Write About Now

At some point every Tuesday, I submit two or three news tidbits for the Christian Standard enews published the next day. On busy weeks with a lot happening this might be accomplished before noon. Other weeks I’ve sat bleary-eyed at my computer until after midnight, scouring church and Bible college websites for something interesting. (Around Halloween I always consider reporting the discovery of a church NOT doing a Harvest Carnival—now that would be newsworthy.)

Tomorrow’s enews will include Summit Christian Church’s “Amnesty Marriage Ceremony.” On Saturday evening the Summit ministry staff conducted a fee-free wedding ceremony open to any interested couple, with a stated goal of encouraging men and women living together to make it legal without the cost and hassle of a big wedding. To participate, the couples just had to show up with a valid marriage license; the church even provided flowers and a photographer.

Apparently there is a big need for this. The “Free Nuptials” program at Harmony Christian Church reaches a similar audience by offering a church wedding at little cost four weekends a year. But HCC takes it a step further; they require each participating couple to attend a Friday night/Saturday seminar and four additional small-group sessions. In return, the church’s sound tech, wedding coordinator, janitorial staff, and senior minister volunteer their services.

At the last small group session, the church issues a challenge. “I ask each couple to honor God’s Word by being celibate from that day until the honeymoon and praying together for God’s blessing on their future marriage,” says Harmony’s senior minister Kevin Pigg. “Scott and Carrie now attend my small group; Carrie returned to her faith and Scott was baptized. Mark and Tricia joined the church after Tricia accepted Christ. Jake and Echo want to start their own small group, and I haven’t even baptized them yet!”

It’s cheaper to live together than alone, and I doubt finances are the only reason some of these couples haven’t married. But I’m glad to see a few churches proactively addressing the issue and encouraging commitment along with cohabitation. And I’m glad Summit picked last Saturday for their big event—I really needed something for tomorrow’s enews.