Why I Became Ordained By The Ulc

[Reverend Boony]

MorganaA: This is Rev. Jonathan David Marshall. You might want to go to www.freewebs.com and get a website. This is what I've done for my church, because of (everything) you said in your post. For more information about me, please go to www.freewebs.com/revjonathan and click on profile. Hope this gives you some "ideas"?

Your Friend,

Rev. Jonathan

Thanks reverand jonathan.

I took your advice and was able to set up my own ministry there as well.

Blessed be.

[Reverend Boony]

I finally found my ordination date. August 1998. Almost 9 years ago. Wow.

So why? At the time it was the "cheesiest way possible." I'm pagan, though my beliefs don't fit into any small, tiny box. I don't think anyones really do. I like the ULC ordination because it helps me to feel empowered, even though paper or not, it's your words and beliefs that sell your credibility, not the piece of paper. I'd like to be able to perform legal weddings here in Ontario, Canada but for the time being, it'll all be good.

"No day but today" - Rent

Merry meet Reverend Phoenix.

Is there a reason why your unable to perform your ceremonial duties ?

I applied yesterday to be ordained because my youngest sister has asked me to officiate her wedding this summer. What an honor! And what a decision.

Last year a friend of a friend got married, and she had her brother, who became ordained online to do so, officiate. I remember thinking at the time - whaaa??? And I must admit, I laughed about it and thought it was crazy. And then yesterday morning I was asked to do my sister's wedding.

You know what they say - you never know until it happens to you. I wasn't prepared for how torn I would feel about doing this! I am a follower of God, a non-denominational Christian, but not well versed in the bible, not a regular church goer, and often struggle and falter in my faith. I have good values and Jesus in my heart, but didn't feel "good enough" to become ordained, having the "old school" way of thinking that I have not earned the right to become a minister.

So what an unexpected struggle I had in my heart yesterday. In recent years I've felt my bond with God and what I do to keep that bond strong grow more important to me, and felt that something bigger, or important was trying to come through in my life. I know without a doubt that becoming ordained is a step on the right path for me.

I have no intentions of starting a church, or having followers. And to my surprise it's way more than just officiating my sister's wedding - it's a big step into the unknown!!

Of course, I have to be officially ordained first - at this point I still haven't received an email confirmation from ULC.

Merry meet Mindy.

It would seem to me that you do indeed have the heart of a minister and I look forward to when youll have the tile of reverend.

Merry part and blessed be.

My purpose for becoming Ordained on-line is mostly because I KNOW that I have been called to serve...but maybe not in a specified church.

I had become a Mens Minister and Childrens Minister/ Mentor and was working towards eventually becoming ordained in our church...but it seemed that the more involved I became...the worse the backstabbing and so called politics would become.

I have a belief that our country and even the World is heading into a terrible place. Morailty, Values, tradition and even common sense is on the decline. In a country that more then 80% of the population claims to be Christian...it seems VERY few of us know or remember what that means!

We have Christian pastors and churches that are not only accepting of the gay lifestyle...but they are actually supporting this, despite the chosen lifestyle being an abomination to the Word of God.

Christian families are standing by while our public schools are using our public tax dollars to build "showers" for Muslim children to wash their feet as part of their religious "prayer"...Yet, our children are not allowed to recite the Pledge of Allegence because it contains the word God!

The harder and harder out politicians try to please the "special" minorities...The more and more we destroy the very morals and values that our country was founded upon!

It is time...past time to return to "supper time". Right and Wrong...Taking responsibility for our own lives and that of our children...time to QUIT crying about the hardships of your past...instead concentrate on today and work toward tomorrow!

Merry meet criley.

While I disagree with on the subject of the homosexual community, I must admit that you have intrigued me with this information concerning the muslim children.

Would you please supply a link so that I may read about this for myself ?

Thank you.

Merry part and blessed be.

Don't know if I already posted but...I joined because I felt that's what She wanted from me.....

Merry meet Reverend Fred.

May I ask who "she" is ?

