I'm a real Reverend now...

A place where you can chat about whatever.

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rrfish
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Post by rrfish »

Yep. I was ordained this morning by the Universal Life Church Monastery. I'm a Reverend....I'm a Reverend?...No matter how many times I say it, it just sounds strange. Heh.

EDIT: And it's Legal!
Last edited by rrfish on Wed Jan 24, 2007 4:03 pm, edited 1 time in total.
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Kassidy
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Post by Kassidy »

Congratulations, mate! Out of curiosity how long was the seminary course leading up to ordainment? And have you got a placement?
Tallon
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Post by Tallon »

I have a question too. Are there specified ordainment classes for different Christian sects? i.e. are there different ordainment classes for Methodists, Baptists, Lutherens?
Which do you preach?
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Dr. Sheexy
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Post by Dr. Sheexy »

Dude, that's pretty flippin' awesome!

I mean, how many people get to turn their online handle into something real like that?

I mean, if I ever wanted to become a real Commander Sheexy I'd have to do a lot of stuff that I'm probably just not gonna do. That or I'd have to become the leader of some rebel squadron and kill a deathstar or something. You know, that kind of stuff.

Congratulations Reverend!

I find it hilarious that your current Seikens rating is Evil Sword.
rrfish
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Post by rrfish »

To be honest I have been studying Scripture, world religion, and church history for many many years now. Being a Religious Programs Specialist in the United States Navy has also increased my knowledge. I have taken various college classes, training courses, mentorship/discipleship studies, etc., etc. In my own walk, I study the text of Scripture in context, language, and history.

This said, I have to place emphasis that the Universal Life Church Monastery is a legally recognized, multi-faith church, with a willingness to Ordain any who apply. They revere the spirituality and religious freedoms of all peoples, so long as it does not infringe upon the rights of others. It is similiar to a Universalist Unitarian approach.

The ULC is located in Seattle (across the sound from where I live). I applied this morning and was ordained. A very untraditional approach, fitting to my Faith.

However if you are looking for the more traditional approach via a seminary (mind you, many of them are not credentialled), then you can easily find a seminary school that will fulfill the Faith needs of your particular denomination.

There are indeed different requirements for the varying denominations, but most will follow similar patterns, i.e. studies in biblical history, church history, language, cultural studies, the modern church, counselling, etc.,etc., in addition to other scholastic requisites. (All I have studied or received training in...and my studies/training continue)

The reason I chose to become legally ordained, is that it permits the opportunity for me to perform certain rites and offers me the backing support when questioned. I have dealt with preachers who blow me off as, "well you're not a minister/reverend/etc., so you don't know what you're talking about." Now I satisfy that need that they find in themselves to speak only with clergy.

My walk is such:

I grew up in a strict, oppressive, black and white "christian" church that completely neglected the ideas of Grace, Forgiveness, Hope, Faith, and most importantly Love. This initiated my journey through drugs, Pagan Faiths, and eventually an attempted suicide that led to my finding God.

When I found God, I vowed that I would continue in my studies as a Disciple of Christ (not the denomination...but a Disciple as described in scripture -Luke 9:23-24- ) studying the Scriptures in context, language, history, and intent in my scholastic and professional endeavors.

I recognize that there are people who have misused UCL as a joke, a bullet on a card, abuse on tax exmption, etc., etc., but I recognize it for what it is. Legal ordination, and a potential opportunity for later endeavors.

I preach Christ and Him Crucified. I preach the Word in context and in intent. The intent? Christ and Love. Christ, in that we are fallen and without means of redeeming ourselves, so God reached down to us through the incarnation of his Son to offer us a way to Him through accepting His gift. Love, in that when Christ was question about the greatest of all law, He responded with: 1. To Love the Lord your God with your entire being. 2a. To Love your neighbor... 2b. ...as your self. (Matthew 22: 34-40)

As for denomination; I would be considered Christian: Non-denominational, though many have coined me a Christian Mystic.
Last edited by rrfish on Wed Jan 24, 2007 6:39 pm, edited 1 time in total.
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Marini
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Post by Marini »

Warmest congratulations, Reverend!

:)
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Kassidy
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Post by Kassidy »

Interesting, I hadn't heard of the ULC up until now. Also thank you for sharing your background behind your journey to finding Christ. It's always encouraging to hear other Christians stories regarding how they came to faith.

The idea of a denomination as "Mystic" is interesting, being a non-denominational myself (though tending toward Church of England as that is the denomination of the church I attend).

The preaching of Christ in love seems to be on the wane in many circles, so I encourage you to continue doing so, as we really do need it to be done more.
rrfish
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Post by rrfish »

I used to think "Mystic" as being a strange reference to anything pertaining to the Christian Faith. However, when you look at it, "mysticism" is defined as "...a doctrine of an immediate spiritual intuition of truths believed to transcend ordinary understanding, or of a direct, intimate union of the soul with God through contemplation or ecstasy..." (dictionary.com)

Our communion with God through prayer, meditation, and worship, and the understanding of Man's intuititive knowledge that there is *something* greater than we, seems to indicate us as mystics.

