When
I meet couples for the first time and they ask me to
tell
them a little about myself I usually say
what part of my life do you want to know about? Most
of the
time two area’s come up. The first most common
question is what is your background that led to officiating
weddings? And second is officiating weddings your full
time job?

When
I discuss my background I consider myself to be a recovering
Southern Baptist. I received all
my education
from California Baptist University or CBU for short,
in Riverside CA, and my Master’s Degree in
Divinity at Midwestern Baptist Theological Seminary
in Kansas
City MO. Upon completing my degrees in 1993, I pastored
a small church in California, MO., for six years.
Yes, California MO. kind of ironic being how I was
born
and raised in Southern California. While pastoring
in Missouri, I performed many weddings and funerals
for church members. After about five years I began
to realize that my belief system was shifting in
a direction that was not conducive with the Southern
Baptist belief system. I became more inclusive and
accepting of people who belonged to different cultures,
economic and religious affiliations. I understand
that
not all Southern Baptist churches may not be exclusive
and reject people with differences, but in my experience
I no longer fit within the Southern Baptist doctrines.
Since
belief system came to be more inclusive I began searching
for other ministry options. This
brought
me to GA. In April of 2000, prior to my education I
was
a sound engineer in Southern CA. And while in College
at CBU, I served as the Audio Visual Director. When
searching for other ministry opportunities I accepted
a position
as a Technical Director at a Methodist Church here
in GA. Due to budget issues the position only lasted
two
years. After leaving this position I accepted a job
with Gwinnett Rockdale Newton Community Service Board – GRN
CSB. This is basically the department of mental health,
alcohol and drug recovery /resource center for all
three counties. I started and continue to work in the
residential
department. I assist people with mental illnesses,
who are stable on medication, with daily living skills
and
help to integrate them back into the community and
to assist them to become fully independent.
While
working with GRN a member of the Methodist church asked
me if I would officiate his
son’s wedding.
He shared that that his girlfriend was pregnant and the
current minister would not officiate. I agreed. This
led to the idea that there are probably many couples
who might be in this situation and who also may want
a spiritual component to their ceremony who may not be
affiliated with any particular religion or denomination.
So I began putting my name out in the community and I
discovered that there are many couples, like yourselves,
who are reading this and saying “yes, this is exactly
what I need, someone who respects my belief system and
will work with me in putting together my ceremony, not
a ceremony of their own agenda will they judge me of
the situation I am in.” I have been in officiating
business since.
Currently as I indicated above, officiating is not my
full time job, but I would love for it to be. Along with
working at GRN I am attending Argosy University to obtain
my Masters in Professional Counseling Degree with an
emphasis on marriage and family therapy. I then plan
to become a Licensed Professional Counselor or LPC. I
am hoping that my wedding officiating will grow and coupled
with my LPC, I will be able to serve couples in the ongoing
process of marriage and family.
Thanks for considering me to be your officiant. I look
forward to hearing from you. May you find all the joy
a marriage has to offer.
Sincerely
Rev. Keith Chesterman