How do you become a wedding minister

[Morton]

Are you saying that all he does are weddings? Or he only does them on weekends and holidays because he makes so much? Weddings are only held on weekends and holidays so there's very little, if any, weekday money to be made in that line of work. As Andun said, and I also mentioned earlier, weddings are quite seasonal and very unpredictable. Not something you would want to count on as your primary source of income. As a part-time job though, it's great.

Yup, all he does is weddings. He is single and has no kids though.

[Shakes Spear]

I’m not ignorant about anything...

Ahhh...to be young and naive again...

The people paying for these marriages deserve a real priest. Someone who has trained and knows what they are doing.

Do you mean the sexual predators that prey upon unsuspecting youths? Or the nutjob wackos that grace the airwaves begging for money? Or perhaps you're referring to any one of a number of snake-oil salesmen running around spreading their vitrol to anyone helpless enough to listen? Yeah, they're definitely more qualified!

They will hopefully spend the rest of their lives together and the thought that the most important words they will ever speak follow the utterances of a charlatan like you fills me with the disgust. Vows are sacred, they are supposed to mean something!

That my weekend activities fill you with disgust makes me all warm and fuzzy! Words are just words, and if the couples do spend the rest of their lives together it will have everything to do with their actions and nothing to do with their "sacred vows".

You must really get frothy when you see the Christmas decorations go up at the end of October! Ask those same friends if they know the "reason for the season". Sorry to burst your bubble, but Christmas and churches here are nothing more than symbols of western style, just like Levis and cheeseburgers. If you feel that strongly about your faith, I would suggest living in Florida, or are you over here hoping to convert some poor hapless folks to your cult? Ahhh...the worst kind of God freaks!

[NorthByNorthwest]

Those previous spam posts indicating that all wanna-be wedding ministers need to pay their "training dues" to a longtime Christian expat minister, Kenny Joseph. It's a very Japanese-like scam. Oh, and if he knows who you are and don't keep paying out, he'll try and get you turned in. REAP or RAPE? Note how the meaning of the acronym conveniently changes: Reinforcing Evangelists and Aiding Pastors (REAP) to Registry of Emergency Preachers (REAP). Realistic Extortionary Acts and Practices (REAP).

http://www.google.com/search?sourcei...ec0a8ac5f5a7a2

http://kennyjoseph.com/Articles/Visa.htm

Associate Missionary Process

Dear Friend

We understand that you would like REAP mission to sponsor you as an associate missionary to Japan. Please go over the conditions for Associate Missionary membership.

*Please note that accommodation in Japan i.e. apartment, house etc... are your own responsibility and we only provide sponsorship!

Conditions for REAP Associate Missionary Membership

1. Fill out the application from immigration, one for each member of your family after reading and approving of REAP's Principles and Practices.
2. A letter from the applicant to REAP Mission requesting Associate missionary affiliation, including all evidence of qualification as a missionary; resume, bio-data, Certificates from Bible school, seminary and ordination.
3. Letter sent from Japan to USA REAP Board of Directors Chairman for approval.
4. USA REAP Board of Director Chairman writes a letter of Guarantee and dispatch for applicant to immigration office in Tokyo.
5. Japan REAP Mission writes Letter of Guarantee to immigration office.
6. Documents taken to Tokyo Immigration Office to get "Certificate of Eligibility (C.E.)."
7. Applicant takes C.E. to another country to get a 5 year (60 months) multiple entry visa (within 24 hours) from the Japanese Embassy there.
8. Applicant can then reenter Japan.
9. A non-refundable donation _______yen for the father, _______yen wife and _______yen each child are payable to REAP Mission prior to No. 3 above. In addition all expenses, postage, telephone, fax, travel etc. will be added as well.
10. Each family member must have a deposit with REAP Mission _______yen for a one way return flight to their homeland at normal, not discount fare, (immediately after No. 8)
11. A "special successful completion" donation (an advance of the tithe for one year) to REAP Mission (after No. 10) is received as a one year (12 month) advance of a tithe of _______yen.
12. After this first year, each REAP Associate Missionary promises to continue to tithe the tithe of their monthly income _______yen to REAP Mission in Japan, as long as their visa lasts and they're under the REAP Associate umbrella.
13. When your visa expires after one or three years and you want REAP to continue to sponsor you you need to reapply to extend the visa two months before expiration. This requires a _______yen donation to REAP Mission.

