OT: I am now a Reverend.

ChrisLaughlin · Post by **ChrisLaughlin** » Sun Jan 26, 2003 6:42 pm

I just want to let everyone know that several minutes ago I received my official certification as a Reverend from the Universal Life Church on-line. I am now legally certified to conduct weddings, etc.
So.... I expect you all to address me as the Reverend Christopher S. Laughlin from now on.
Thank you,
Chris
P.S. - If anyone needs to be married, I'll do it cheaply and throw in some flute playing for free!

Feadan · Post by **Feadan** » Sun Jan 26, 2003 6:54 pm

Been there...done that...many years ago.
You should have posted a link to the Universal Life Church so everyone can be so endowed.

Cheers,
Rev. David de la Barre

TelegramSam · Post by **TelegramSam** » Sun Jan 26, 2003 6:55 pm

lol that is so sad...

jim_mc · Post by **jim_mc** » Sun Jan 26, 2003 7:08 pm

Reverend Laughlin, make sure you have followed all the local ordinances about registering yourself and so forth before committing to performing any weddings. Your ordination alone is not sufficient in most jurisdictions.

Congratulations and Best Wishes,

Reverend McCabe

brewerpaul · Post by **brewerpaul** » Sun Jan 26, 2003 7:20 pm

Mazel Tov! Do they offer an online Rabbinate too?

jim_mc · Post by **jim_mc** » Sun Jan 26, 2003 7:22 pm

Hey Chris, did you know Skip Healy is also a reverend?

mvhplank · Post by **mvhplank** » Sun Jan 26, 2003 7:27 pm

Congratulations all.

Now, for a wee lesson in forms of address, according to my holy book of some years ago, the Associated Press Stylebook.

Your correct title is "THE Rev. So-and-so." Should you also hold a Ph.D., you are "the Rev. Dr. Thus-and-such." AP considers "reverend" to be a description as much as a title.

Thus endeth the first lesson.

M

livethe question · Post by **livethe question** » Sun Jan 26, 2003 7:28 pm

Hey Rev,

I haven't been keeping up with our Ruuummmmbble thread. Does this mean our side can now be blessed and ours become a holy calling. We can adopt Dylan's song "With God on Our Side" as our anthem.

jim

Tyghress · Post by **Tyghress** » Sun Jan 26, 2003 7:31 pm

On 2003-01-26 20:20, brewerpaul wrote:
Mazel Tov! Do they offer an online Rabbinate too?

Hey Paul! I can beat my sister to ordination!

Bretton · Post by **Bretton** » Sun Jan 26, 2003 7:38 pm

mee too! Although I haven't sent away for all the official stuff (certificate, etc...).

fatveg · Post by **fatveg** » Sun Jan 26, 2003 7:42 pm

Before everyone gets carried away, if you have children think hard before you get ordained. I'm a Pastor's son, and believe me, everything they say about Pastors' sons is true!

rebl_rn · Post by **rebl_rn** » Sun Jan 26, 2003 8:02 pm

I second that fatveg! I am a PK (Priest's Kid/Pastor's Kid) as well and it's not fun. I was actually a fairly well-behaved PK, maybe because my dad also was the Chief of Police (yes, an Episcopal priest and a cop at the same time). So I really had high expectations to live up to! Fortunately I am also the youngest of six, so my siblings had pretty much done it all before.

Beth

jim stone · Post by **jim stone** » Sun Jan 26, 2003 8:26 pm

I checked the website. Anybody
can become an ordained minister
in 3 minutes, regardless of what
they believe, etc. I know they've
been around for a long while,
since the 60s. I'm curious,
why are they doing this? Best

Paul · Post by **Paul** » Sun Jan 26, 2003 9:29 pm

As I understand, It was started during the depression (or after?) so that people could easily form churches for some type of exemption. It has been a long time since I was told about it so I don't really remember the exact details.

-Paul

one-tin-soldier · Post by **one-tin-soldier** » Sun Jan 26, 2003 10:07 pm

jeez rev., I sure hope you did not give them your real name and address. I hope if the FBI shows up at your door, they do not affiliate you with the C&F board, I'd hate to see it shut down!

I just finished a search about these guys on the internet, it was really scary!! Run away, run far away!!

Cheryl