Did you know that in large cities in the United States, 50% or more of the weddings on any given weekend occur outside of the church? They happen at banquet halls, at golf courses, at private homes, in hotels, in museums, and in parks. Couples getting married hire all the best professionals to make this major life event happen - caterers, photographers, coordinators, etc. But when it comes to finding a wedding pastor or minister, most couples do not have a clue as to where to search. They call a church and the first question they are asked is "are you a member?"

For years, I performed weddings for people in my local church, and neglected to think that outsiders wanted and needed someone to help them make their day special. And when I found out that most wedding ministers willing to help unchurched couples were not Christian ministers, I almost got sick!

As Christian ministers, we have the greatest message in the world and yet we spend most of our time with the already convinced.

• What if you knew that couples wanted your help as an experienced pastor/minister?
• What if you knew that couples are eager to know what makes marriage work?
• What if you had couples tell you that they had never met a religious person they could relate to?
• What if you also got paid $350 to $600 for each ceremony?
• Still not convinced? Read "Pastor, Will You Help Us".

You can make a difference in ways that you never knew existed before in your ministry. Carefully read the information on this page and prayerfully consider becoming part of our national Wedding Pastors USA network.

Wedding Pastors USA wants to help you begin this incredible ministry. Our hope is that you receive contacts that allow you to perform as many weddings and meet as many couples as you desire. For some of you that may be just a few every year. For others, like me, I meet and marry over 50 couples every year! Not only is it the greatest evangelistic opportunity in my life, but it is also contributing to my retirement savings and children's college savings! Your results will vary depending on the population of your area and your ability to respond in a timely and relevant manner to those in need.

Here is what we provide:

• National Promotion and Advertising - Couples learn about Wedding Pastors USA from advanced internet searches as well as well-placed ads in prominent bridal magazines. Individually, none of us can muster up enough promotional dollars to do this. Together we can. Your annual fee is used directly for this purpose.
• Training and Advice - In addition to listing yourself in the Pastors Directory, we will help you in whatever needs you have to meet and perform a ceremony for these awesome couples. We will also help you develop a referral system in your area that will put you in touch with people who will introduce you to couples.
• E-News Updates - We will provide updates and stories that will help us all see what an incredible ministry opportunity this is.
• Our Promise - If you do not receive a wedding referral during the year that you are a member, we will not charge you for the next year of service. We may, with your permission, give you some advice on how to get a better response. Does that sound fair?
• Pastors Directory - Depending on which type of listing you choose, the following information will be available to couples through our Pastors Directory:

Serving couples who consider themselves "spiritual" but not "religious" is a great privilege. Yet, it is very challenging! We have seen that pastors whose primary concern for couples is to "convert" them do not make the best servants. We have also experienced that pastors serving and representing their faith through authentic love and deeds are the ones that make the biggest impact on couples who have never seen or experienced real Christian faith lived out.

Couples don't need four or five concise informational facts about Christianity, they need to see it lived and modeled through relevant, loving pastors who can tell stories about how God makes a difference in life and in marriage. If that describes you then read on...

Very practically speaking, we are seeking...

• Pastors who love Jesus and want to be missional.
• Pastors who are serving in the context of a local .
• Pastors that agree with our Statement of Faith.
• Pastors desiring to serve real live people who don't "get" church as we know it, or have written it off as irrelevant to real life.
• Church planters looking to build relationships.
• Youth pastors who want to get a taste of ministry to adults.
• Pastors who can use some additional income.
• Pastors who are personable and professional! You need to own a suit that fits! This sounds obvious, but it is very important that you present yourself well for the couples you are serving. If you are a pastor with a postmodern fashion flair (i.e., you have earrings, tattoos, long hair, whatever) - great. But for someone's wedding day you will need to dress according to how it will serve them best. Fair enough? Just so you feel better... I'm ugly, but I clean up good! :) Ha!
• Pastors who respond quickly and stay in touch with couples in a timely, professional way.

If that describes you, then please keep reading.

It is a foregone conclusion that all of us have different standards and convictions about the institution of marriage. Here are some situations that you need to be aware of in order to decide if this ministry suits your pastoral or biblical convictions:

• Many couples who contact you to be married already live together and are sexually active.
• Some individuals have been previously married and have all sorts of reasons for divorce.
• Some couples come from diverse religious backgrounds. In these cases, most are not involved or active or interested in either.

These and other situations make it imperative that you think through what type of circumstances you would feel comfortable with and what type you would not. Remember, these couples came to you for help, not a lecture. When you serve them, you represent Jesus!

Discuss these issues with pastors and spiritual advisors who you respect. Pray about the types of couples who will contact you, and be prepared to serve them in the way you know best... Christ-like.

Wedding Pastors USA is a ministry of Missional Allies, a non-profit organization that exists to help connect people and resources for greater community impact. We are a faith-based ministry that seeks to represent the love of Jesus Christ to the world.

Because Wedding Pastors USA seeks to connect Christian pastors with couples who are not currently involved or acquainted with a home church, we ask that all pastors in our network agree to the following Statement of Faith:

• Faith in the death and resurrection of Jesus is the vehicle for the redemption of humanity.
• People become fully alive and reconciled to God in a growing relationship with Jesus Christ.
• The Bible is the truth source for faith and living.
• As the Body of Christ, the Church is compelled to respond missionally (John 20:21) to the spiritual, emotional, relational and physical needs of our community.

If you stand in agreement with these statements, please consider joining the Wedding Pastors USA network.

Your annual fee for the Wedding Pastors USA network depends on which type of listing you choose: Featured, Standard or Basic. These fees are used to promote and advertise our service to couples looking for a wedding pastor.

Church planters are eligible for a 50% discounted fee (Featured A listings only).

We are currently not set up for online payments, so please mail a check for your listing fee, if applicable, within 3-5 business days to:

Missional Allies
5041 Princeton Lane
Lake in the Hills, IL 60156

Please include your WPUSA ID number on the check.

I like what I see... Now what?

1. Submit an online WPUSA application. Once your application has been approved and your listing fee received, your listing will be activated.
2. Mail a check for your listing fee, if applicable, within 3-5 business days to:

   Missional Allies
   5041 Princeton Lane
   Lake in the Hills, IL 60156

   Please include your WPUSA ID number on the check.
3. You will receive a confirmation email providing you with your new ID/username and password. Follow the instructions to start creating your own personal profile. Be prepared to define your Service Area - the counties in which you are available to perform weddings. NOTE: You will not appear in the Pastors Directory listings until you have added at least one county to your Service Area.
4. If you have chosen a Featured or Standard Listing, be prepared to enter a short Note to Couples (700 characters max.). Additionally, if you have chosen a Featured Listing, you may enter a longer personal and professional profile. NOTE: Be creative but always professional when entering your personal record. Couples will connect with you based on what they see and feel while reading your information.
5. If you have chosen a Featured Listing, be prepared to upload at least one, and as many as three, photos that couples will see while reviewing your listing. We have found that quality photos (professional and welcoming; of you solo or with your family) help couples connect with you visually.

That's all there is to it. Soon, you will be meeting and serving couples with the love of Christ!