Church Building & Wedding Requests

[SolusChristus]

How does your church handle wedding requests from non-members? For example, do you require the bride or groom to be PCA/OPC (or whatever your denomination is) members or do you allow your church to be rented for weddings for Christians (not requiring church membership)?

Overall, I am curious how different churches handle these requests and what your requirements are.

 

[Clark-Tillian]

We do not allow them. We have a beautiful little handmade sanctuary that was constructed in 1842. Stained glass with zero 2nd Word image infractions! We could turn it into a money machine, but we refuse. It’s been the policy for decades.

 

[Edward]

"Our church policy is to invite PCPC members, a child of a member, or members in good standing of other PCA (Presbyterian Church of America) churches to have a wedding ceremony at PCPC."

Weddings at PCPC

Weddings at Park Cities Presbyterian Church

pcpc.org

 

[Edward]

I'll try to dig out a few more. Some churches that I would think would have policies either don't, or they aren't readily found. Here's a selection @SolusChristus :

First Presbyterian, Jackson MS

One of the parties applying to FPC must be a Member of FPC2, or whose
parents are members of FPC or be determined to be an Affiliate3;
3 The term “Affiliate” refers to a person who either was baptized at FPC; was previously a Member; whose
grandparent(s) are currently Members; was a full time member of the FPC staff or whose parent(s) held such a
position. The Church & Member Relations Committee and, in turn, the Session shall make this determination

https://fpcjackson.org/wp-content/uploads/2014/09/UPDATED-WEDDING-GUIDELINES-session-approved-12-12-17.pdf

10th Presbyterian Philadelphia

Either the bride or the groom is a member of Tenth, another PCA church, or a Tenth-affiliated church.

Weddings

We believe the Bible teaches that a Christian marriage is between a man and a woman who are both committed to following Christ and exemplifying his love for the Church (Ephesians 5:29-32). We are excited to serve you as you plan your wedding and prepare for life as a married couple. You may...

www.tenth.org

Covenant Presbyterian Nashville

Priority is given first to Covenant members and then to qualifying non-members. To be considered for a wedding here, the bride or groom must be a Covenant member or member of a PCA (Presbyterian Church in America) church only.

Weddings | Covenant Presbyterian Church | Nashville, TN

Covenant Presbyterian Church desires to use our building for the glory of God.

www.covenantpres.com

Independent Presbyterian Memphis

We are honored to allow Independent Presbyterian couples to use our campus for their wedding.

Weddings

www.ipcmemphis.org

Chirst the King Houston

Christ the King will host weddings for church members, member's children, and members of churches in the Houston Metro Presbytery who do not have a permanent facility.

Christ The King Houston - Weddings

www.christtheking.com

 

[SolusChristus]

I'll try to dig out a few more. Some churches that I would think would have policies either don't, or they aren't readily found. Here's a selection @SolusChristus :

First Presbyterian, Jackson MS

One of the parties applying to FPC must be a Member of FPC2, or whose
parents are members of FPC or be determined to be an Affiliate3;
3 The term “Affiliate” refers to a person who either was baptized at FPC; was previously a Member; whose
grandparent(s) are currently Members; was a full time member of the FPC staff or whose parent(s) held such a
position. The Church & Member Relations Committee and, in turn, the Session shall make this determination

https://fpcjackson.org/wp-content/uploads/2014/09/UPDATED-WEDDING-GUIDELINES-session-approved-12-12-17.pdf

10th Presbyterian Philadelphia

Either the bride or the groom is a member of Tenth, another PCA church, or a Tenth-affiliated church.

Weddings

We believe the Bible teaches that a Christian marriage is between a man and a woman who are both committed to following Christ and exemplifying his love for the Church (Ephesians 5:29-32). We are excited to serve you as you plan your wedding and prepare for life as a married couple. You may...

www.tenth.org

Covenant Presbyterian Nashville

Priority is given first to Covenant members and then to qualifying non-members. To be considered for a wedding here, the bride or groom must be a Covenant member or member of a PCA (Presbyterian Church in America) church only.

Weddings | Covenant Presbyterian Church | Nashville, TN

Covenant Presbyterian Church desires to use our building for the glory of God.

www.covenantpres.com

Independent Presbyterian Memphis

We are honored to allow Independent Presbyterian couples to use our campus for their wedding.

Weddings

www.ipcmemphis.org

Chirst the King Houston

Christ the King will host weddings for church members, member's children, and members of churches in the Houston Metro Presbytery who do not have a permanent facility.

Christ The King Houston - Weddings

www.christtheking.com

Thank you! This is all helpful information.

 

[Jake]

We have a historic building and get requests from time-to-time. We require sponsorship from a member (to be present and ensure rules are followed), one of our pastors to preform pre-marital counseling, and approval of the minister who officiates if not our own. Pretty much everyone not closely affiliated with the church isn't interested at that point.

I think closing it to non-members is a little harsh -- we have had students who transfer membership to a local church during college and/or early career who want to get married back at the church building. I think a scenario like this is fine for them to still get married in the building.

 

[Edward]

I think closing it to non-members is a little harsh -- we have had students who transfer membership to a local church during college and/or early career

As far as students and people who have temporarily relocated go, the PCA provides for that by allowing for Associate Membership at a church an the temporary location without surrendering membership in their prior church. BCO 46-4.