Minister Asked to Perform a Same-Sex Marriage

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We have been ordaining ministers, rabbis and other clergy (both gay and straight) for decades as part of our church and seminary’s mission to provide compassionate, skilled, spiritually nurturing alternative clergy to every community.

ordained same-sex marriage perform officiate gay wedding LGBT minister clergyAlternative clergy is one thing, but what about alternative lifestyles? One of our recent ordained ministers asked what the Esoteric Interfaith Church’s policy is regarding gay marriage, aka same-sex marriage. He has been asked to officiate a same-sex wedding next month.

The church has always believed that ordination does not mean we control your every move, in fact we encourage autonomy and the founding of your own church. If you are asked to officiate a same-sex wedding in a state where it is legal, that is fine. As long as you are not breaking the laws of the land, you are in good standing with the church / seminary. But what about the laws of the Bible?, some have asked.

Doesn’t the Judeo-Christian Bible say homosexuality is an abomination? How can a church or synagogue allow gay marriages to be officiated and claim to follow the Bible?

Below are some links proving that the Bible does NOT condemn homosexuality, does not call it an abomination. As you read the proof, keep in mind these facts from the scientific and medical fields:

Some animal species have homosexual members (swans, wolves, penguins), proving it occurs naturally in God’s Creation.  Only 5 to 7% of humans are homosexual and this rareness leads to humanity’s complete misunderstanding of it.

Homosexuality sometimes runs in families, as LGBT people will tell you.  Science has proven it has genetic elements. Just google “gay gene”.

Teenagers and pre-teens who have never been sexually active realizing they’re gay when they constantly have crushes on members of their same gender proves humans are born with their sexual orientation. It is not a “learned” behavior.

Here are the links:

The Bible Does NOT Condemn Homosexuality
http://notalllikethat.org/taking-god-at-his-word-the-bible-and-homosexuality/

Six Reasons Why Christians Should Embrace Same-Sex Relationships
 
The Bible & Homosexuality on Wikipedia

 

PhD in Celtic & Anglo-Saxon Religious Studies, PhD in Spiritual Counseling

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PhD in Spiritual Counseling degreeCustom PhD degree title for your degree diploma

One of our recently ordained ministers also needed a religious PhD degree via distance learning with credit for his life work, and he needed it for a specific spiritual niche in which he works. We do allow PhD candidates to “design” their degree title to match what they are doing in the field of spirituality. Sometimes it is very interesting the religious degrees they need, such as PhD in Vedic Studies, or Jewish Theology, or the unique degree diploma we conferred this week — PhD in Celtic & Anglo-Saxon Religious Studies.

Traditional PhD in Religious Studies or Religion

Many people just need the traditional PhD in Religious Studies or PhD in Religion, while some are doing spiritual or pastoral counseling and need a counseling degree.

PhD in Pastoral Counseling is similar to PhD in Spiritual Counseling

Many ordained clergy are doing a lot of spiritual and religious counseling, traditionally called “Pastoral Counseling”.  So the seminary often gets requests for a PhD in Pastoral Counseling in some countries called the DPC or Doctor of Pastoral Counseling. We also get requests for its more modern version, the PhD in Spiritual Counseling and sometimes a PhD in Christian Counseling. All of these seminary doctorate degrees entitle the recipient to be called a doctor and put Dr. in front of their name, just as the D.Div (Doctor of Divinity) and Th.D. (Doctor of Theology) allow.

Become a Rev. Dr.

And since we always ordain our degree graduates (unless they are already ordained as a minister, rabbi, or other clergy) the religious doctorate degree graduate may also be called a Rev. Dr., such as Rev. Dr. Jean Goddard.  Read all about that in our Seminary Doctorate Degree center.

Get Ordained for Wedding Season, Earn your Seminary Degree during 2015 Graduation Season

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Wedding Season 2015 is here! Busy time for Ordained Clergy

officiate marriage same-sex weddingWedding Season started early this year — in April instead of late May. We have done several ordinations this month for people who have been asked to perform a marriage. Two became an ordained minister, one we ordained as a rabbi, and another needed to become a chaplain. We do all the paperwork, and the new clergy member is legal to perform marriages / weddings in all 50 states. One newly ordained minister will likely officiate a same-sex wedding / marriage, next month, he says, which is now legal in his state so we don’t have a problem with it.  If you need speedy and legal ordination so that you can start your ministry or wedding service, we can help you immediately. Just follow the steps on the Ordination Page and get ordained today. Rabbis have a separate ordination page, at the Seminary Rabbi Center. Credentials are shipped out within 24 hours if you have a wedding, we can even scan and email a copy to you immediately. We also help you on the day of the wedding to complete the clergy section of the marriage license brought to you by the bride and groom.