Because I know of no church willing to admit, train, and ordain a 50 year old poor crippled lesbian who is too much a mystic for Unitarians, too liberal for everyone else, and who already comes with her own followers (I didn't recruit them, they just accreted). That's "too old", "too poor to pay for seminary", "too disabled and looks too funny", "wrong gender", "wrong orientation", "theologically way too weird", and "looks like a prepackaged schism" all wrapped up in one.

The ULC is about the only taker for that combination.

Merry meet and welcome.

[liz]

To meet the needs of others that can't be met through conventional means.

[inverse_blue]

If you would really want to know why... I will tell you....

This is about love; not love for the world or things that exist, but love for people and their spirit...

I have spent many years in college, and many years in prison...

The things that I have lived though allow me to be good at helping other people who have been in similar situations, as well as those who have not.

I love all of you; and I don't care about who you are, or what you have done, or who you may think you are, or who you may think that I might think that you are.

We are all human, we are all loved by our higher power(s).

I love you too...

You can feel this love...

You can choose to embrace it; or you can choose to not let it concern you; or you can choose to ignore it, and allow it to let it eat you up forever...

This can destroy people's lives.

This is your decision...

You have rights, we all have rights; we as people deserve certain things, and you are entitled to them; no matter who you are, or who you may think you are.

That is why I am here... Why God let me be here... (We give thanks and praises)

To show you...

To help you see what makes you understand all of this...

You see, everyone knows everything; we just don't know that we posess that knowledge yet...

This is what I call universal truth.

That is why I feel so welcome here.

I'm so thankful that I have been enabled with these tools, and the legal proof; to show how, and to allow people to believe in me; to grant me that one step, into their hearts.

Thank you, ULC.

Rev Levi Cartwright

[FREEDHEART]

Hi everyone, I became an ordained minister to help others and to repay God for all he has done for me over the past few years. In 2001 I was diagnose with a stage three cancer and given 3-4 years to live after the operation to remove the infected area and testing the doctors were amazed the cancer had not spread, all they said is you must live right. If you take a little time each day to God things will work out,there is so much more to tell you and others but I will post them later I don't want to make a book out of this. Thanks to all for a great place like the ULC that makes it eazy to DO WHAT IS RIGHT

[Fawzo]

Hi everyone, I became an ordained minister to help others and to repay God for all he has done for me over the past few years. In 2001 I was diagnose with a stage three cancer and given 3-4 years to live after the operation to remove the infected area and testing the doctors were amazed the cancer had not spread, all they said is you must live right. If you take a little time each day to God things will work out,there is so much more to tell you and others but I will post them later I don't want to make a book out of this. Thanks to all for a great place like the ULC that makes it eazy to DO WHAT IS RIGHT

Welcome aboard!

[Alan B.]

This blurb is more about, how I became a ULC Minster, and then my acceptance of being part of ULC.

I read about ULC on another forum.

I was curious and checked out the site.

I was surprized to find out how easy it

was to be ordained. Then I went to the

forum and asked a question; I think it

was about alternative religions. I began

to slowly learn that there were many

different religions and non-religions

represented. Being a believer in Meta-

physics, I believe that I was drawn to

the ULC for a purpose. Being part of

such a diverse group of multiple,

inter-faiths is an enriching experience.

To serve as a ULC Minister is a privilege.

" Do That Which Is Right" is not a hard philosophy to live by; although it could be challenging to those who believe that only their religious way is right

I would agree with what you said. Being ordained by the ULC is a priviledge indeed and one I hope we are all happy to have. For a long time I have searched for a place where people can be open and honest about the different faiths and I look to have finaly found it. It is an honor to be able to tell people I am ordained through the ULC and know that with all your help we might be able to make a difference when its needed most.

[Alan B.]

All too often people are turned away by Clergy because they are "not of the faith" or they don't go to the right church, or they are Wiccans, or Pagans or Atheists. They are denied church weddings, christenings and other ceremonies that "People of Faith" i.e. Christian, Jewish, Muslim Hindu or other mainstream religions enjoy without a second thought. Sometimes they simply need an ear for thier troubles or a word of consolation or a recommendation on where to get needed help. I chose to become ordained as a non-denominational minister to have the ability to do these things for those who could find help nowhere else. I am also able to perform as a Deist minister, following my own beliefs and the beliefs of many like me. One day I hope to build a chapel where even an Atheist can sit comfortably next to a Believer in fellowship despite their differences in belief.

