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Wedding Etiquette Forum

3 officiants...2 too many!

Good morning everyone!


My FI works with 3 other Pastors. Most often the lead Pastor P officiates weddings unless he is out of town ( he's missed one wedding in a year). My FI & I would love Pastor M to officiate. We are both closer to him, personally & professionally. Actually, FI considered asking Pastor M to be his best man but he/we would rather him officiate because he is "safer." Although lead Pastor P is a lovely man, he very often says things that are dreadful and inappropriate (at times) often blaming his self pro-claimed "Sanguine" personality.

Just to give you an idea...after our last Christmas dinner theater he was suppose to do a closing prayer & thank the guests (300+) for attending. He ended up doing a 20 minute "sermon" on the "fast" approaching end of times (12/22) and said a majority of people in attendance were damned, going to hell if they didnt know Jesus. Very inappropriate in lots of ways. He knew it and asked for the opportunity to redeem himself at the following nights show. He did do better but it was a new audience.

Recently, he suddenly stopped mid sermon and pointed to a life size wooden cross that is on the stage when he told everyone, "the man that built that shot himself in the head, killing himself. I wonder where he is now?"  He then picked up his "Jesus is a hero" sermon. Many of us were mortified. I personally couldn't wrap my mind on the rest of his sermon.

I will say that he does officiate much better then the other 2 Pastors but we really dont want to risk it. He is also a very competitive man. When we got engaged he was obsessed with "finding out" if Pastor M knew about it before he did (he didn't) and spent a week pressing it hard and still brings it up once in a while.

Any suggestions on handling this delicate matter? Do you think we should just ask who we feel more comfortable with (Pastor M) and address it with lead Pastor P? Explain that we are closer with Pastor M (which could hit his competitive bone) or not address him at all? If we don't, I feel like there will be a large elephant in the room for a very long time. I don't think it would be wise to be completely honest with him about his "sanquine" mouth. Do you? Btw...Pastor G (3rd Pastor) couldnt care less and strongly dislikes officiating (out of his comfort zone).

 Oh, last wedding he stood up there and spoke about the bride's previous drug use and her "obvious lack of virginity!" She was 19 and pregnant with her 2nd child. Fail!



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Re: 3 officiants...2 too many!

  • I would just ask Pastor M and let the other know that you've asked him to officiate, unless there is other protocol. The other pastor honestly sounds like a complete jerk. 
  • Ask Pastor M to do it and be done with it.  If Pastor P finds out and gets hostile about it, I'd be less worried about the wedding and more concerned about finding a new place to worship. 
  • LAM524LAM524 member
    100 Love Its 100 Comments First Anniversary First Answer
    I would just ask Pastor M and let the other know that you've asked him to officiate, unless there is other protocol. The other pastor honestly sounds like a complete jerk
    No protocol. Sometimes it seems like it but its his "personality" and he can't help it! Pastor M (admin) does a lot of damage control!
    This seems very easy to me...Just go with who you like. It's none of the other pastor's business.
    In a perfect world, right! Do we address the other Pastor?
    Ask Pastor M to do it and be done with it.  If Pastor P finds out and gets hostile about it, I'd be less worried about the wedding and more concerned about finding a new place to worship
    and work! :)

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  • LAM524LAM524 member
    100 Love Its 100 Comments First Anniversary First Answer
    edited July 2013
    sorry...double post!

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  • LAM524LAM524 member
    100 Love Its 100 Comments First Anniversary First Answer
    Yeah, if the pastor's personality is to be an asshole, then he's an assshole. The whole "I can't help it" thing is a load of bull. Making excuses for him doesn't help him, it just hurts you, OP. I would ask Pastor M, and I wouldn't bring it up at all with Pastor P unless/until he does. Then jst say, "we've asked Pastor M to officiate" and change the subject.
    Stage....THANK YOU! I couldn't agree more! I actually think that if he can acknowledge "I cant help it" and blame his "personality" then he most certainly can help it AND knows better!! Trust me...I don't accept his "sanquine" personality bull or make excuses (Im frowned upon for it sometimes..."he is who he is"). I actually looked it up and saw nothing in the definition that fit him nor did I read anything that described his inappropriate "mouth."

    Excusing him with the "he is who he is" mentality could definitely hurt both of us during the ceremony AND our guests!

    Good idea...won't bring it up until he does/if he does. If we act like its a non-issue, then it won't be! Hopefully! We could just be nonchalant when addressing him. " Oh yes, Pastor M is officiating. You get to relax and enjoy yourself as a guest for once" and walk away!  :)

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  • LAM524LAM524 member
    100 Love Its 100 Comments First Anniversary First Answer
    Not being able to help being an obnoxious jerk doesn't make you less obnoxious, or less of a jerk. There is no way I would every let anyone speak to my friends and family (or me) the way that man speaks to others. Good luck!
    He does seem to get away with it with the seniors (at church anyway). Thank you so much. I have to be honest, I was hesitant to create this thread. Thought I would seem like a "jerk" myself. I really appreciate the validation. :)

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