Wedding Policy

Migrated from the By-Laws attachments to the Church Operations Plan per Motion 3, adopted July 26, 2026. Recorded July 30, 2026.

• Oversight Board: Mayflower Board of Elders
• Effective Date: 10-21-24
• Version Number: 2

Policy Statement: It is the policy of Mayflower Church that wedding ceremonies performed at the church and by church staff are biblical. All marriages at Mayflower Church and by its staff must be biblical.

Purpose: The purpose of this Wedding Policy is to define biblical marriage.

Limitations: This policy does not supersede any personal policy held by a pastor of the church. In areas of discontinuity, Mayflower Church will adhere to whichever is most strict. For example, a pastor may have a policy that he absolutely does not remarry people who have divorced. The church may allow it under biblical circumstances. In which case the pastor's policy is stricter and would be followed.

Description

A biblical marriage:

• Is comprised of one biological male (groom) and one biological female (bride).
• Is between a Bride and Groom who both profess Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior.
• Is a God-ordained covenant with each other to be one flesh, and to live in faithfulness and mutual forgiveness as long as they both live (Genesis 1:27, Genesis 2:24-25).
• Acknowledges God's presence in the giving and taking of solemn vows.
• Is a commitment publicly sealed and witnessed by the Christian community that not only marks an appropriate beginning but also provides a nurturing environment in which the covenant is brought to fulfillment.
• Is valid in view of Jesus's teachings on divorce in view of Matthew 19 and 1 Corinthians 7.
• Respects biblical teaching on human sexuality and embodiment according to 1 Corinthians 6 and Hebrews 13:4.