God has ordained that a man and woman may enter together into marriage, pledging their love and promising fidelity each to one another, as long as both shall live. At Stave Creek Baptist Church, we feel that marriage is a Holy institution, ordained by God and we are happy to offer the Christian service of uniting a man and a woman in marriage. We believe that marriage is a union between one man and one woman based on Biblical principles (Genesis 2:19-24; Leviticus 18:22; Matthew 19:4-6; Romans 1:18- 27; Ephesians 5:22-33; Hebrews 13:14). We believe that God sanctions only the union in marriage of a man to a woman. Therefore, Stave Creek Baptist Church sanctions only marriages and marriage ceremonies compatible with those standards. Due to our beliefs in the Biblical teachings about marriage, same sex couples will not be married in any facilities of Stave Creek Baptist Church or on any properties owned by the church. Ministers or staff members of Stave Creek Baptist Church will not perform any same sex marriages or civil unions whether on or off the properties of the church. Doing so will be grounds for termination. The following are policies which we, Stave Creek Baptist Church, ask every Bride and Groom to follow. 1. Service of Worship: All weddings will be officiated by one of the church staff. If the couple wishes to use another minister this must be approved by the Pastor. The service must be a ceremony pleasing to God and in compliance with the church. The music must be approved by the Minister of Music. 2. Premarital Counseling: All couples marrying at Stave Creek Baptist Church must engage in Premarital Counseling. This counseling will be with a staff member of Stave Creek Baptist Church or someone approved by the Pastor. The counselor will determine the number of counseling sessions. 3. Decorations: We at Stave Creek Baptist Church feel that the Sanctuary is a Holy Place. Therefore we go to great extent to keep it nice and we expect all parties using it to do the same. Flowers and candles are permitted in the sanctuary, but the following precautions will be observed. a. No nails or screws will be driven into walls, floors or furnishings. b. Carpet and other surfaces will be protected from wax drip by a protective cloth. c. Protective cloths or drip pans must be placed under all plants containing moisture. d. No candles or plants are to be placed on the organ, piano, pulpit or choir rail. e. No food in the sanctuary. f. Reception items may be checked out from the Stewardship Team If anything is damaged during the wedding or rehearsal, the couple will be expected to pay for repairs. 4. Scheduling: In order to rule out possibility of conflict of dates, the facilities may be reserved for particular dates only after staff consultation. Final reservations can only be given after “Wedding Information Form” and $50 (1 st installment of fees) are returned. Reservations for weddings are scheduled on a first come, first serve basis for members of Stave Creek Baptist Church. The Church is available on a limited basis to non-members for weddings. No wedding will be scheduled at Stave Creek Baptist Church until the couple has their first counseling session with the Pastor. Once the wedding has been placed on the calendar, the wedding party
will be referred to a Ministerial Staff member. This Ministerial Staff will be responsible for supplying all necessary information, which will include “Wedding Policies” and “Wedding Application Form”. Once the “Wedding Application Form” is completed and turned in to the Financial Secretary, the church staff will be notified to confirm reservation. 5. Facilities: No use of tobacco or alcohol is permitted in facility or on the church grounds. There will be no dancing or inappropriate music permitted in facility or on church grounds. No rice, confetti or birdseed will be thrown in the building. Birdseed is permitted outside. Wedding party may check out a key from the church office. Wedding party will be responsible for returning key immediately after the wedding. Wedding party is responsible for turning off lights, heating or cooling after rehearsal and wedding. 6. Costs: $50 of fees due with application. Member*
Sanctuary $200 Fellowship Hall $100 (when used with sanctuary) Clean Up Fee $100 for each Self-Clean Up $100 deposit, which will be refunded if properly cleaned.
Non-Member (sponsored by a member*) Sanctuary $400 Fellowship Hall $200 Clean Up Fee $100 for each Self-Clean Up $100 deposit, which will be refunded if properly cleaned. Extras: If the wedding party would like to use the Church pianist or organist they will have to work that out with those individuals personally. Our sound system can only be operated by one of our sound system personnel. If you need the sound system, the church office will secure that person, but the wedding party will be required to pay them. The fee will be determined by the sound person. 7. Damages: *Member is responsible for any damages. The costs of the damages will be determined by the Stewardship Committee at current replacement costs.