Is There A “Reverend” In The House?

It’s wedding season and recently I was invited to one that was held in a Motel 8 meeting room (I am a friend of the brides family). It was a typical ceremony for this cute young couple with a young man officiating. I learned during the reception that the young man who officiated was the brother of the groom. This financially challenged, enterprising middle class young couple, had decide for the grooms brother to obtain a ministers license and marry them to cut down on expenses. While munching on cake I asked him about his credentials and he told me he got his license on-line so he could save his brother and new sister inlaw enough money to have family and friends at a ceremony. He got it from Progressive Universal Life Church. Here’s their advertisement,

As a P.U.L.C. Minister (with the legal right to use the title “Reverend”) you will be free to preach and teach according to the dictates of your heart. We authorize you to perform all functions of the ministry including marriages, baptisms, funerals, services, etc.. As a point of passing, thousands of Ministers have become enormously wealthy performing simple religious ceremonies. Our Ministers get many discounts such as fares on airplanes, buses, ships and trains. Many hotels and clothing stores also offer us substantial savings. Another privilege is special hospital visitation hours. All of this for a small love offering of only $19.50.( These folks obviously know their target customers)

Allthough this seemed disrespectful at first, it occurred to me on the drive home that this young man had acted more in-line with scripture than the pastor at the large church they attend. You see this pastor expects a honorarium of $500 for performing a wedding. Jesus described these pastors very well in Matt. 23.

5.”But all their works they do to be seen of men. They make their phylacteries broad and enlarge the borders of their garments.” 6. “They love the best places at feasts, the best seats in the synagogues,” 7. “greetings in the market places, and to be called by men, ‘Rabbi, Rabbi.’ 8. “But you, do not be called ‘Rabbi’, for One is your Teacher, the Christ, and you are all brethren.”

These verses do not require a great deal of study to determine that most of the pastors around are like the pharisees in Jesus day. “We are all brethren”, no one is special, except Jesus.

On a side note, another friend is a real estate salesman and was telling me about a local pastor of a big church he was showing houses to. After they had found a house the pastor wanted and had made an offer, the pastor ask him if he would discount his commission for the Lord. My friend refused and told him that God charges ten percent but he only charges six.

I don’t know if this young man will pursue the ministry, however if he does, at least his heart is in a better place than most who are out there today.

11. “But he who is greatest among you shall be your servant.” 12. “And whoever exalts himself will be humbled, he who humbles himself will be exalted.”