ordination
Just about anybody in America can officiate a wedding, thanks to the internet – and one determined preacher
By Dusty Hoesly — July 27, 2023
(The Conversation) — A professor who has researched the Universal Life Church unpacks why many couples now prefer to hand-pick loved ones to perform their ceremonies.
Some churches leave UMC through formal process; others are suing
By Yonat Shimron — December 6, 2022
(RNS) — Legal action — or the threat of legal action — represents a new strategy on behalf of churches that want to leave the 6.4 million-member United Methodist Church.
So you’ve been asked to officiate a wedding? Five pieces of advice from the pros
By Renée Roden — July 30, 2021
(RNS) — Chances are increasingly likely if you attend the wedding of a couple under 30 years old, their officiant won’t be a person of the cloth but someone who’s close to the couple.
Ravi Zacharias posthumously defrocked, ministry suspends fundraising after abuse report
By Bob Smietana — February 19, 2021
(RNS) — Ravi Zacharias International Ministries has shut down fundraising as it deals with the fallout from a report about its founders. Several overseas offices of RZIM have also been affected by the report. RZIM Canada has announced it will shut down.
Vatican causes chaos by invalidating baptism formula
By Thomas Reese — September 15, 2020
(RNS) — The real problem is that the Vatican is treating the traditional words of baptism like a computer password.
Evangelical denomination expels entire congregation over LGBT policy
By Yonat Shimron — June 28, 2019
(RNS) — The Evangelical Covenant Church's vote to expel the First Covenant Church, a prominent and historic Minneapolis congregation, for being "out of harmony on human sexuality," took place at the denomination’s annual meeting in Omaha on Friday (June 27).
What to do about ordination? A gay divinity school student ponders her future
By Yonat Shimron — April 23, 2019
DURHAM (RNS) — Dozens of LGBTQ United Methodist seminary students will graduate next month from the 13 schools affiliated with the denomination. Like Spencer Cullom, who is a lesbian, they face an uncertain future.
United Methodists should acknowledge reality that they are no longer united
By Jacob Lupfer — February 22, 2019
(RNS) — The divide between liberals and conservatives has been baked into the UMC from its inception in 1968. It's time to let go.
Church of England plans to test aspiring clergy for skills, aptitude — and narcissism
By Catherine Pepinster — July 20, 2018
LONDON (RNS) — Better psychological profiling of clergy, experts say, can help to spot pathologies such as narcissism and Machiavellianism that can turn pastors into rivals of the God they purport to serve.
Why the rescued Thai soccer boys are considering becoming monks
By Andrew Alan Johnson — July 17, 2018
(The Conversation) — In Theravada Buddhist practice, ordination as a monk and donating the merit thus gained is one of the greatest honors that a person can give to another.
Church in Congo suspends sacraments as Ebola spreads
By G. Jeffrey MacDonald — June 5, 2018
NAIROBI, Kenya (RNS) — Catholics will not be baptized, confirmed, ordained or anointed until further notice in the country’s northwestern regions hardest hit by the outbreak.
More seminary students leave the Master of Divinity behind
By Yonat Shimron — May 11, 2018
(RNS) — The economics of church decline and practicalities of today’s students, many of whom area already working in churches, may be among the reasons for the drop off in the Master of Divinity degree.
Pope ordains 16 priests, tells them always ‘be merciful’
By Associated Press — April 22, 2018
(AP) — Pope Francis is reminding priests to always be merciful, as he ordained 16 men in a ceremony in St. Peter’s Basilica.
Jared Kushner isn’t an ‘internet Unitarian,’ but he is ordained
By Jack Jenkins — January 4, 2018
WASHINGTON (RNS) — 'I can marry you! I’m an internet Unitarian minister,' Kushner is quoted as saying.
Catholic groups launch conversation about female deacons
By Josephine McKenna — June 15, 2017
VATICAN CITY (RNS) The pope has ruled out the ordination of women as priests, but he may endorse women deacons.
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