The Season to Graduate with a Religious Seminary Degree

PhD in Pastoral Spiritual Counseling, Doctor of Divinity Degree onlineThis is also the time of year for graduation ceremonies. The Seminary is bestowing several degrees in April, May and June, perfect graduation dates! We are conferring a Ph.D. in Spiritual Counseling, a Doctor of Divinity, a Ph.D. in Pastoral Counseling and a Doctor of Theology.

And oh yes, a Ph.D. in Metaphysics,

one of our more popular degrees — many people feel called to become metaphysicians and serve their community with a spiritual healing / counseling practice.

Mustn’t Forget the Seminary Masters and Bachelors degree candidates

who will get their degrees this week, including one whose family is hosting a graduation ceremony for him at home with cap and gown and the works. His wife will present the diploma from us during the ceremony.

Get Your Religious, Spiritual Seminary Degree Immediately

If you want to graduate this month there is still plenty of time! Just follow the steps on the Ph.D. page or the Doctorate Degree page. Masters and Bachelors degrees.

How to Comfort Someone After Loss: Pastoral Care & Clergy Skills

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As an ordained minister, Rabbi or pastoral counselor you have undoubtedly been asked to comfort someone who has just experienced a loss. There are so many things we should NOT say, things that will only make it worse, and I think we published a list of them here in the blog last year. Things like, “You’ll get over it. Death is a natural part of life!” and other horrors clergy are advised never to say. But we know as clergy it is our job to say SOMEthing in the way of comfort.

Here are a couple of good ideas I found today from this short, pithy article: What to Say When You Have No Idea What to Say

To comfort the bereaved — what to say to a person grieving the death of a loved one.

“‘I wish I could fix this. I can’t. It’s terrible.'” … you don’t have to pretend. You don’t have to act like you have the existential hug and kiss to make this situation better. She knows you don’t. What you can give is you, the comfort of your presence. The temporary balm of not-aloneness.”

When somebody interviews for their dream job but doesn’t get chosen:

“‘You are more than this situation. You are more than this job. You are more than your work life.’ Don’t waste his/her time with any dreck about how this job wouldn’t have actually been his/her dream job.”

When someone needs emotional support after a marriage or relationship ends, spouse moves out, the author says, “time to quote Rilke. ‘Let everything happen to you: beauty and terror. Just keep going. No feeling is final.'”

No feeling is final.  I like that. No emotion is going to outlast the eternity that is your soul. Try not to let a tragic emotion get the best of you. It’s okay to feel what you’re feeling, however. Please give yourself permission to let it all come out. Every emotion is permitted, every emotion should have its say. Just don’t let it have sway (over you).

 

 

A Religious Degree for Spiritual Leaders – Seminary Degrees via Online Distance Learning

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religious online degree PhD in Pastoral CounselingYou’re a person already working to improve the lives of others. Make the next step by earning a degree, such as Ph.D. in Pastoral Counseling, Ph.D. in Religion, Ph.D. in Metaphysics, Doctor of Divinity or Theology degree (see list of degree titles below). If you are not already ordained clergy, you also become an ordained minister at no extra cost with any degree from our interfaith seminary.

The Seminary is unique in the world because it confers religious degrees designed for all faiths, interfaith and multi-faith. This program empowers you as a spiritual teacher, leader, ordained minister, rabbi, priest, or other clergy by using the skills you already have. You receive the doctorate degree credentials you need to enhance your standing in your community and assure their confidence in you. Get started today on a new career making use of your spiritual ability.

A religious degree will enable you to enter the spiritual / religious workforce OR advance your current career as a spiritual teacher, leader or clergy. The Seminary offers degrees for all faiths in all spiritual fields, such as:

Theology Degrees

Bachelor of Theology, B.Th.
Master of Theology, M.Th.
Doctor of Theology, Th.D.

Divinity

Bachelor of Divinity, B.Div.
Master of Divinity, M.Div.
Doctor of Divinity, D.Div. (Most respected and highest ranking degree in the U.K. and most of Europe)

Metaphysics

Ph.D. in Metaphysics  (you become a religious doctor but also a metaphysician)

PhD in Religious Studies PhD in Spiritual Psychology Counseling Degree onlineDoctor of Pastoral Counseling, D.P.C.

Ph.D. in Pastoral Counseling
Ph.D. in Spiritual Counseling
Ph.D. in Christian Counseling
Ph.D. in Spiritual Psychology

Religious and Spiritual Education Degrees

Ph.D. in Religious Education
Ph.D. in Spiritual Education
Ph.D. in Christian Education

Other Seminary degrees:

Ph.D. in Religious Studies, PhD. in Religion
Bachelors and Masters Degrees of other disciplines

MATCH YOUR DEGREE TITLE TO YOUR SPECIFIC FIELD

You may choose your own religious degree title. Just this afternoon we received a request from an artist for a PhD in Aesthetic Theology.  In over 25 years of granting religious degrees of all kinds, this degree title is new to us – but it is certainly approved. He is also approved to submit some of his art for his thesis.

