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When I was talking to my friend during the time my husband and I were considering not attending an institutional church and the reasons why she said, "I know what you are saying is true. I just consider it a good place to get married and buried." We laughed, but really how does that work? Who would you get to bury you?
Faith
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Who says you must have a preacher preach over your dead body? Funeral homes, etc. can provide the plot and see that you get put in it. Funerals as we know them today are really a big money scheme anyway. Check out some casket sites on the net and find that many things done today are not required by law. Burial can be fairly simple. In some areas you can still bury one yourself on private property as was done in the old days. Of course, we'd still need a Dr. to sign death certificate and such. The loved ones or friends can say anything they want or don't want. The big fancy funeral thing is just a man-made custom, and fairly recent, as my Mom can remember family burials without the use of a funeral home or a back-hoe! One doesn't even have to be embalmed unless you are having a public viewing. Think like the pilgrims. Just an idea.
Of course you can get married by the court, just to be legal. However, I've even seen information on the net that you don't have to register with the state to get married. A "preacher" isn't needed either. Just get hitched, with a couple of witnesses, at a marriage chapel if it feels more comfortable.
Where there is a will, there is always a way. Be creative. And check out local laws.
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Patti, I know many including good friends and also myself (who are not "ordained ministers")who have taken funerals so I know that there is nothing at all which restricts the taking of fumerals to "duly ordained clergy men"!
Furthermore, if we go to the N.T. there is no indication whatsoever that church leaders had anything at all to do with "presiding at" funerals!
Trust this helps and allays a commonly expressed fear when people first consider the "pros and cons" of house churches!
I'm glad you "stopped by"! Please come again and post comments or questions on any of these discussions!
Your servant for Jesus' sake, Bruce Woodford Norwich, Ontario, Canada
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just for the record I am technically ordained, I have a ministial fellowship card as an independent minister with the Apostolic World Christian Fellowship, and have not dropped the fellowship, since it really asks nothing of me, except for a donation yearly to keep my card current. It is convenient for me and for our little fellowship. I have performed a couple of weddings, and have another planned, I have lead 1 funeral for my brother, who also attended our home meetings. In Indiana, any member of any kind of clergy- be it wiccan, protestant, tree hugger with a collar-whatever, can perform a marriage ceremony. I agree that the title means little, but the convenience to us means a lot. I also agree and teach the same basic tenets of the faith as accepted by the AWCF, otherwise I could/would not hold their card. Fred
-------------------- Acts 2:38-The Seal of Salvation
Email this page to someone.
Just an idea.
