The Christian family, knit together in a common bond through Jesus Christ, is a circle of love, fellowship, and worship to be earnestly cultivated in a society in which family ties are easily dissolved. We urge upon the ministry and congregations of our church such teachings and practices as will strengthen and develop family ties. In particular, we urge upon the ministry the importance of teaching and preaching clearly the biblical plan of the permanence of marriage.
The institution of marriage was ordained by God in the time of man’s innocence, and is, according to apostolic authority, “honourable in all;” it is the mutual union of one man and one woman for fellowship, helpfulness, and the propagation of the race. Our people should cherish this sacred estate as becomes Christians, and should enter it only after earnest prayer for divine direction, and when assured that the contemplated union is in accordance with scriptural requirements.
They should seek earnestly the blessings that God has ordained in connection with the wedded state, namely, holy companionship, parenthood, and mutual love—the elements of home building. The marriage covenant is morally binding so long as both shall live, and breaking of it is a breach of the divine plan of the permanence of marriage.
(Genesis 1:26–28, 31; 2:21–24; Malachi 2:13–16; Matthew 19:3–9; John 2:1–11; Ephesians 5:21–6:4; 1 Thessalonians 4:3–8; Hebrews 13:4)
In biblical teaching, marriage is the commitment of male and female to each other for life, reflecting Christ’s sacrificial love for the Church. As such, marriage is intended to be permanent, and divorce an infraction of the clear teaching of Christ. Such infractions, however, are not beyond the forgiving grace of God when this is sought with repentance, faith and humility. It is recognized that some have divorce thrust upon them against their will or are compelled to resort to it for legal or physical protection.
(Genesis 2:21–24; Mark 10:2–12; Luke 7:36–50, 16:18; John 7:53–8:11; 1 Corinthians 6:9–11; 7:10–16; Ephesians 5:25–33)
Ministers of the Church of the Nazarene are instructed to give due care to matters relating to solemnizing marriages. They shall seek, in every manner possible, to convey to their congregations the sacredness of Christian marriage. They shall provide premarital counseling in every instance possible before performing a marriage ceremony including proper spiritual guidance for those who have experienced divorce. They shall only solemnize marriages of persons having the biblical basis for marriage.
Biblical marriage only exists in a relationship involving one man and one woman. (30–30.1, 32, 514.10, 536.16)
Members of the Church of the Nazarene are to seek prayerfully a redemptive course of action when involved in marital unhappiness, in full harmony with their vows and the clear teachings of the Scripture, their aim being to save the home and safeguard the good name of both Christ and His Church. Couples having serious marital problems are urged to seek counsel and guidance of their pastor and/or any other appropriate spiritual leaders. Failure to comply with this procedure in good faith and with sincere endeavor to seek a Christian solution, and subsequent obtainment of divorce and remarriage, makes one or both parties subject to possible discipline as prescribed in 604–604.2 and 605–605.12.
Through ignorance, sin, and human frailties, many in our society fall short of the divine plan. We believe that Christ can redeem these persons even as He did the woman at Samaria’s well, and that sin against God’s design for marriage does not place one beyond the forgiving grace of the gospel. Where a marriage has been dissolved and remarriage has followed, the marriage partners are enjoined to seek the grace of God and His redemptive help in their marriage relation. Such persons may be received into the membership of the church at such time as they have given evidence of their regeneration and an awareness of their understanding of the sanctity of Christian marriage. (21, 107.1)
To elect an Adult Ministries Council whose chairperson shall be the district director of Adult Ministries and whose members shall be the district directors of: marriage and family life, senior adult ministries, single adult ministries, lay retreat, small-group Bible studies, women’s ministries, men’s ministries, and any others deemed necessary.
For additional information concerning the duties of Children’s and Adult Ministries Councils, see the SDMI Handbook.
The Board of General Superintendents shall have discretionary power in the ordaining of divorced persons. (30.1–30.3, 307.4, 531.3, 532.3)
Emphasize the sanctity of marriage and the sacredness of the Christian home and to point out the problems and evils of divorce. In particular, the committee should emphasize the biblical plan of marriage as a lifelong covenant, to be broken only by death.
Give due care to matters relating to solemnizing marriages. Pastors shall convey the sacredness of Christian marriage through careful attention to their own marital state, through all forms of communication, through ministering to others, and through premarital counseling and solemnizing the marriage ceremony. (536.16)
A minister may solemnize marriage only for those who have been qualified by careful counseling, and who have a biblical basis for marriage.
Biblical marriage only exists in a relationship involving one man and one woman. (30–30.4, 32, 514.10)
