Ebenezer Oromo Evangelical Church (EOEC)

Marriage Guidelines

Section 1. Definition

Marriage is a covenant entered between one man and one woman to establish a lifelong union as per originally instituted by God, thereby for human race to multiply and fill the face of the Earth (Gen. 2:18-24).

Section 2. Objectives

2.1 To make sure that marriages are conducted at our church the way God has originally planned. 

2.2 To maintain uniformity and orderly processes, there by improve the way marriages are conducted at EOEC.

Section 3. Engagement

3.1 Engagement is a promise entered between a man and a woman to be married to each other in the future.

3.2 Engagement is not a prerequisite for a marriage.

3.3 To get an engagement service, both or one at least one of the partners should be a full member of our church for a minimum of six months.

3.4 Application (verbal or written) for engagement service should be submitted jointly the couple to the pastoral office two months in advance of the planned date.

3.5 Both parties shall jointly be interviewed by the senior pastor, among other things to make sure that both are entering into this willingly and with full knowledge of associated responsibilities, and also find out about any previous or current relationships with other people if any.

3.6 The senior pastor shall strictly inform the partners the difference between marriage and engagement, for them to remain sacred until marriage.

3.7 The Senior Pastor shall inform the council of elders about engagement applications.

3.8 Applicants will be notified about decisions made on their case by the pastoral office on a timely basis.

Section 4. Requirements for marriage

4.1 Our church strongly upholds the biblical basis of sanctity and morality of marriage and as such will not perform wedding service for partners who live together or involved in immoral relationship.

4.2 At the time of marriage, the couple should be adult and be able to understand the importance of the matter they are willingly entering into. 

4.3 Applicant for marriage should complete premarital lessons and counselling classes provided by our church.

4.4 To get a marriage service, both or one of the partners should be a full member of EOEC for a minimum of six months.

4.5 Wedding ceremony can also be conducted for non-member Christians, who can provide a letter of support from sister churches of the same confession and statement of faith as ours, as stipulated in EOEC Constitution.

4.6 Church members who wish to hold their marriage service in other places can request a letter of support from our church.

4.7 No marriage ceremony shall be conducted by EOEC without prior approval by the council of elders and the lead pastor.

Section 5. Wedding ceremony

 5.1 The couple shall submit a written wedding service request signed by both of them, three months prior to the wedding date to the pastoral office.

5.2 The church shall make all necessary preparations for the service.

5.3 Details of the process shall be worked out between the couple and the lead pastor.

 5.4 The couple shall bring the marriage license from the concerned government office to the lead pastor at least four days before the planned wedding date. 

5.5 All parties including guests who attend the wedding ceremony at our church are encouraged to dress appropriately for a Christian atmosphere and follow the norm of the church.

5.6 The couple is required to arrange for cleanup of the premises used for their wedding ceremony and any expenses incurred. 

Section 6. Exceptions

Should complex cases arise, the pastoral office and the council of elders can jointly consider exceptions to this guidelines, after a thorough investigation and deliberations on case by case basis.