IF YOU NEED MULTIPLE DEGREES, there are packages. THE SECOND IS HALF-PRICE and Alumni Discount will help you if you want a complete series of degrees, Bachelor, Masters followed by Doctorate Degree. Religious degrees are unique in that you do not have to get a Bachelors or Masters first before receiving a Doctor of Divinity degree, for example or religious degree of Ph.D.

__________________

Esoteric Interfaith Theological Seminary is exempt from accreditation and Authorized by Florida Commission of Independent Education Sec. 1005.06(1)(f) of Religious Institutions to award religious degrees

EIC, Inc. and Theological Seminary | 7257 NW 4th Blvd., Suite 78 | Gainesville, FL  32607

Officiating a Marriage Tomorrow

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One of the nicer things about being an Ordained Minister is when people ask you to perform their wedding. I am officiating a marriage tomorrow for two childhood sweethearts.

The bride and groom wrote their own vows last week; I am reading them now. Very profound. It’s going to be an outdoor / home wedding, so hopefully the weather will hold!

 

Third of Ordained Clergy are Obese

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Holy heftiness: One-third of clergy members are obese, study finds

Overweight officiants are becoming the norm, Baylor University researchers said. But sabbaticals, days off and support groups can keep these overworked, underpaid members of society slim.

Read the above article here

Become an ordained minister rabbi priest pastor and wear this feminine clergy fashion

Esther Clergy Blouse from houseofilona.com

Of all the ordained ministers, pastors, priests, rabbis, and other ordained clergy we work with, I cannot think of any that are obese!  I have ordained many in my time, three already this year. Maybe if you are an alternative interfaith minister (like those who come to us for ordination!) you do not “fit” the mold. The woman wearing this awesome clergy blouse is definitely not obese.

Other interesting headlines from this new study:

Portly pastors: Study finds over a third of America’s clergy are obese due to stress, long hours  Read Article on Washington Times

Portly Pastors Widespread, but Sabbaticals and Peer Support Can Help Fight Fat, Baylor Study Finds Read More at Baylor Univ

 

Congrats to our New Ordained Ministers, & Religious Degree Graduates

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Lots of clergy ordinations this holiday season, congrats to all our recent Seminary graduates!

Several ordained as a minister

We had two people become ordained on Winter Solstice this year, and two on Christmas day.

Becoming Ordained as a Rabbi

Three wanted Rabbi ordination during Hanukkah.

Earned a Religious Degree

Congrats also to two who earned a Bachelor of Theology (Th.B.) degree, and two others upon whom we conferred a Ph.D. in Metaphysics, and a Ph.D. in Pastoral Counseling before the year ends. We have a Doctor of Divinity going out to an alumnus who wants to wait until New Year’s Day 2015 for his graduation date.

Religious Seminary Degrees with Online Study Jewish & Christian

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Christian-based & Jewish-based Religious Degrees with Online Study

Seminary degree online religious degrees doctorate bachelor

Seminary Degree Graduate Pin

For over 25 years now, the Seminary has offered Interfaith and alternative religious degrees to people who do not fit in to mainstream seminaries due to their alternative religious beliefs. Our people study online. Most of our degrees stem from the Christian heritage of Western Civilization (Europe, USA, Commonwealth Countries) such as the Doctor of Divinity, Doctor of Theology (Th.D.), and Master of Divinity, Master of Theology (Th.M. or M.Th.), PhD in Pastoral Counseling, Ph.D. in Religion, etc. We also have spiritual degrees such as Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.) in Metaphysics and many others. Lesser known are our undergraduate religious degrees, the Bachelors degrees, such as Bachelor of Divinity, Bachelor of Theology also called the Th.B. or B.Th., Bachelor of Religion, etc.

Yesterday, someone inquired about Jewish degrees:

What Bachelor degrees do you offer in Jewish / Judaic fields?

We answered:

The seminary allows you to choose your religious degree title. Jewish Bachelor degrees we have conferred in the past are Bachelor of Arts in Jewish Studies, Bachelor of Hebrew Studies, Bachelor of Hebrew Theology, Doctor of Jewish Theology, Bachelor of Theology in Judaism, Bachelor of Judaic Studies (we have conferred a Ph.D. in Jewish Studies). Those Bachelor degrees come immediately to mind, but you can customize your own degree title.

You may also receive ordination as a Rabbi at no extra cost. Becoming ordained, whether as a Rabbi or Ordained Minister, offers legal protection should you in future accept donations for any spiritual services or spiritual counseling / advising. Ordination means you become clergy enabling you to develop the clergy – client confidentiality relationship such as attorneys and doctors have. You’ve heard of attorney privilege, there is also clergy privilege.

Then we gave him a list of the requirements for the religious Bachelors Degree programs from the Seminary.

For more on the difference between a PhD in Metaphysics degree vs. a Doctor of Divinity degree, read this.

Find the requirements for ALL our degree programs online here.