Just call me reverend Spain
Well I guess it is official now. Thanks to the Universal Life church of Modesto, CA, of all places I can now officially marry and bury. I may also now be refereed to as Reverend Spain when you see me sipping a Cappuccino at the local coffee shop. Who knows now maybe I can even get special privileges and disaster scenes. I met one dude who used his ordination only when a major disaster struck, then he would run up to the police barricades and scream, “Let me in I am a Minister!”
Liz was the one who prompted the formal ordination. She said that it was a present for my birthday. I know that this gift partly resulted from some of her recent frustrations with formalized versions of spirituality. It didn’t really matter where it came from. It feels great to be recognized by a member of your community. Even though this is an instant internet style ordination I am still very grateful for Liz’s prompting. I hope that I can help our community spiritual formation in the way of Jesus.
I know some that feel as if their ordination gives them some sort of divine power. They start to be looked upon as some sort of demigod either by themselves or their communities. I just have to say this to all those high-and-mightys; “Hey look what I get for free in the internet !!!” So, next time someone tries to pull out their “hey I am ordained and I know everything, and you peon boy know nothing”, sort of crap I can pull my, “hey I am a licensed minister” card out of my pocket and say checkmate to all of that religious rambling.
07 Feb 2006 Rob
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I did this some a lot years ago - and I’ve even performed a wedding!
BTW: my last name is ‘Byrne’ not ‘Bryne’ as in your blogroll
Will I think that I get the award for the worlds worst speller. I fixed it. Thanks for being my QA
I realize that this “online” ordination is probably more of a joke to you than anything else but I wanted you and anyone else out there who is thinking about taking advantage of this opportunity, i.e. online ordination, to consider some things. First, the IRS and the State of California are aware of these phoney organizations and are cracking down on them. You could get in trouble if you tried to marry someone (you don’t need to be ordained to perform funerals) since you are required to sign a marriage certificate and state your denominational affiliation. If they do not recognize said affiliation they will track you down and if you cannot satisfy them with a good answer to who ordained you (they would recognize the organization who gave you the “papers”) and the marriage will be nullified. Also, because of online ordination groups the IRS will really investigate the first claims someone makes at being a minister on their tax forms (some guys use this to deduct housing allowances and other exemptions allowed for minsiters) and it doesn’t take an agent long to discover that they are not really ordained. The result? Penalties. Second, because of the popularity of online ordinations the IRS has actually stepped up it’s investigations of legitimate ministers. It must be scary to get a call from the IRS saying that you’re being investigated. Pastors have enough stress in their lives without having to deal with this. Third, you quote, “…some that feel that their ordination gives them some sort of divine power…” and also quote, “Hey I am ordained and know everything, and you peon boy know nothing.” I probably know personally 100 pastors who are ordained and not one of them have such an attitude. They are humble, helpful men and women who have sacrificed much and dedicated their lives to serving God and people. Be careful that you do not perpetuate a false stereotype of ordained ministers.
Ordination is a holy and sacred recognition that a church body makes of God’s proven anointing upon a person. Organizations like “The Universal Life Church” cheapen ordination.
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