Pastor, really?

[GHansen]

I've noticed, in recent times, numerous people identifying themselves as "pastors" or evangelists. Some of these people seem a bit sketchy. One person did serve as a pastor for some years. He was ultimately dismissed from the ministry, never ordained, and has no credential from any SDA administrative body; nevertheless, he insists on being addressed as pastor. An SDA clergyman is a professional. The denominational credential serves as a professional license, allowing that person to perform certain functions recognized by the State. A person might have a credential but not be ordained or have been ordained but not have a credential. To have neither raises questions. That person remains a layman. Phillip Melanchthon was a layman. He was never ordained; nevertheless, he authored some of the most important documents of the Reformation era. His counsel was sought by kings. I've got nothing against laymen. I do wonder why people who have not been ordained and are not credentialed in anyway expect to be addressed with a title they don't actually have a claim to. In the case of a soulwinner who brings people to Christ and baptism, raises up a congregation of believers, that person has a legitimate claim to "Pastor" credentialed/ordained or not Those are my thoughts on the matter. Anyone else have a Protestant point of view?

 

[Gustave]

Have a high school friend who was raised Agnostic / Atheist by his parents who went on to join the Air Force, became a pilot and after the service Fly's for a major Airline as a job. A bunch of us met up with him near the airport for dinner and some drinks and someone let slip a dirty word and one of the guys who had been keeping in closer touch said "Hey, watch the swear words about the Rev!

The rest of us were like WHAT!, my friend than produces some credentials that showed he was an ordained minister in the unity something or another Church. I asked him when he changed his views and he said he hadn't - said a buddy in the Airforce wanted him to officiate his marriage so my buddy took a short simple test, paid a fee and became an ordained minister with the authority that came with that. 

So, these days as it was back in older times, its a dime a dozen and anyone can claim to be a pastor. 

[Gregory Matthews]

The Universal Life Chruch, in Modesto California provides ordaination credentials to people around the world.  It has two (2) items of belief:

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1. Do only that which is right, and 2. All should be free to worship as they see fit. 

It has litigated its right to so operate and it has won that right in a U.S court. 

However, that does not mean that its credentials will be accepted in all circumstances.

*  As I understand it, in some places its clergy can perform marriages and in others they can not.  So, check that out if need be.

*  To be a Federal chaplain one must have much more.  

*   Employment as a clergyperson may require much more.

NOTE:  I am aware of a specific situation in which I informed a Conference President of a SDA member who was speaking at some SDA meetings, that he had been ordained by the Universal Life Chruch.  The President informed me that on that basis he would be banned from speaking at SDA meetings in the future.

 

 

 

[Theophilus]

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I am aware of a specific situation in which I informed a Conference President of a SDA member who was speaking at some SDA meetings, that he had been ordained by the Universal Life Chruch.  The President informed me that on that basis he would be banned from speaking at SDA meetings in the future.

Why? We have all sorts of "commoners " giving sermons. Several of the church elders, deacons, and even Pathfinder give sermons.

I have often thought about getting a credential from Universal Life.  I could add it to my repertoire.

[JoeMo]

12 hours ago, Theophilus said:

I have often thought about getting a credential from Universal Life.  I could add it to my repertoire.

I got my credentials from Universal Life 4 years ago so I could officiate at my daughter's wedding here in CO. 

[pierrepaul]

Quebec abolished the need to be any sort of real or fake clergy in order to officiate at a marriage. Any citizen can file an application with the province and be authorized to officiate.

[Gregory Matthews]

Jo MO:  When i was living in Colorado, the requirement to perform a marriage was to:  1) Be a Colorado resident.  2)  Be of legal age to be an adult.  3) To be competent.   Your clergy credentials were not needed.

 

Theophilus:   So-called "lay people" may be allowed to give a sermon in a SDA congregation.  SDA pastors, as I have done, may allow a clergy person of another denomination to preach to a SDA congregation.  However, we would never allow a Satanic pastor to preach in a SDA congregation.   The Universal Life Chruch has, as I understand it, has ordained Satanic pastors.  The Conference President agreed with me that the SDA member, ordained by the Universal Life Chruch, should no longer speak to SDA congregations.  The SDA Chruch does allow people to be restored.  So, it is possible that person has taken steps to resolve the situation and no longer is associated with the Universal Life Chruch.  I do not know.  But, at the time that I brought it to the President's attention, he was involved in practicing as ULC Clergy.

 

[B/W Photodude]

On 7/25/2021 at 7:27 PM, Gregory Matthews said:

The Universal Life Chruch, in Modesto California provides ordaination credentials to people around the world.  It has two (2) items of belief:  "1. Do only that which is right, and 2. All should be free to worship as they see fit. "

It has litigated its right to so operate and it has won that right in a U.S court. 

However, that does not mean that its credentials will be accepted in all circumstances.

*  As I understand it, in some places its clergy can perform marriages and in others they can not.  So, check that out if need be.

Acceptance of Universal Life credentials must be checked per the state you wish to perform a "clergy" duty. some states are very loose, others not so. A few years ago, a work friend wanted to do a wedding for her friend and asked how that would be possible. I was able to direct her to the Universal Life church and the public officials in Oregon had no problems with it. She did the wedding!

On 7/26/2021 at 10:10 AM, JoeMo said:

I got my credentials from Universal Life 4 years ago so I could officiate at my daughter's wedding here in CO.

Got my "ordination" in the nineties from UL. I never did spring for the "Doctor of Divinity" which was $20.00! Simple ordination is free. I have never used it for anything and would not attempt to do something "official" relying on those "credentials." It was just a fun thing to do. However, I would wonder why someone would have a problem with their two items of belief as it seems to be very consistent with Adventism or why do we have a religious liberty department?

On 7/25/2021 at 9:31 PM, Theophilus said:

Why? We have all sorts of "commoners " giving sermons. Several of the church elders, deacons, and even Pathfinder give sermons.

In some areas of the country, the pastor may be assigned to 5 & 6 churches and may only show up once a month. So, who is going to preach the other weeks of the month and sometimes there will be four other sabbaths in which the pastor will not be there? So, seems the "commoners" have to fill in.

[B/W Photodude]

Chances are increasingly likely if you attend the wedding of a couple under 30 years old, their officiant won’t be a person of the cloth but someone who’s close to the couple.

https://religionnews.com/2021/07/30/so-youve-been-asked-to-officiate-a-wedding-five-pieces-of-advice-from-the-pros/