Hello and thanks for your interest. It's no small thing to use the web to find someone for a very personal and important day. I understand how nerve-racking and intimidating this can be, and I've tried to make it easier by giving you more information. Here's my background information. I've been a wedding officiant for more than 7 years. In that time I've done about 700 Long Island and New York City weddings.
I was ordained to Christian ministry in the '80s. From 1980 to 2000 I served as a full-time pastor in two Baptist churches - one in Pennsylvania and one on Long Island. At Western Seminary in beautiful Portland, Oregon, I earned a Master's degree in divinity (M.Div.) and a Master's in theology (Th.M.) - the standard theological degrees. I received my B.S. from Philadelphia Biblical University in Langhorne, PA, where I was a pastoral major.
As a wedding officiant I conduct non-denominational Christian ceremonies, and also non-religious ones. The same holds true when it comes to funerals. In both cases, the shape and style of the ceremony or service depends almost entirely upon you and your background and desires, not mine. It's not about me.
I'm am registered with the city of NY, which means I have appeared before the City Clerk's office in person and produced "sufficient evidence of my ordination by a recognized religious body."
In some significant ways I'm different from many other officiants on the internet. Mostly, I'm thinking of those who don't have pastoral experience in a local church, ordination from a traditional denomination (e.g., Lutheran, Methodist, Presbyterian, Baptist), or the recognized, standard seminary degrees. It's something for you to note as you search for an officiant - just so that as much as possible, you match your officiant with your desires as a couple (e.g., more or less traditional, more or less religious, "new age" or not, etc.)
I'm like to describe myself as a somewhat old-fashioned, garden variety minister. (Think Reverend Camden on Seventh Heaven but on Long Island.) I hope this means I'm warm, helpful, caring, and professional - but not spooky or kooky.
I hope this information puts your mind at ease. If you have further questions, please don't hesitate to ask. It's always good to practice "due diligence." (Pastor Bill Britton @ (516) 242-3721 or pastor@clergyoncallministries.com) |