It is inspiring to read this post from you Rev. Joe. What you say is very true and it was clear when my wife and I were trying to get married that this problem was the main thing that made finding a minister a problem. We are of Pagan faith and finding a minister to perform our marriage, especialy one legaly recognized by the state, was a problem. Many would refuse because we were not of the same faith as them, and it is painful. So while I have always felt a need to help others and a call as a priest, it was then that I knew what I had to to. It took me time to find the ULC and become ordained, but I am happy that I did. Now I can be legaly recognized with a little more work by Nevada to perform marriages for people of all faiths. My goal is to provide spiritual council and services to anyone who needs them. I love learning more about other faiths, especialy since I was raised as a Roman Catholic and have seen the prejiduce some people can hold. Someday I hope that I might be able to establish a church/temple for the same reason as yourself, so that all may feel welcome and safe. May you find a course that will lead you to such success and happiness. -Rev. Alan

[smblkc]

Good day, everyone!

I am brand new to the forums, and just received the "official" email stating that I have been recorded in the church records today. I must admit that I have never in a million years had ever thought that I would actually become ordained. Frankly, I am Jewish (I refer to it as "by pride and not faith," meaning that I am proud of my heritage but I am essentially agnostic in belief).

The reasons that I became ordained is, as a lot of others here, fairly unique. The first reason, frankly, is because I wanted to show my significant other that we can indeed be ordained and that there are organizations that will accept us. To clarify, my significant other, Lisa, is Wiccan. While I have stumbled upon quite a bit of anti-Semitism in my fairly short life thus far, she has had to endure ridicule from those more narrow-minded than we would like. As a note, she, too, has just received her ordination confirmation, and hopes to put it to good use as she progresses in the medical field and as she begins working in the hospice environment

Secondly, I do have friends of various backgrounds - straight, gay, Catholic, Christian, Muslim and, of course, Wiccan - and that I feel that an ordainment that doesn't require me to necessarily choose sides, so to speak, may prove beneficial to their spiritual well-being or needs. I might be off course for thinking that, as it may prove difficult since I am not spiritual. But, maybe through this experience, I will develop a sense of spirituality that suits me.

It is my belief that, regardless of whether I agree with an individual's religion or not, he or she has the inalienable right to practice it. The fact that ULC and, I would assume, a good bulk (or hopefully all) of the other ordained members readily accept this philosophy as well is very refreshing.

Lastly, as a former EMT, police officer and service disabled state security officer, I have protected the safety and physical well-being of countless individuals. Now I might be able to help someone on some different level.

Sorry for being long-winded.

Stephen

Edited August 26, 2008 by smblkc

[bsawtelle]

Good day, everyone!

Lastly, as a former EMT, police officer and service disabled state security officer, I have protected the safety and physical well-being of countless individuals. Now I might be able to help someone on some different level.

Stephen

Welcome and Bless You for your past service to our nation.

[Cascadia]

There are many reasons when I stumbled upon the ULC site that I said "go for it." The clarifying one: No charge. Free is good. Not saying that was the basis of the decision, but at the end of the day when you can really say "I did it because I really had nothing to lose and everything to gain."

Second, since I am a Druid, there are very few organized groups, and those that are seem to be more interested in recreating the Lord of the Rings (or just singing and dancing) instead of contemplative reflection and learning to be one with the world. I have long determined that the mountains are my cathedral, the trees my priests, the wind my choir, the river my baptismal font, and the earth my pew. I looked into joining the ADF, a Druid organization with a branch here in the Phoenix Area but decided against it after seeing videos of their rites (like I said above, more interested in singing and dancing). I've also considered attending a Universal Unitarian church here in the valley, and I may still do so to get the 'social' aspect in. However, getting myself willed to do such a thing is easier said than done. For my entire life I have not felt welcome with the blindly led congregations and shunned the ignorance of organized religion. Only recently have I felt that something was missing in addition to my own studies of my adopted rites.

