Care & Support

The Importance of Premarital Pastoral Counseling

Premarital pastoral counseling is a vital step in preparing couples for a Christ-centered marriage. It provides a biblical foundation for communication, conflict resolution, and spiritual unity, helping couples navigate challenges with faith and wisdom. Through guided discussions, couples gain deeper insight into their roles, responsibilities, and shared values, ensuring they enter marriage with a strong commitment to honoring God and each other. This time of preparation fosters a lasting, God-honoring relationship built on love, trust, and a shared commitment to biblical principles.

As you prepare for a lifelong commitment to one another, premarital counseling is an essential step to building a Christ-centered marriage. Below are the expectations and structure of our counseling sessions to help you plan accordingly.

Meeting Structure

• Each session will last no more than one hour to respect your time and schedule.
• Sessions will be divided into two parts:
  1. Biblical Counseling: Focusing on God’s design for marriage and principles for a strong relationship.
  2. Wedding Planning: Addressing the details of your ceremony and special considerations for your wedding day.

Topics Covered

Throughout our time together, you will gain valuable insights into:

• How God Defines the Family: Understanding marriage as a covenant and the biblical foundation of the home.
• The Responsibility of Husband and Wife: Exploring the unique roles and mutual responsibilities within marriage.
• The Importance of Intimacy: Recognizing emotional, spiritual, and physical intimacy as key elements of a thriving marriage.
• Seeking Solutions and Managing Conflict: Learning practical ways to handle disagreements with grace and biblical wisdom.
• The Role of Prayer in Marriage: Strengthening your relationship through a shared commitment to prayer and faith.
• Preparing for a Growing Family: Discussing how to build a family that honors God and nurtures future generations.

This journey will equip you with biblical principles and practical tools to begin your marriage with a strong foundation. Our pastor, Dr. David Sampson, looks forward to walking alongside you during this exciting season.

Before Your First Session:

In preparation for your premarital counseling, please complete the Personal History Worksheet and submit it before your scheduled session. You may return the completed form to our pastor, Dr. David Sampson, in the church office or email it to . If you decide to submit your Personal History Worksheet to our office, please place it in a sealed envelope to ensure your privacy and confidentiality.

Your participation in this step will help ensure meaningful and productive discussions as we walk through this important season together. If you have any questions, feel free to reach out. We look forward to this time of preparation and growth with you!

Please download the Personal History Worksheet below and submit it to Dr. Sampson by email as soon as possible. Thank you!

PERSONAL HISTORY WORKSHEET

Weddings:

Congratulations on your upcoming wedding! We rejoice with you in this special season and pray for God’s abundant blessings on your marriage, both on your wedding day and in the years to come.

While we sincerely appreciate your interest in celebrating your wedding at Parkway Baptist, our church facilities are reserved exclusively for members of Parkway Baptist due to the high volume of ministry activities and commitments throughout the year. We apologize for the inconvenience, but please know we wish you the best. 

Parkway Baptist Member Wedding Request Form

However, if you are a member of Parkway Baptist and would like to plan your wedding at our church, please complete the Wedding Request Form and return it to the church office. This will help us coordinate the details and ensure your special day is properly planned. If you have any questions, feel free to contact us. We look forward to celebrating this joyous occasion with you!

Membership Wedding Form

Funerals:

During this difficult time, please know that we are here for you, praying for comfort, strength, and peace as you navigate the loss of your loved one. You are not alone, and we want to support you in any way we can. At Parkway Baptist, funeral services are primarily reserved for church members and their immediate families. However, we understand that some services require additional space, and we have worked with local funeral homes to accommodate larger gatherings when possible. If you would like to inquire about holding a funeral service at Parkway Baptist, please contact our church office directly or have your funeral home reach out to us. We will do our best to assist you during this time of remembrance and reflection.

Please know we are lifting you and your family in prayer. May God’s presence bring you peace and comfort in the days ahead. For more information, please email