Bruzek observes that pastors are often treated not as pastors, but as vendors when it comes to marriage. People who are getting married often look to pastors and the Church simply as a provider of a service that will make the nice atmosphere they wish for their "special day." Why has this happened?
In 1996, the Wall Street Journal showed 75% of marriage ceremonies to be religious. That's surprising, as we don't find anywhere near 75% of Americans engaging in overt religious behavior on a regular basis. They certainly aren't in churches on Sundays. Yet Christian clergy indulge those who wish to be married by marrying almost anybody who comes with the rental for the church and an honorarium for the pastor.
It would be more appropriate, Bruzek comments, for pastors to work to join those who are fit for marriage into marriage. He urges significant and relevant pastoral counseling which directs the couple toward the Lord. He points out to the young couple that they are joined in marriage only as they are joined to Christ. As they walk in the Gospel, they can walk together with each other.
Scripture tells us a lot about marriage, from creation, fall, pictures of good and bad relationships within marriage, commands to those who are married, etc. And if marriage is first and foremost life together in Christ we see yet another dynamic. We rightly look at matters such as baptism, communion, child-rearing, conflict resolution, the whole gamut of Christian faith and practice. The more solid the couple is in their understanding of their life in Christ the more solid they will be in their marriage.
Bruzek vividly reminds us that marriage is intended to be between a man and a woman both looking to Christ together. It is a place of sin, repentance, forgiveness, and restoration, just like the Church.
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Dave Spotts
blogging at http://capnsaltyslongvoyage.blogspot.com and http://alex-kirk.blogspot.com
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