Ordination

There is some question about what an “Officiant” really is and or is not.  It is my hope to simply share some light on this question.

Wikipedia states that “An Officiant is someone who officiates (i.e. leads) at a service or ceremony, such as marriage, burial, or namegiving/baptism. Officiants may be ordained by any denomination as members of their clergy, or by secular/Humanist or interfaith/interspiritual religious bodies.”

Although most Officiants differ from other “clergy” titles, such as Chaplain, Reverend, Pastor, in that many Officiants serve the unaffiliated public at large, while other “clergy” are usually employed by an institution such as the military, a hospital or other health care facility, etc. and serve a specific group or congregation. 

An "Officiant" can be a Justices of the Peace, Judge, celebrants, marriage commissioners, ministers, clergy, and other people “legally” empowered by law to perform legally binding private ceremonies.  In my opinion, this is where the light is needed.

It IS possible to go online right this minute, find one of many websites to become “ordained.”  Most all of them require no training, experience, education or any standards.  They just collect their fee and you are free to download your certificate of ordination.  Is that legal?  In many places, not all, yes.  Some states are adapting state laws that require those who are “ordained” however that may be to offer proof that they are involved with on-going ministry work.

There is no regulation in this “industry” for those using online ordination as the gateway to provide services to the public at large.  One could argue that if you receive a “calling” to serve others that is all that is needed.  Others will advocate that you must meet some minimum standards while others insist that you have a degree or seminary education.

Some states are calling into question on line paper mills who “appear” to be a “church” and ordaining people for one time fees.  Most credentials and license’s for mainstream clergy are issued annually to insure that they continue to be members in good standing and are upholding to agreements, doctrines, policies as outline by those issuing those credentials or licenses. 

Generally, for religious use, ordination is the manner by which individuals are consecrated (elevating to the “status” that they are now authorized to perform various rites of passage and ceremonies. They are being elevated to the status of “clergy.”  The process and ceremony is different for each sect, denomination and/or order.  Traditionally it means that the candidate has reached a level of service, competence, education, commitment, and acceptance to the doctrine, standards and pledges to uphold the beliefs of such of that organization. 

That becomes another “dark spot” when those who are being ordained online by “organizations” that do not require anyone to reach a level of service, competence, education, commitment or have a doctrine, standards or beliefs to pledge too.  It could be viewed as that if you have the money, you can be ordained.  Period.

 So where does that leave the public, the consumer, the one potentially hiring an Officiant?  It leaves them in the position that they need to do their research.  They need to understand who they are hiring and what they are getting for the fees they are going to pay.

I know some outstanding more than qualified Officiants who have never had a day of educational training and perform some of the most beautiful ceremonies.  And I am aware of the many stories of those who have encountered those at the opposite end of the spectrum.

Since 2009, this is what I know.  Many people are “running” from main stream churches and places of worship.  Most couples share with me that they believe in a higher power and that they relationship with “the Sacred” is just that, Sacred, personal and private.  They are shying away from those at the helm of a pulpit telling them how, who and when to dislike or support something or someone.  They often view a place of worship as a place of clicks that is often hard to become a part of. 

We know that up to 70% of the population does not attend worship on a regular basis.  Many individuals, couples and families do not have “relationships” with places of worship because there has been a break in the family “tie” with such places of worship.  And many say they “don’t fit” with traditional religious beliefs of many of today’s churches so they consider themselves spiritual or nonreligous.

So where do they turn to when they want to get married, need “pastoral” care, or someone to perform a funeral service?  They are turning to those of us who are meeting their needs by providing care and services that are both nondenominational and nonreligious.  They are turning to those Officiants that are being recognized by a local or regional organizations that are incorporated, registered and offer standards and assurances that the staff they promote are trained, are legally credentialed, licensed and ordained to provide professional care and services.

Chaplain Royal Bush and Chaplain Beth Loofe are Interfaith Chaplains offering nondenominational and nonreligious care and services to all, without exception in Nebraska and Iowa. They conduct Weddings, Premarital Coaching, Couples Coaching,Funerals, End of Life Planning, and Pastoral Care. For more information please email info@inclusivelife.org OR phone 402-575-7006. Omaha Weddings, Omaha Counseling, Omaha Funerals.