Online ordination to officiate at wedding
A close friend of mine and fellow churchgoer (WELS) recently shared with me her intentions to become an ordained minister (online) so she could marry her brother at their wedding. As her brother and bride-to-be have no church affiliation, she thought this would be a way to minister to them while marrying them legally. Her brother has rallied behind this plan. My friend is a good person and attends church regularly, but has had no formal theological education beyond eighth grade confirmation. When I was not supportive of this, she asked why. I told her online ordination is simply a transaction that may give one legal status to marry, but is offensive to God and His Church; to say nothing of ārealā ordained ministers who are called by the Holy Spirit and have studied rigorously to attain this status. I also advised her that, as a WELS member, she would likely not be welcome to continue in our fellowship if she becomes an ordained minister within another church body ā most especially true as Scripture is clear that women are not to be ordained, period, WELS or not. I am struggling to answer her convictions that there is no scriptural/doctrinal problem here. I donāt want her to disgrace the ministry of the Gospel or bring unintended consequences to her spiritual well-being. She has rebuffed my suggestions of speaking to our pastor, saying itās not about religion, itās just about performing this ceremony for her brother. Can you provide some guidance in this situation? Thank you and blessings to you all.
Since governments regulate marriage, governments also stipulate who canāas agents of the governmentāofficiate at weddings. Regulations vary from state to state. Ordination is not always a requirement.
It does look like you gave your friend accurate information. You could simply supply the scriptural support for why women are not to be ordained clergy: 1 Corinthians 11:3; 14:33-35; 1 Timothy 2:11-12.
Your friend stated to you that she wishes to officiate at her brotherās wedding because of a desire to āministerā to her unchurched brother and fiancĆ©e. While that might be a noble goal, a pastor would be in a much better position to minister to a couple like that by offering biblical pre-marital counseling and then officiating at their wedding.
I wish you well in your conversations with your friend and pray for Godās blessings on them.