Essential Requirements for Applying for Visas for Missionaries to Japan

1. (Estimated time up to the receipt of the visa in Japan is about one month and in some cases it may be two months or more, after that please allow for administration in your home country-this is according to information from the immigration office in Tokyo).
2. Application for Certificate of Eligibility: form parts 1 & 2.
3. Two passport photographs (4cms x 3cms) one of which should be attached to the form.#
4. A statement from the mission in the home country giving full authority to the representative to act on their behalf. *
5. Means of identification of the applicants representative (e.g.; alien registration certificate).
6. Letter of guarantee (as previously stated).
7. Curriculum Vitae: in the case of a couple a wife' Curriculum Vitae is also required (e.g.; Bible School, marriage).#
8. Documented evidence of qualification and experience of the work certificate of ordination, graduation report form the Bible school and statement of work presently involved in.#
9. A statement from the home office of the mission concerning the nature and duration of the work in Japan and the designation of the person in the mission. *
10. A statement concerning religious beliefs, activities, history etc. of the mission. *
11. Copy of documents of the legal identity of the mission, constitution etc.
12. Stamped and addressed envelope for the reply from immigration.
13. Any other forms or information which the immigration office may ask for.

Additions for Families

14. A Birth Certificate for each child.#
15. The necessary form for dependents which is obtainable from the Immigration office.
16. For spouses: a) if a wife comes as a dependent then a Wedding Certificate and the form referred to in No. 14 is sufficient. in this case their status is not that of a "missionary." b) If the wife comes as a missionary then the Bible School documentation etc. is necessary. In this case documents referred to in No. 8 are also required. These can however be prepared and present for the couple.

Notes
1. All documents must be originals (except for those in No. 8)
2. All letters and documents must be translated into Japanese and presented together with the originals.

No. 3, 8, 9 (*) must be provided by the Home Office, No.2, 6, 7 & 13 (#) must be provided by the missionary.

For additional information please contact Kenny Joseph at REAPjapan1@aol.com

One reason for the amounts of money being left blank is so that they are trying to avoid any possibility of being accused of taking in commercial revenue. Similar to the reasons why Buddhist temples are 'outraged' at AEON (the retailer) for publishing set prices for funeral prices and lucrative practices like posthumous names: see JT article by Phil Brasor -- http://search.japantimes.co.jp/cgi-b...0101017pb.html

[NorthByNorthwest]

http://archive.metropolis.co.jp/toky...usinessinc.htm

WORK IN JAPAN
A Calling For Foreigners

In June this column looked at the booming demand for foreign celebrants and preachers at Christian weddings. But a new law will crack down on foreigners playing preachers, thanks in part to Rev. Kenny Joseph, President of the Japan Association of Preachers and Ministers (JAPAM). The new law is clear: "Anyone engaging in any activity involving the management of business or involving remuneration other than that permitted by his status of residence without obtaining permission may be subject to punishment." That punishment could be a \300,000 fine and/or three years in prison and expulsion from Japan. Up to now, those expelled could return to Japan in one year. The new law makes it five. This shouldn' be a problem, Rev. Joseph told Hilary Hinds Kitasei, as he's happy to help you get the credentials you need.


Rev. Kenny Joseph: It is illegal to officiate at a Christian wedding without a proper visa
Photo by Mitchell Coster

If there's no legal requirement in Japan that weddings must be officiated by ordained ministers, why does anyone need special credentials to conduct them?
The problem comes when a foreigner engages in any work for pay that is not included in his visa provisions. It means that if the word shukyo (religious mission) is not printed on your alien registration card you cannot conduct a religious, sacred activity such as officiating at Christian weddings. They are 100% religious sacraments - not cultural - with two hymns, a sermon, two prayers, 15 Bible verses, a solemn proclamation and a benediction.