So, sitting here staring at the ULC website with, like I said above, nothing to lose and everything to gain, I went for it. I admit afterward I snickered thinking "Heh, here I am someone who has railed against organized religion for the longest time just requested to be ordained!"

Thats when the thought train left the station. My younger brother is getting married in the next few years, and he wants me to be part of his wedding. Maybe I can truly be a part of his wedding by officiating it, saving him the cost of having to hunt down a clergy.

I've also been working on a hand-written, leather-bound collection of what my beliefs are. My other problem with joining a group such as the ADF or UU is that I've thought about my beliefs long and hard, and they may not reflect what the group has decided. By becoming an ordained minister, I can write them out and if someone else agrees with them then we can discuss them in length and work on them together. I'm not obligated, nor is anyone else. I can help guide those pagans that are like myself, without a congregation that understands.

Finally, I did two years of work with the Red Cross, and eventually will do so again, this time being able to offer my services to those who need them.

The thought did cross my mind of perhaps making some extra income presiding over ceremonies, but in the long run it won't be an advertised thing. If someone asks, then I certainly will take the honor.

Although, I'm wondering how they're going to react at work when/if I alter my signature in my email?

I'm still waiting on my approval and certifications, but I'm sure there will be no problems.

- Brad

[smblkc]

There are many reasons when I stumbled upon the ULC site that I said "go for it." The clarifying one: No charge. Free is good. Not saying that was the basis of the decision, but at the end of the day when you can really say "I did it because I really had nothing to lose and everything to gain."

Second, since I am a Druid, there are very few organized groups, and those that are seem to be more interested in recreating the Lord of the Rings (or just singing and dancing) instead of contemplative reflection and learning to be one with the world. I have long determined that the mountains are my cathedral, the trees my priests, the wind my choir, the river my baptismal font, and the earth my pew. I looked into joining the ADF, a Druid organization with a branch here in the Phoenix Area but decided against it after seeing videos of their rites (like I said above, more interested in singing and dancing). I've also considered attending a Universal Unitarian church here in the valley, and I may still do so to get the 'social' aspect in. However, getting myself willed to do such a thing is easier said than done. For my entire life I have not felt welcome with the blindly led congregations and shunned the ignorance of organized religion. Only recently have I felt that something was missing in addition to my own studies of my adopted rites.

So, sitting here staring at the ULC website with, like I said above, nothing to lose and everything to gain, I went for it. I admit afterward I snickered thinking "Heh, here I am someone who has railed against organized religion for the longest time just requested to be ordained!"

Thats when the thought train left the station. My younger brother is getting married in the next few years, and he wants me to be part of his wedding. Maybe I can truly be a part of his wedding by officiating it, saving him the cost of having to hunt down a clergy.

I've also been working on a hand-written, leather-bound collection of what my beliefs are. My other problem with joining a group such as the ADF or UU is that I've thought about my beliefs long and hard, and they may not reflect what the group has decided. By becoming an ordained minister, I can write them out and if someone else agrees with them then we can discuss them in length and work on them together. I'm not obligated, nor is anyone else. I can help guide those pagans that are like myself, without a congregation that understands.

Finally, I did two years of work with the Red Cross, and eventually will do so again, this time being able to offer my services to those who need them.

The thought did cross my mind of perhaps making some extra income presiding over ceremonies, but in the long run it won't be an advertised thing. If someone asks, then I certainly will take the honor.

Although, I'm wondering how they're going to react at work when/if I alter my signature in my email?

I'm still waiting on my approval and certifications, but I'm sure there will be no problems.

- Brad

Welcome to the boards! There are numerous people of numerous beliefs here, so feel as though you are amongst friends here.....

[rev.supermommy]

Well now, I can't resist the temptation to put my two cents worth in on this post.

My mother was taken from me quite violently when I was very young. I blamed God. I hated God and anyone who tried to convince me that it wasnt his fault...that it was just a natural part of life.

