Congratulations! You are wanting to get married, and now you are wanting to set a place and a date for your ceremony. If you are considering Century as a location for your wedding, here is helpful instruction and advice for you as you begin.

Within the Century church family we believe marriage to be one expression of our discipleship with Jesus Christ. Therefore when we are asked to participate with a couple's wedding plans, we look at their request through the eyes of discipleship with Jesus and the mission of this congregation.

DOES CENTURY RENT OUT ITS FACILITIES TO ANY WHO WISH TO GET MARRIED HERE?

We receive requests for building use from a variety of persons outside the church family. But we are committed to focusing every activity which occurs within the church building as an expression of discipleship with Christ and the related mission of this congregation. Therefore, Century does not rent out its facilities for a couple or officiant outside the Century church family. Any change to this prioritization of requests has to follow specific guidelines established by the Century Elders.

HOW DO WE RESERVE THE CHURCH AND/OR PASTOR FOR OUR WEDDING?

There are three aspects to be considered when couples request to be married here at Century, and the couple's request to use Century for their wedding moves ahead after these three considerations are met. At that point the church's invitation to use the church will then be communicated to the couple by the designated Century staff:

• The couple will first be scheduled to meet with a designated pastoral staff member, and discuss their aspirations, faith journey, and the couple's current walk with Christ. This is in line with our desire to encourage couples in a close and steady walk with Christ. All couples are asked to read and affirm agreement with our church's Wedding Handbook (see attached below).

• From that discussion, if the couple has a specific pastor in mind to officiate their wedding ceremony, consideration is given whether that pastor is available to participate. If the requested pastor is not available, another staff pastor or marriage coach/officiant approved by the Century Elders may be selected or assigned to help a couple build biblical foundations and will officiate for the couple's ceremony.

• Of course, the date and time for the wedding ceremony must be selected. The couple will complete and submit a separate Request for Building Use application. This form and the accompanying fee indicated on the form will be submitted to the church office for review. The couple should wait before finalizing reception date and time until the ceremony date and time are set.

HOW DO WE PROVIDE PREPARATION FOR THE COUPLE?

During or shortly after your first visit with a pastoral staff person here, you will be given a link to an online assessment tool (a nominal fee applies) which can give you and your coach a better idea of who you are and how you are likely to respond in a variety of circumstances. This assessment is not a qualifier whether you should get married, but it is a helpful tool to more objectively illustrate who the couple is. For that nominal fee, additional current and future resources automatically become available for you as a couple.

In addition, we use a multi- session coaching curriculum as an outline for the couple's preparation, which includes text and workbook assignments between coaching sessions. There is an additional cost assessed to the couple for these written materials. You as a couple will be asked to complete chapters and related assignments, and discuss together many of the discoveries within those chapters.

WHO CAN HAVE A WEDDING AT CENTURY?

Any couple who is committed to following Jesus Christ, and if one or both of the couple are regular participants in Century congregation life, may request to be married at Century. If you are not certain about your relationship with Jesus Christ, let that be our conversation with you, before we ever begin to discuss your wedding plans. We take care not to pressure someone to verbalize a commitment to follow Christ. But two people whose beliefs are different will have conflict in their marriage, and we want instead to introduce you to the Savior Jesus.

Couples who have the desire to follow Jesus and His word both individually and as a couple will be comfortable preparing with us. Of course we all have our life histories, we make choices and sometimes those choices have not matched those which the Bible gives us. And sometimes we must deconstruct past choices in order to build strongly forward . If that is your story, let us help you in your journey and your quest to follow Jesus!

Couples interested in receiving some foundational coaching in order to build a strong marriage will agree with our requirement that all couples who will be married at Century or by Century marriage coaches -- participate in pre-marriage counseling beginning at least some months in advance of the anticipated wedding. Counseling sessions will be scheduled with the Century pastor or designated marriage coach who will officiate the wedding ceremony. Plan on several meetings together as a couple, as well as some homework for each session. If you do not desire pre-marriage counseling, we understand not everyone sees the need as we do, and we encourage such couples to seek a different officiant and venue.

WHAT ARE OUR NEXT STEPS?

We invite you to read our "Wedding Handbook" and our Building Use Request form as your next step, which are attached below or you can pick up at the church.

Give us a call at 701-223-0748, and let's discuss how we can glorify God with your wedding plans!