Weddings at FBCSLO
We are excited for the opportunity to be part of your journey to marriage! We are here to help you build a Christ-centered foundation for your marriage and to help you become the husband and wife God intended you to be.
On this page, you can download our wedding application packet, read about our wedding philosophy & requirements, and find contacts if you have questions.
First Baptist Church Wedding Philosophy and Requirements
Your wedding is one of the most significant days and experiences in your life. A of lot planning and preparation goes into a wedding. Besides all the details of the ceremony, reception, and honeymoon, the leadership of First Baptist Church (FBC) encourages attention to the spiritual foundations of marriage first and foremost.
The leadership of FBC believes the following about marriage:
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Marriage is the earthly example of a deeply spiritual concept. The Bible teaches that the body of believers are the Bride and Jesus is our Bridegroom (Ephesians 5, 1 Corinthians 11:2). We will be reunited with Jesus as our Bridegroom (Revelation 19), to live in complete intimacy with Him. Earthly marriage has been given to us as a representation of this spiritual union.
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God Himself established the institution of marriage. When God created Eve to be a helper for Adam, He said that “For this reason a man will leave his father and mother and be united to his wife, and they will become one flesh” (Genesis 2:24).
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Marriage is intended to be a lifelong commitment. God himself said “I hate divorce” (Micah 2:16). Jesus affirmed this in Matthew 19:6 saying, “So they are no longer two but one flesh. What God has joined together let no man separate” and in Matthew 19:8 “Moses permitted you to divorce your wives because your hearts were hard. But it was not this way from the beginning.” For this reason we focus more on the marriage, and not simply the ceremony.
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Both the bride and the groom must individually confess a personal commitment as Jesus Christ as Lord. We do not believe that marriage is designed to be between a believer and an unbeliever (1 Corinthians 6:14-18).
We believe that marriage is between one man and one woman. In Genesis 2 God says that a man will leave his mother to be joined as one flesh with his wife. Jesus affirms this teaching in Matthew 19.
All the requirements listed below must be met in order for a wedding to take place at FBC or have an FBC pastor officiate your wedding:
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Both the bride and groom must have individually confessed a belief in Jesus Christ as their Lord and Savior.
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Both must be over 18 years of age.
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Both must have parental blessing.
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In the case of a prior marriage, Biblical guidelines for divorce and remarriage are to be followed.
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The couple must have completed a premarital counseling course through FBC or another approved premarital counseling program.
In the course of premarital counseling the mentor couple has the right and responsibility to recommend that a marriage ceremony not be performed.
A non-FBC Pastor must be approved by FBC staff before officiating a ceremony at FBC.
Wedding Packet
Please download and fill out the appropriate forms in order to begin the process, and return it to our office. Our fax # is 805-543-5091.
Contacts
Wedding Coordinator: Lauren Burleson, LaurenDB@gmail.com
Pre-Marriage Mentoring Coordinator: Charles Burleson, charles@fbcslo.org
Office: Lisa Mayer, office@fbcslo.org