Fast forward to May of 2008. My 15 month old son was mauled by a neighbors pit bull and almost didnt make it. His injuryies were so sevear that I truly didnt think he would be okay. While in the hospital..I stayed for the whole tim he was there, the hospital minister came and prayed with me and told me that he would be protected by God. He has since made a full recovery and only has some scars to show for it.

I didnt realize how much I wanted to be a part of helping people through their hardest and most joyous times. I wanted to preform marriages so I looked on the web and found the other ULC. I got ordained by them. I joined their forum. I have never recieved a hi or hello on any post there. Then when I tried to register to officait marriages in my county and was rejected, I posted about that, I sent p. messages to the admin, i tried to call the # they had listed in their contactus section. Nothing...no response but a quick note from 2 pple. One....he was very helpful and truly seemed to care...but he wasnt a ULC minister. He just watches these sites to offer guidence to ministers. Wonderful man he was. But I felt that noone else really cared. So I call information and found the # for the real ULC headquarters in Modesto. I spoke with the president there and he was very helpful and truly seemed to care. He gave me this website and I checked i out and choose to be ordaine thru it. Icalled larter that day and everyone proved tobe most helpful and caring. I am truly happy to be a part of this community. Rev.Jen

[carpenter]

This topic is for people who want to share why they've become an ordained minister. (Linked from the October 2005 ULC Online Newsletter)

We can start here. Maybe we'll learn a little something about each other that was previously unknown.

To be honest, I just like reading the different views of people. To try to see behind the words has been fun for me, and has helped me to understand more why I know what trueth is! I really like the ULC and the freedom it lets us all share. To be in bondage with our beliefs is a sad thing to be in. Carpenter

[Rev. Calli]

Well now, I can't resist the temptation to put my two cents worth in on this post.

My mother was taken from me quite violently when I was very young. I blamed God. I hated God and anyone who tried to convince me that it wasnt his fault...that it was just a natural part of life.

Fast forward to May of 2008. My 15 month old son was mauled by a neighbors pit bull and almost didnt make it. His injuryies were so sevear that I truly didnt think he would be okay. While in the hospital..I stayed for the whole tim he was there, the hospital minister came and prayed with me and told me that he would be protected by God. He has since made a full recovery and only has some scars to show for it.

I didnt realize how much I wanted to be a part of helping people through their hardest and most joyous times. I wanted to preform marriages so I looked on the web and found the other ULC. I got ordained by them. I joined their forum. I have never recieved a hi or hello on any post there. Then when I tried to register to officait marriages in my county and was rejected, I posted about that, I sent p. messages to the admin, i tried to call the # they had listed in their contactus section. Nothing...no response but a quick note from 2 pple. One....he was very helpful and truly seemed to care...but he wasnt a ULC minister. He just watches these sites to offer guidence to ministers. Wonderful man he was. But I felt that noone else really cared. So I call information and found the # for the real ULC headquarters in Modesto. I spoke with the president there and he was very helpful and truly seemed to care. He gave me this website and I checked i out and choose to be ordaine thru it. Icalled larter that day and everyone proved tobe most helpful and caring. I am truly happy to be a part of this community. Rev.Jen

Greetings to you my sister,

Glad to see you found us here. But you've made me blush.

In Christ's service,

Rev. Calli

[Brother Sean]

...Why...?

Because...

-I tend to ask questions that cause people, who are unaccustomed to thinking, into possibly considering the validity of belief systems that are in stark contrast to their accepted beliefs

-narrow-minded people sometimes require the validation that ordination carries with it

-Laws and legal recognition

-I am free to define, refine and form my own system of beliefs; therefore, who better than me to preach my own word

[The Right Reverend Blues]

I became ordained by The ULC because God wanted me to - although at the time I didn't know that. Some friends of mine wanted to get married and were having difficulty selecting someone to officiate due to the religious differences of their families. Becoming ordained and officiating for them seemed like the solution, so I became ordained. They wound up not getting married, and I never pursuied any type of ministry until recently. In truth, I had become so disconnected from faith that I believed myself to be an athiest for a number of years. Then God got through to me.