How can someone get the right credentials?
The JAPAM nationwide network of veteran missionaries in Sapporo, Sendai, Nojiri, Tokyo, Osaka, Fukuoka and Naha interviews prospective preachers. We give them a qualifying certificate if they pass a rigid, 10-point oral exam. Although they can show this certificate to the wedding chapel or company, this in itself does not change their visa status. What they must do is leave Japan, go on to an approved Bible school or Christian college, and come back as a bona fide missionary. Another possible solution is to begin a correspondence course by email or regular mail from an accredited seminary like Trinity Seminary in Newburg, Indiana. This does not include phony diploma mills, usually in California, Arizona or Las Vegas. One major offender will sell a bogus minister's ordination certificate for $19, a fake PhD in Theology for $175, a tarot advisor diploma for $195, and a medical doctor's diploma for $300. Try taking that to Tokyo University Hospital and do brain surgery!

What is the difference between a minister, a preacher and a missionary?
A minister is an ordained, bona fide professional person of the Christian church, qualified to administrate a church and officiate at weddings, funerals, baptisms and communion. A preacher is a non-ordained layman, elder, deacon or "tent maker" who has some basic qualifications to substitute for a minister on occasion as needed. There are over 2000 Protestant ministers in Japan called missionaries. They're sent by their home churches or denominations to spread the Christian faith and assist the national church. But because their main duties fall on Sunday mornings, they can't answer calls to officiate at weddings, which are usually held on Saturdays, Sundays and holidays, the best times for the invited guests to attend.

So what is the solution?
Missionaries who pastor a church in Japan need to train Japanese assistants to substitute for them on some Sunday mornings, freeing them to answer the invitations to do chapel weddings. Our office got six calls from six bridal companies for a minister on one Sunday. We now have a Registry of Emergency Preachers (REAP). We hope many retired missionaries and their "made in Japan" children can return to do this ministry.

Rev. Joseph is happy to respond to inquiries by fax (03-3922-7655) or by email: REAPJapan1@aol.com

Here's a thought. Has anyone been charged, fined and/or deported for moonlighting as a wedding minister? I think not.

[Gnosis Essene]

Hi everyone

could any one tell me how and what I need to do to become a wedding minister here in Tokyo and kanagawa.
I already have a job here but im interested in become a wedding minister during the weekend.

Does anyone know how I can do this?
Where do I go to look?
Or any professional companies that deal with this?
Im White and from the UK

Thank you
James

Christian churches in Japan ...
or
Rev. Kenny Joseph - Tokyo (has his own registered church)
Yen 30,000 for the ordination,
study not included -- neither visa !
* Think or swim !

[Gnosis Essene]

　I’m not ignorant about anything, so let’s get that perfectly clear. I am so utterly sickened by the likes of you and your buddies, I didn’t want to ruin a perfectly good Sunday. My apparent good wish was a sarcastic jibe, understand? I’ll say it one more time, nice and slowly so you can understand. People that masquerade as priests are rats. The people paying for these marriages deserve a real priest. Someone who has trained and knows what they are doing. They will hopefully spend the rest of their lives together and the thought that the most important words they will ever speak follow the utterances of a charlatan like you fills me with the disgust. Vows are sacred, they are supposed to mean something! I asked around a bit about how Japanese people would react to having an English teacher officiate at their wedding, and they wern't well impressed at the thought.

*** People that masquerade as priests are rats ! ***
Invest, study all religions, acquire knowledge and get the correct visa !
Study and obey to the canon of your registered religion/church.
Thinking of not getting caught ?
Wrong, many get caught in fact !
Ora et labora - Oderint dum metuant.

[ozzijp]

Ahhh...to be young and naive again...

Do you mean the sexual predators that prey upon unsuspecting youths? Or the nutjob wackos that grace the airwaves begging for money? Or perhaps you're referring to any one of a number of snake-oil salesmen running around spreading their vitrol to anyone helpless enough to listen? Yeah, they're definitely more qualified!

That my weekend activities fill you with disgust makes me all warm and fuzzy! Words are just words, and if the couples do spend the rest of their lives together it will have everything to do with their actions and nothing to do with their "sacred vows".

You must really get frothy when you see the Christmas decorations go up at the end of October! Ask those same friends if they know the "reason for the season". Sorry to burst your bubble, but Christmas and churches here are nothing more than symbols of western style, just like Levis and cheeseburgers.

I hope this is not going to be considered copyright infringement (my apologies to my San Franciscan, DJ lovin', J-girl slaying friend, ) but I am going to give this a big "THIS!"
To be fair, I too am not a big fan fan of the "only on weekends" holy people, primarily because they always seem to end up owing me money but honestly happy12 (side note:i hope the "12" in your user name, doesn't mean a real age of 12), who would you leave your kids with?

