The tag is here:
The tag is above
GET ORDAINED

AMERICAN WEDDINGS BLOG

Stay up to date with the latest wedding ceremony trends, script writing inspiration, tips and advice for first-time officiants, and news that matters to couples and wedding ministers.

Watch: Reverend Hooker Explains How Online Ordination Protects Marriage Equality

Published Monday, Feb. 28th, 2022


.

Why choose online ordination with American Marriage Ministries?

 

 

In the video below, Reverend Tim Hooker talks about the importance of his ordination with AMM in protecting marriage equality for same-sex couples in Tennessee. 

 

When he first felt called to serve in his early 50s, Rev. Hooker knew that uprooting his life to attend a traditional seminary wasn’t a practical path. After researching churches online, he found American Marriage Ministries, whose mission aligned with his values. 

 

He was soon ordained, and began Ocoee Ministries in 2015 to provide ministerial services to people who didn’t have a regular congregation, “but who want the turning points in their lives celebrated.” (via timhooker.org)

 

 

This timing coincided with the Supreme Court’s Obergefell v. Hodges ruling that same-sex couples had a constitutionally protected right to marry. While most traditional clergy in Tim’s Appalachian community refused to perform these marriages, the Reverend welcomed them, and was soon performing beautiful ceremonies for same-sex couples and others from all around the region. 

 

 

 

 

 

As Rev. Tim Hooker describes above, online ordination eliminates many of the barriers to traditional ordination – barriers including time and money, and discrimination based on spiritual beliefs, sexuality, gender, race, class, and other defining traits. 

 

By making ordination more accessible to everyone, and providing free wedding officiant training, AMM gives our Ministers the tools they need to serve their communities according to their values, with love and compassion. 

 

Our mission is to ensure that all people have the right to marry and to choose who performs their marriage ceremony, and that all people have the right to solemnize marriage. These are AMM’s 3 Tenets.

 

It’s our incredible Ministers that bring this mission to life!

 

...

 

 

Connect with Tim: 

 

Rev. Tim Hooker is headquartered in Cleveland, Tennessee, and serves Bradley, Polk, Hamilton, Meigs, McMinn, Monroe, and Loudon counties. 

 

Online: TimHooker.org
On Instagram: @reverendtimothywhooker



Reverend Tim Hooker

Photo via TimHooker.org

 


 

You might also like: 

 

 


 


Jessica Levey
Jessica Levey

Lead Staff Writer & Illustrator

Jessica loves exploring the history and magic of ritual, the connections between people and places, and sharing true stories about love and commitment. She's an advocate for marriage equality, LGBTQ+ rights, and individuality, and is an ordained Minister with AMM. When she’s not writing or illustrating for AMM, she enjoys city hikes, fantasy novels, comics, and traveling.

How To Officiate By State

Will You Marry Us? Gift Package

Who Will Officiate Your Wedding?

Choose Your Officiant with our "Will You Marry Us?" Gift Package.

Signature Wedding Officiant Package

Signature Wedding Officiant Package

Our premiere package contains everyting you need to officiate like a pro.

The Book of Wedding Vows and Ceremonies

The Book of Wedding Vows and Ceremonies

It's finally here! Timeless scripts and heartfelt vow inspiration to bring life to your ceremony.

Professional Wedding Officiant Certification Course

Learn from the Pros to Officiate with Confidence!

Wedding Officiant Training

Wedding Officiant Training

Everything you need to know to officiate.

Read our sample wedding ceremony scripts online

Sample Wedding Ceremony Scripts

Need inspiration? Check out our free ceremony scripts!

Subscribe To Our Newsletter!

GET ORDAINED
WITH AMM

Become a Wedding Officiant with Our Free Online Ordination!