As I traveled the various paths of my existence, another path always paralleled the one that I traveled. This path was waiting for me, and I could have embarked upon it at any time, but I did not know it was there. It is the path that God has been guiding me to for almost 50 years. Ironically, this path only became visible to me after I started losing my eyesight. I do not know why God wants an old, sick, half-blind cripple doing His work, but he tends to work in mysterious ways!

So, here I am.

[DavidUK]

As a child, I received Jesus Christ as my Lord & Savior, I was raised in a family in the Southern Baptists & Pentacostla churches. I was the hell raiser when I was young, had to be God & Mom's prayers, that I made it through my teenager years, alive.

I could never understand the thinking: Jesus died on the cross for our sins. Then in another breath they would curse someone because of the color or because they're in love with someone of the same sex, but Jesus died for all of mankind's sins.

I turned my back on Jesus for a while, what kind of loving God would act like that, until it got through my skull, it wasn't God saying that, it was ignorant people who uses God name to push their agendas.

Which leads me to being a ordained minister:

I am Gay, I've seen friends die or be in the hospital, and the person they have shared their lives with couldn't visit them, because they weren't married or in a Holy Union. I believe Jesus Christ has been with me, through my life, to get me to this point to be a minister, to do Holy Unions & Weddings for my family in the Gay community, a calling to do so.

We shall see, as I told the church when I bacame ordained, I won't put a price on God or a persons spirituallity.

I'll never charge a cent to see that anyone of legal age and is allowed to marry, gets married.

Life is too short to not be with the one you love.

As it's written in the book of Matthew 22: 36-40 Jesus gave us two commandments, to love God the Father with all of our hearts, and love you neighbor, as you would love yourself. When you do this, you have fulfilled the other commandments.

That's the story...

A wonderful, sensitive and very moving posting. Thank you for sharing this with us all.

As a child, I received Jesus Christ as my Lord & Savior, I was raised in a family in the Southern Baptists & Pentacostla churches. I was the hell raiser when I was young, had to be God & Mom's prayers, that I made it through my teenager years, alive.

I could never understand the thinking: Jesus died on the cross for our sins. Then in another breath they would curse someone because of the color or because they're in love with someone of the same sex, but Jesus died for all of mankind's sins.

I turned my back on Jesus for a while, what kind of loving God would act like that, until it got through my skull, it wasn't God saying that, it was ignorant people who uses God name to push their agendas.

Which leads me to being a ordained minister:

I am Gay, I've seen friends die or be in the hospital, and the person they have shared their lives with couldn't visit them, because they weren't married or in a Holy Union. I believe Jesus Christ has been with me, through my life, to get me to this point to be a minister, to do Holy Unions & Weddings for my family in the Gay community, a calling to do so.

We shall see, as I told the church when I bacame ordained, I won't put a price on God or a persons spirituallity.

I'll never charge a cent to see that anyone of legal age and is allowed to marry, gets married.

Life is too short to not be with the one you love.

As it's written in the book of Matthew 22: 36-40 Jesus gave us two commandments, to love God the Father with all of our hearts, and love you neighbor, as you would love yourself. When you do this, you have fulfilled the other commandments.

That's the story...

A wonderful sensitive and very moving posting. Thank you for sharing this with us all.

Edited September 26, 2008 by DavidUK

[revsteven34]

Greetings All:

I’m sure that my story will be the most “far fetched” or otherwise an (seemingly) unbelievable one posted on this forum – now and forever. I’m also sure that many who reads this post will probably ask themselves how someone “like me” could possibly have God in his life – let alone claim to be called to service by God.

My name is JJ Harper, Imperial Wizard of the American White Knights of the Ku Klux Klan, Inc.