[Chromedome]

CONGRATULATIONS AND WELCOME!

The Church of Spiritual Humanism is happy to inform you that your ordination request has been reviewed and approved, and you are now an officially ordained clergy member.

We are now offering our members ordination certificates, clergy wallet ID cards, blank certificates for various ceremonies, and "The Officiate's Manual" which contains lots of useful information for new clergy members. Many clergy members find these items useful when performing their religious services...

I'm now legal...

[Call_It_Like_Eye_See_It]

Not a lie! Not a hoax! Not a dream!

You, too, can be a wedding minister! I recently stumbled across the whole soliloquy needed to be a wedding minister! If you are interested, please PM me for details....

Yes, the secret is out! Anyone can do it, and make quite a bit of money from it - save the eithics for another thread!

Here is how the whole wedding minister speel starts....

Minasame, honjitsu wa, omedetou gozaimasu.

Bokushi no (your name) desu.

Douzo yoroshiku onegaishimasu.

Soredewa....

[thickmick]

Anyone work for these ?

[eb0li]

Not a lie! Not a hoax! Not a dream!

You, too, can be a wedding minister! I recently stumbled across the whole soliloquy needed to be a wedding minister! If you are interested, please PM me for details....

Yes, the secret is out! Anyone can do it, and make quite a bit of money from it - save the eithics for another thread!

Here is how the whole wedding minister speel starts....

Minasame, honjitsu wa, omedetou gozaimasu.

Bokushi no (your name) desu.

Douzo yoroshiku onegaishimasu.

Soredewa....

Everyone's a shark so congratulations on this day. ...

[SumoWrestler]

Is the wedding business for wedding pastors way down in possibilities now in Japan?

[Ken44]

Is the wedding business for wedding pastors way down in possibilities now in Japan?

A friend recommended me to one company and the pay was 9000 per wedding. However, there was often a lot of travel time between weddings since they were in different locations. The first might start at 10:00 at one chapel and the second 4:00 at another spot.

Like everything else the "wedding pastor" gig has seen better days but I do know about one guy that has cut out the middleman (wedding company) and is hired direct by the chapel. Supposedly he makes around 25,000 per wedding.

[SumoWrestler]

Thanks for your reply ken44.

Below URL is another discussion on weddings that is going on right now:

http://forum.gaijinpot.com/showthrea...g-Pastor/page2

[kurogane]

............he was one of the more conscientious ones.





I wonder what happened to that doucherat in Kyoto???

Can't remember his name, but he sure was a tw@t. Appalling Japanese skills, and a soulless huckster to boot.

[Lord of the Fries]

Try Murakami; they're crying out for ministers on peak days. They've just raised their rates, too.

[skippyrobobuns]

Is the wedding business for wedding pastors way down in possibilities now in Japan?

Just becaue of the demographics and increased competition, I have seen the number of weddings I do today, to, say 7 years ago, down by about half, all things being the same, however there are still places that have demand for pastors and pay well or at least better than the going rates in Tokyo.

PM me if you are interested in working in Nagano.

[Jed333]

I look down on all people who are not atheists. I can't help it. How can I respect someone who believes in fantasy? Now I know plenty of good people across the religious spectrum, and I agree with many of them on a variety of issues; however, knowing that they choose some mythology as a guiding principle in their lives lessens my respect for them. I respect their right to believe, I don't respect what they believe. I hate it when people go around saying that people should respect other religions. NO! You should respect their right to believe in some religion.

what a loser!

[NorthByNorthwest]

Sounds straightforward:

http://goo.gl/iBm7O

CELEBRANTS for weddings at hotel chapels, bridal halls. Pastor, Missionary, spouse or permanent visa holders. Christians are welcome. Areas: Shizuoka, Tochigi, Tokyo, Kanagawa, Chiba. Send resume to TMC. Fax: 042-359-0567 Email: tokyo-celebrant@tmc-tokyo.co.jp

[Mr. Ludd]

Evidently the above has gotten religion. Non-Christians were accepted a few years ago. Now it seems to be required.

[mavis]

Does anyone have any suggestions on where to buy vestments here in Japan, preferably Tokyo? A shop name and/or website would be ideal. Any help would be appreciated.