In reply to Rev. Steve Andrews.

Steve, the U.S. government doesn't care if people live together and have sex outside of marriage. The government does not require them to get married. In contrast, I agree with you that living together apart from marriage is sin, and we should teach this to our people. However, our people can still get married in the Church without having their marriage made legal by the state. They can still call each other "husband and wife" - which they truly ARE before God! - but they simply will not be able to fill out a joint tax return as a "married" couple for IRS purposes. Big deal! If they don't want that privilege, that's fine. Who cares if our people are not "legally married" as long as they understand that they are TRULY MARRIED before God when joins them together via their marriage vows before His Church. They can still introduce themselves as husband and wife in society - which they truly ARE. It's just that they will not be able to take advantage of any LEGAL privileges if they do not get a "civil marriage." Now, I'm guessing that most of our couples WILL get legally married also for various reasons. But as pastors we are certainly not required to act as agents of the state nor do our people have to have a secular marriage license in order for them to be truly married before God.