Member-only story
I Performed My First Marriage
On being the Officiant at my son’s wedding
Toward the end of last year, my son asked his girlfriend to marry him. It was the second marriage for both of them, so they didn’t want a big wedding. Something simple with just close family.
Much to my surprise, they asked me if I would be the officiant. I was surprised because I had never considered doing anything like that. I am not a pastor. Yes, I have a job in ministry, but I am acting in that position as a layperson.
Of course, I said yes.
And that launched me into a flurry of research to find out what it would take to become licensed to perform the marriage in Ohio legally.
Getting ordained
As it turns out, it was really quite easy.
I never realized how many organizations will ordain you, and all you have to do is ask. It really is as simple as that. You sign up, say you want to be ordained, and they will send you your ordination, in some cases, immediately.
My concern was, if I am going to get ordained, even if I’m only going to use it one time, I want it to be with an organization I agree with.
As a conservative Christian, I have some very specific beliefs about what I believe is right for me. I…
