Marriage Ceremony

Christ Alive Community Church is registered with the province of British Columbia to solemnize marriages. Our pastor may perform marriages between two women, two men or a man and a woman.

The Process
You need to purchase a marriage license at Vital Statistics 250 – 605 Robson Street (corner of Seymour and Robson) in downtown Vancouver or at some insurance companies and some London Drugs stores. The cost of this license is $100.00. The license is valid for three months from the time of purchase and there is no waiting period. Please ensure that you have valid picture identification to present to clerk.

You will need to contact a religious organization (Our Pastor is available with advance notice) or a marriage commissioner to perform the ceremony.

Our Pastor will require to discuss the importance of marriage and may forward a number of questions to assist you in making a right decision. (This can now be done through the assistance of electronic mail)
Please read the following which may help you decide if marriage is what you want at this time.

What is a Marriage Ceremony?
The Right of a Marriage Ceremony is a very special ceremony of Christ Alive Community Church. It is a service where vows are exchanged, tokens exchanged, Communion may be celebrated and where two people make a public commitment to honour each other and support each other in growing and sharing their lives on a journey of partnership. The Right of a Marriage Ceremony is a serious step for couples. It is a step that requires very serious thought and prayer.

What a Marriage Ceremony is not.
Too often, people meet and immediately want to do something that would insure the continuation of their relationship. Sometimes the Right of Marriage Ceremony is thought to be the absolute guarantee that the above will indeed happen. Unfortunately, the Right of a Marriage Ceremony is not a cure-all for an unhealthy relationship, new relationships or old relationships. Yet it is the result of intense time in learning who the other person is and how that relates to each person’s desire for a relationship. The Right of a Marriage Ceremony is the result of a decision that you accept your partner as they are, giving them the freedom to be and grow within the boundaries the two of you have established for your relationship. The Marriage Ceremony service will not ‘fix’ your relationship.

Is a Same Sex Marriage Ceremony Recognized Legally?
At present, all provincial governments in Canada afford a Marriage Ceremony the same status to any two persons. A Marriage Ceremony by definition, is the “spiritual unification of two persons” and therefore transcends the area of law and legal contracts. In the eyes of the Courts, you are presently a married couple.

Are There Pre-Conditions to a Marriage Ceremony? 
We at Christ Alive Community Church take the Right of a Marriage Ceremony very seriously. The following form the central core of the pre-conditions for those seeking a celebration of Marriage Ceremony through Christ Alive Community Church:
1) The couple must have known each other for a suggested period of no less than twelve months. As mentioned earlier, a Marriage Ceremony does not ‘fix’ a relationship. As well, a Marriage Ceremony does not make a relationship. By requiring a couple to know each other for at least one year, it will become clear whether or not the relationship is a truly loving, growing thing and not an ‘extended affair.’
2) Both people must be legally single. If there has been a marriage previously, divorce proceedings must be completed prior to the Marriage Ceremony. If there has been a Marriage Ceremony in the past, a ‘Certificate of Divorce must be on file. This will prevent the church from being drawn into any battles within the divorce courts. It is also in keeping the doctrine of the New Testament.
3) The Marriage Ceremony is a religious service. It helps if both parties are active Christians. Since, this is a celebration of the Christian Church, this type of celebration is in keeping with that role. If the ‘Christian’ part is a problem, a more secular celebration may be more appropriate. You may ask a marriage commissioner to perform the secular ceremony.
4) Both persons are invited to attend Christ Alive Community Church. worship services since the couple is coming to Christ Alive Community Church. for a Marriage Ceremony, they may find a permanent home in our fellowship. This will also allow them the opportunity to discover what Christ Alive Community Church is really about.
5) Both persons shall attend a series of counselling sessions. The purpose of these sessions is to assist the couple to become more fully aware of their relationship. It is used as an avenue of communication and dialogue between the two persons.
6) Both persons shall be of legal age. Due to the nature of the ministry of Christ Alive Community Church, we must take due caution to prevent any person from putting the Church in a compromising situation. Therefore, we ask that all persons seeking a celebration of Marriage Ceremony be 19 years of age or older.

Sounds Good, But Where Do We Go from Here?
If the celebration of a Marriage Ceremony sounds like the sort of thing you would like to take part in, then the next step is up to you. Both persons should discuss the idea over fully. Be absolutely sure, then start talking about your relationship. Talk about the good points, the hassle areas, and bad points. Complete the relationship inventory and mail it to the office then phone to make an appointment to begin the counselling series.
For more information contact our pastor’s office:
(Link)