Since childhood, I’ve believed in the Primitive Baptist doctrine (Hard Shell). For those of you unfamiliar with this doctrine, I will give a brief explanation. The main differences between us and other denominations (in the realm of Baptists) is basically two fold. First, we are firm believers in “foreordination” or “predestination,” which God speaks of throughout the bible. Secondly, we believe that no one (human beings) has the power to save him or herself. In other words, we don’t believe that anyone can “let God” do anything. I know you’ve all heard that in almost every “liberal” sermon. Most “Missionary Baptist” (commonly known as Southern Baptist) pastors preach: “Let God save you” or “Let God come into your life.” Instead we believe that God first “accepted” us. The only thing we as humans have the power to do is to admit that to ourselves. Not one drop of Christ’s precious blood was wasted on anyone that might choose not to “accept” him! Amen!

There I go – preaching again. Anyhow, I’ll move on. I first felt called to the ministry in 1984. I was going through basic training for the U.S. Army. After completing “Basic,” I dismissed that calling as nothing more than realizing that I truly needed God to get me through those difficult times. That feeling never left me, however I always found an excuse or reason to deny the facts. After serving 4 years in Military Intelligence, I quit the army and went back to finish my college degree in electronics engineering. I graduated from GA Southern University in 1990.

I fell in love in 1991. I married her in 1995. I’m still married to her today. We attended a Primitive Baptist church for several years after that. During that time, a friend of mine drove his car into a corn combine (unintentionally). Needless to say, he was hurt pretty badly. He survived after spending several months in the hospital. Soon after he recovered from that experience, he claimed that what he went through was a miracle – and that his life was spared by God for a higher purpose. He also knew God, but never felt this “calling.” I (as well as others) questioned his motive(s) for wanting to preach the Gospel. I figured that he was feeling the same way I did during my bout with basic training. He knew that God had given him another chance in life. He saw the power of prayer – not only his, but from others.

Soon he was ordained (first by God, so he claims) by the Elders which make up a division of the Primitive Baptist Association. Before long, our local church called him to pastor our church. He has been there now for about 6 years. After his first year as our pastor, I began to notice his lack (or desire) of interest concerning his duties in the pulpit. His studies weekend, therefore his sermons were shortened and almost confusing to us.

I told him of my experiences concerning being called to preach. I asked him (many times) if it was possible that he was really not called by God to preach but only a result of his renewed dedication to God after realizing His power through “troubled waters.” He’s always assured me that he feels that his calling was (is) genuine. Even so, his “works” (until this day) doesn’t fit with the faith he proclaims to have.

That ordeal made me question myself and God’s calling for me to preach His word even more. I didn’t (don’t) want to enter into the ministry as anything less than a personal command from God. Besides that fact, I’ve never felt worthy of such a position in the least! I still feel unworthy.

So what made me “change my mind?” God changed it for me. In other words, I finally realized that the ministry wasn’t going to be something I desired to do – it was something I was TOLD to do!

I joined the Klan a few years ago. When I did, I realized that (for the most part) the Klan had turned into nothing more than “good-ole-boy” groups in America who need (needed) their own back yards cleaned up before they spewed venom at our adversaries. And… I’m sure that most who read this post will probably feel the same about the American White Knights and myself. Be that as it may, I quickly began making enemies with members of most popular Klan organizations (unintentionally). They didn’t like my way of doing things, and they surely didn’t care what I thought spiritually. I began questioning some of the higher echelon members about their religious beliefs, and not one could offer any scriptural reasoning or justification for membership within the KKK.

This bothered me greatly. Soon, I found myself answering scriptural questions of many. Before long, my mind was spending more time in scripture than it had ever been exposed to! People wanted answers. I didn’t have them. It wasn’t long before questions from others made me realize my calling.

I will never know “all the answers” as long as I’m still on this earth, but with God’s continued support – I will continue to learn more and more each day.

I’m no longer a member of the Primitive Baptist church – I spoke of earlier. Most churches (people) have become too liberal minded (spiritually) to really understand anything God would have them to know. Instead, most go to church (today) for reasons other than those of God.

Thank you for listening.

In Christ’s Name, and for His sake – alone,

Elder JJ Harper, IW

AWKKKK, Inc.

[BpCorey]

I did it for the partys! free food and drinks! after the ceremony I always get invited to the party after it.