Couples & Parents

Marriage Ministry

In recent years, Bethany has had the privilege of walking with hundreds of couples as they enter engagement, marriage, and parenting. Our desire is to build strong families and marriages at Bethany, and we support couples through pastoral counsel, resources, and community.

Bethany's Premarital Process

1. Before you are engaged, take the Exploring Engagement Class.
2. Once you're engaged, take the Engaged Class. While Exploring Engagement is not a prerequisite for the Engaged Class, we highly recommend taking both classes if possible.
3. If you would like to get married at Bethany, book the venue at least six months before your anticipated wedding date (Weddings at Bethany).
4. Schedule a pastor to officiate your wedding. Pastors will be honored to do your wedding; just ask them directly.
5. Arrange for individual counseling with the pastor performing your wedding.
6. Your Bethany pastor or mentor will ask you to take the PREPARE Inventory or the SYMBIS Assessment.
7. After the wedding, sign up for a Newlywed Community Group for support and community in that all-important first year of marriage

Questions? Steps 1–2, 5–7: Phil Maulding steps 3–4: Christian Fillingame

Premarital Classes 

Exploring Engagement Class (for dating couples) 

Sundays, September–November, 5–6:30pm, Classroom B

This eight week course is designed to help you learn more about yourself and your partner as you consider engagement and marriage. Explore your relationship with honesty and transparency, and be able to make an educated, biblically-based decision. You can get connected by registering with the Community Group.

Register

Summer Intensive Engaged Class (for engaged couples)

Friday, August 25, 6–9pm and Saturday 26, 8am–5pm, Classroom A

These sessions will be lead by Taylor Moss, MFT and Brian Spencer, MFT and will cover some of the core issues facing couples as they approach marriage. You and your partner will feel more prepared to enter the covenant of marriage, surrounded by a community of peers who will share your journey with you. You can get connected by registering here.

Register

Weddings at Bethany

Congratulations on your engagement!

Scheduling an Officiant

If you are getting married somewhere other than Bethany but would still like a Bethany pastor to officiate your wedding, please fill out our Wedding Officiate Request Form. Once you have completed the form, please send a copy to Christian Fillingame with any additional information you feel would be helpful. 

Note, due to Pastor Richard's demanding schedule, the Bethany Community Church Council has requested that he not perform weddings.

Reserving Bethany Green Lake

We have limited availability to host wedding ceremonies at Bethany Green Lake. We have just updated our wedding packet and application with important information about availability and pricing. If you cannot find the information you are looking for, please contact our Guest Services Coordinator, Christian Fillingame.

Marriage Mentoring

A growing number of couples in the church say they would benefit from having marriage mentors—more experienced couples equipped to advise and encourage other couples. If you find yourselves struggling to understand how to navigate your relationship, consider being matched with a mentor couple. Email us to learn more and to be connected with a mentoring couple.

Marriage Mentors

If you are interested in walking alongside another couple, sign up to become marriage mentors. You'll have the chance to impact marriages and families for a lifetime.

Marriage Mentor Sign Up

Newlywed Groups

Times and Locations Vary