Ordained Minister Archives - Universal Life Church Monastery Blog

Why More Couples Want Friends or Family to Officiate Their Wedding

March 25th, 2019

A recent survey showed that 51 percent of couples chose to have a friend or family member officiate their wedding ceremony. What's driving this trend?

Weddings 37 Comments

Donning the Mantle of “Priestly Activism”

January 29th, 2015

Father Richard Estrada is a fierce immigrant rights and homeless advocate, his life has been marked by loss and tragedy. His story shows us that priests do not need to be boring, stodgy, unyielding traditionalists.

Christian 8 Comments

Mars Hill and Minister Integrity

September 10th, 2014

Mark Driscoll, lead pastor at Mars Hill megachurch, has recently been accused by church elders for engaging in practices unbecoming of a man of the cloth. The allegations greatly shocked his congregation.

Political & Religious Controversy 16 Comments

Patty Duke Becomes Ordained to Marry Gay Couples

June 18th, 2014

In a move illustrating the growing acceptance of same-sex marriage, TV legend Patty Duke recently became an ordained minister online in the Universal Life Church. The actress, whom many will remember from her roles in The Patty Duke Show and Valley of the Doll

Celebrity Ministers 3 Comments

“To Heaven and Back”: Three Powerful Near-Death Experiences

December 5th, 2013

What does it feel like to die? This was the question explored in Anderson Cooper Special Report: To Heaven and Back, which aired recently on CNN and featured the personal testimony of three individuals who died.

Progressive Spirituality 3 Comments

Court Rejects Tax Break on Clergy Housing

December 2nd, 2013

Should ordained ministers receive tax breaks on housing allowances? No, according to a recent ruling by a United States District Court judge. If the decision goes unchallenged, an Internal Revenue Service exemption for clergy housing allowances would be revers

Political & Religious Controversy Leave a Comment

Bobby Flay: Iron Chef Now Iron Minister

August 2nd, 2013

Bobby Flay, the celebrity chef, restaurateur, and television personality has recently garnished his already impressive profile with an exciting new status: ordained minister.

Humor & Satire 1 Comment

Ordained Ministers and Alabama’s Public Prayer Problem

July 29th, 2013

What does it take to show public servants that public meetings are not the place to hold prayers, and that doing so violates the United States constitution?

Political & Religious Controversy 1 Comment

Religion as Reality T.V.: What Will It Mean for Online Ordination?

May 7th, 2013

What would it be like to peer, with a mere flick of the remote control, into the lives of a family of Orthodox Jews living in Queens, New York? Perhaps you would like to catch a behind-the-scenes glimpse of secret Mormon temple ceremonies, or even the spell-ca

Progressive Spirituality Leave a Comment

Gandalf to “Marry” Captain Picard, But Will it be Via Online Ordination?

March 26th, 2013

Two of the stage and film’s most venerable actors—Sirs Ian McKellen and Patrick Stewart—will be adding a new dimension to their relationship very soon. McKellen, who plays Magneto in the X-Men films and the wizard Gandalf in the Lord of the Rings films,

Celebrity Ministers 1 Comment

The Universal Life Church proudly welcomes all who feel called to get ordained, regardless of creed. We enable all faiths; Christian, Jewish, Mormon, Muslim, Pagan, Wiccan, Atheist – and more – to join our growing non-denominational congregation. Underlying everything we do is a simple core belief: that we are all children of the same universe.

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