The most thorough and useful guide for Wedding Officiants worldwide, whether novices or experienced, whether serving congregations or providing for non-religious weddings in the community. The naive view Officiants as merely talking heads, but Officiants are only too aware that there is enough to this role to challenge and stretch us to our limits. On top of this, sensational does not just happen; it must be created. Sensational involves giving our all with skills that elevate involvement and performance to launch couples unforgettably into commitments that hopefully last a lifetime. So together we investigate an Officiant's role, skills for exciting, fun and creative rehearsals, spell-binding ceremonies and quality business standards and practices. Officiants do not work alone; they enlist synergistic cooperation of all ceremony participants and professionals. This involves delicate work behind the scenes and commanding presence wedding day. By working in this manner, Officiants may provide significant impact not only on wedding couples and guests but on wedding professionals as well. Insights come from more than forty years of Officiating, analyzing what works and what doesn't and seeking creative solutions. Teaching takes into account new paradigms created by the almost limitless expansion of ceremony variables created by the internet and the movement of wedding ceremonies out of the confines of church traditions. It includes complexities, subtleties and surprises navigated along the way to high quality, smooth officiating. It's a Mr. Fixit to improve the many strengths and weakness of wedding ceremony processes, as well as innovate more effective approaches to enhance all aspects of the wedding ceremony experience. Insights fill the gap in practical education of clergy and other Officiants. Whether with years of officiating experience or just starting out, whether officiating in churches or in the community, you will find this the most complete and practical book about wedding officiating ever written.

Autorentext

Ray Cross describes himself as an "improvementist" ? "Good, better, best never let it rest, until your good is better and your better, best." Ray always looks for ways of breathing new life, creativity and healing into all of his relationships and activities ? a life drive that uncovers improvements and solutions to perplexing inefficiencies and weakness. Ray applies this drive to all he experiences. His books, therefore, touch on a variety of challenges that have crossed his path, both conceptual and practical.

Ray was born in Toronto, studied for ministry at Ontario Bible College, where he earned a Bachelor of Theology. While pastoring in Peterborough, from Trent University he earned a Bachelor of Arts in Sociology.

Ray pastored Baptist churches in Peterborough, Trenton, Port Hope, Oshawa and Scarborough for 32 years before retiring from pastoral service. Pastoral ministry, of course, involved all aspects of personal and family care. While pastoring, Ray took many practical ministry and counselling courses to enhance his skills as well a travelling province-wide teaching insightful seminars.
Since retiring from pastoring, Ray has served as an Officiant, primarily for weddings. His wedding website,
brideschoiceofficiant.com, provides matchless wedding ceremony resources couples love.

Ray has been happily married since 1971 to Diane, a nutrition expert and public school teacher (retired). They have two grown children and three grandchildren. Ray shares that the incredible professional acting skills of his daughter, Andrea, inspire his quest for dynamic presentation in ceremonies.

If you see Ray and Diane about town you will find them walking hand in hand. They also ice skate several times a week. They love to travel and delight in white sand beaches. A natural extension of their love of travel is Ray's periodic service as guest minister on cruises ships.

Ray is a thorough researcher, and his experience in sermon planning, public speaking, and service planning and coordination is evident in all he does.

Ray is sensitive and responsive to the needs of those he serves, whether in weddings, public speaking or on the printed page.