Search AG.org/GC_Stamp.jpg)
50th General Council, 2003
July 31-August 3, 2003 — Washington, D.C.
Resolution # 8 — Marriage Ceremonies
WHEREAS, It has been said that one in two marriages presently end in divorce; and
WHEREAS, Increasing numbers of people within our congregations have been divorced; and
WHEREAS, It is now permissible for a minister within the Assemblies of God to have been divorced, given certain circumstances; and
WHEREAS, The prohibition on ministers performing wedding ceremonies except in the circumstances described in Bylaw Article IX, B, Section 5, paragraph b. creates an increasing hardship on the local pastor; and
WHEREAS, The prohibition forces the pastor to assume the role of judge in some very difficult and untenable situations; and
WHEREAS, The Scriptures are silent on the issue of ministers performing wedding ceremonies; and
WHEREAS, This difficult decision should be left in the hands of the local pastor who may be acquainted with the couple in question and is better equipped to decide whether or not he or she should perform the ceremony without threat; therefore, be it
RESOLVED, That we amend Bylaw Article IX, Section 5, paragraph d. Performing marriage ceremonies, subparagraph (1), page 129, which presently reads:
(1) Ministerial guidelines. We disapprove of any Assemblies of God minister performing a marriage ceremony for anyone who has been divorced and whose former spouse is still living, unless the case is included in the exceptional circumstances described in Article IX, B, Section 5, paragraph b. Any minister of our Fellowship who performs a ceremony for a disapproved marriage (indicated above), unless innocently deceived into doing so, may be dismissed from the Fellowship.
Be amended to read:
(1) Ministerial guidelines. We disapprove of discourage any Assemblies of God minister performing a marriage ceremony for anyone who has been divorced and whose former spouse is still living, unless the case is included in the exceptional circumstances described in Article IX, B, Section 5, paragraph b. Any minister of our Fellowship who performs a ceremony for a disapproved marriage (indicated above), unless innocently deceived into doing so, may be dismissed from the Fellowship.
Sponsor: Michael D. Jackson
