The Word of God teaches that marriage is a union between one man and one woman.
The consistory shall ensure that the members of the congregation marry only in the Lord, and that the ministers—as authorized by the consistory—solemnize only such marriages as are in accordance with the Word of God.
The solemnization of a marriage may take place either in a private ceremony or in a public worship service. The adopted Form for the Solemnization of Marriage shall be used.
3. Considerations:
3.3. Form for the Solemnization of Marriage:
3.3.1. The recommendation of the SCBP regarding the awkward wording “We pray you” in the prayer of the Form for the Solemnization of Marriage is valid. The recommendation to change this to “We pray that you will grant them your Holy Spirit…” is the sensible solution.
3.3.2. The church at Cloverdale makes a good point regarding the word “maintain” in the vow of the bridegroom regarding his bride. The word “maintain” as it is generally understood today is awkward in this place in the form. The SCBP should be instructed to consider a good alternative as suggested by Cloverdale: “support,” “provide for,” “care for” or something similar in line with a synod-approved translation of Scripture (Ephesians 5:29).
4. Recommendations
4.3. Form for the Solemnization of Marriage:
4.3.1. To adopt the recommendation of the SCBP to reword the relevant line in the prayer of the form to “We pray that you will grant them ….”
4.3.2. To approve the proposal of the church at Cloverdale to change the word “maintain” in the vow of the bridegroom regarding his bride and to instruct the SCBP to make the necessary change as per the suggestion of Cloverdale.
ADOPTED
3. Considerations
3.1 In light of the recent judicial developments in Canada regarding the definition of marriage, the overture of Regional Synod East 2006 proves that a change to the Church Order has become necessary.
4. Recommendation
Synod decide:
4.1 That the proposed change to Article 63 of the Church Order suggested by Regional Synod East properly reflects the religious beliefs and practices of the Canadian Reformed Churches.
4.2 To adopt the proposal of Regional Synod East 2006 to change Article 63 of the Church Order to include the words, “The Word of God teaches that marriage is a union between one man and one woman.”
ADOPTED