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The consistory shall ensure that the members of the congregation marry only in the Lord, and that the ministers — as authorised by the consistory — solemnise only such marriages as are in accordance with the Word of God. The solemnisation of a marriage shall take plac in a private ceremony, with the use of the adopted Form.
In today’s situation, where our ministers can be licensed to
solemnize marriages, the ceremony no longer takes place during a
church service.
However, this doesn’t mean that the churches are without
supervision on the solemnisations.
First of all the consistories must ensure that members of the
congregation marry in the Lord, and thus according to the
teachings of holy Scripture.
The ministers are bound to the same rule. They cannot make use of
their license at will.
Although the solemnisation must take place in a private ceremony, it would be wise to arrange these ceremonies at a time when the members of the congregation are able to attend.
Even the supervision of the whole congregation over its fellow-members also means that proper announcements are to be made in time.
The solemnisation of marriages that “are in accordance with the Word of God” must be with the use of the adopted Form.