignment is the outline of the ceremony due two weeks prior to the wedding. See #7 below)
  
• The Preparing for Marriage Mentors: The mentor couple will help discuss similar issues as the Pastor.  They work on the marital relationship and day-to-day issues such as roles, family, living arrangements, work issues, communication and finances. The mentors will work in conjunction with the Pastor and will be asked for a final assessment at least a month prior to the marriage date. 
  
• The Preparing For Marriage Course: This course, usually offered January - March, covers the main Biblical texts and topics.  It is taught by lay ministry team members.  If a couple’s schedule does not allow them to attend the class the sessions need to be covered by the Pastor and/or the mentor couple. The content of this course must be completed prior to marriage.

7. Meet with the Pastor to plan wedding ceremony.

Readings, music, vows and other specifics will be discussed. All music must be approved (This must be done no later than two weeks prior to the wedding date).