You're right. Love seems to be almost an afterthought in many modern Christian circles. For too long there has been an overwhelming need to point our fingers, accuse, curse, and in general say "We are better than you." This is heresy. Christ lived as an example. He did not come to condemn, but offer Life. However, there is much to expound upon on that topic, so I will cut it short lest I give a full sermon on the board.

XD
Tallon
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Post by Tallon »

Wow! Once again Congratulations. Like Kassidy said, I appreciate you telling us of your finding of God. I wonder if you would mind me e-mailing you some questions that I have? I grew up in a town where religius views ruled the town, and all the beliefs of the runners of the town were like the ones you described. Finger pointings, accusations, etc. So I have never really had anyone I could really talk to about things I have questions on.

I don't want to start a big religious battle, so if it is ok, I will just ask you my questions via the e-mail you provided in your profile.
Last edited by Tallon on Wed Jan 24, 2007 9:10 pm, edited 1 time in total.
rrfish
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Post by rrfish »

Tallon,

No problem, in fact I would be honored. I personally have nothing to hide and have been subjugated to my fair share of religious abuse. Still shocks some folks to find that I am not at all angry with God.

Anyhow.

reverend dot rumble dot fish at hotmail dot com

is where you can reach me. I can only access that email address in the early evenings and on weekends. (It is blocked here at the command because people kept bringing in virii, trojans, and worms.)
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Destiny
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Post by Destiny »

Congrats :)

I'm slightly confused though. When you say "multi-faith", do you mean multi-faith or multi-Christian-denominations? Cos when you said that I pictured more a union of different faiths i.e. Hindus, Christians, Jews, Buddhists, Taoists... but then you went on to talk about Christian stuff so I guess you meant the latter? :)

Just curious. I have heard of the Universal Life Church but never knew what it was.
rrfish
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Post by rrfish »

No, I meant the former. It is similar to a Universal Unitarian approach which recognizes the value of all Faiths of all peoples. Like you said, Hindus, Christians, Jews, Buddhist, Taoist, New Age Spiritualist, Wiccans, etc., etc.

I myself am a Christian of Faith (which to me is much different than modern contemporary Christianity), but they will ordain all members of all Faiths. I am officially an ordained Minister (title: Reverend) of the ULC. I can start a church, perform rites, etc., etc. (in the context of law of course) according to my Faith tradition, just like a Wiccan priestess could do as a Minister within the ULC according to her Faith tradition. ULC is our backing affiliate.

The downfall is you have too many people who take this as a joke and become ordained just for the hell of it. They don't do anything with it, they just do it because they think it is funny.
Last edited by rrfish on Wed Jan 24, 2007 10:52 pm, edited 1 time in total.
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Kefka
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Post by Kefka »

.... enjoy?
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Post by Lotus »

As a curiosity, if the ULC is so often knocked, why did you choose it? Are there not more respected places you could have become ordained at? You seem to have the credentials, so why not pick a place with a better reputation?

Anyways, congratulations, your views seem very similar to mine actually. It seems a rare commodity to get to talk to someone whose faith is very similar to your own, it seems most are too traditional or too lax (that might come across poorly, I can't think of a better way to say it right now)
rrfish
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Post by rrfish »

I chose ULC because in all honesty ordination from men (according to my Faith tradition) means little. Yet many within my Faith group put such emphasis on it. "I was ordained at...", "Oh well I was ordained at...", etc., etc. And there is a sense of smugness to some (not all) of these individuals who look down with an attitude of, well if you are not clergy, then you have no right to speak before us. The hubris is astounding.

What about being ordained by God? Paul, I believe, testifies to that. Who is man to say You are called, and you are not...? This ordination I have received satisfies -whether they will admit to it or not- their requisite. It means little in all honesty. If one is ordained by the greatest of seminaries, but not ordained and called by God, then their ordainment is empty.

I feel called. My life has been called to untraditional ministries through untraditional means, and despite the fury and road blocks placed by Brothers and Sisters, the fruits of the Spirit have flourished. Not by my hands, nor by my means, for I am simply an instrument. This ordination is no different -when you break it all down- than any other. It gives a legal status, and it may open doors otherwise closed in the future. -I don't know God's plans, and I am not about to pretend to. :) I mean I'm going to a ship in Japan when I was desperately hoping to go with the Marines-

I felt that there was a reason for becoming ordained through this medium. I am a strong advocate for religious tolerance. None of us have the right to force God down another's throat; especially since God will not force Himself upon others. I believe in learning from one another, taking from others that which may improve ourselves. -Tolerance is not accepting the traditions/beliefs/etc. as your own, but recognizing another's right to follow in such suit so long as it harms none.- ULC places an over arching emphasis on such tolerance.

I don't know...this is just the path that was before me, and the path I chose to walk down. Additionally military life doesn't necessarily provide the time for me to go through the formal steps we come to expect by tradition.
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