NOTE: Upon occasion, Forward From 50 will interview folks who are not yet 50. However, they offer an idea or service that would be beneficial to people looking for purpose themselves.
Jon Sanders is only 46, but he is developing a platform to help men and women over 50 to utilize their skills and passions. He trains people to celebrate major life events.
The Life Celebration Institute was established by Wayne and Rosanne Prevett in Canada about 20 years ago, and Jon is instrumental in helping to expand the platform in the United States. The institute trains, certifies and ordains people to perform life celebrations.
Those rites of passage can include weddings, funerals and new life celebrations. Officiating the ceremonies in a professional way can create opportunities for older people to have impact in their communities and earn some significant income in the process.
“I have been in and around pastoral ministry my entire life. For many years, clergy have been performing those type of ceremonies as part of their expected duties,” said Jon. “However, they often consider their involvement in them as an interruption to the real ministry they’re doing.
“As a general rule, they don’t necessarily love showing up for weddings and funerals, but do it because people consider it part of their jobs,” he added.
The vast majority of people being certified by Life Celebration Institute are not professional clergy members. They are lay people who have a passion and heart for serving others.
“They may have been asked to do a wedding and realized they not only enjoyed officiating, but they were good at it,” Jon explained. “Many people see this as a way to have their own ministry in the marketplace that generates income for them.”
Realities of church ministry
Life Celebration Institute also trains professional clergy on how to lead better ceremonies.
Jon explained that most pastors do not like officiating ceremonies because they see them as big time commitments for which they do not get paid to perform. Pastors are simply expected to adjust their schedules to work around the needs of people in the church or in the community.
“Consider weddings as an example. Pastors are often the lowest paid professionals at the service and reception,” said Jon. “They may get a gift card in appreciation for their time. But, when compared to what the photographer, caterer, wedding planner, the DJ, manager of the venue and even the person baking the cake receive for their time, it’s a very low return.
“What’s worse is that the person officiating the wedding is the only person legally required to be there to join two people together,” he added. “Someone officiating a Christian wedding is often overlooked and undervalued despite the ceremony having a high degree of spiritual significance.”
In addition to Life Celebration Institute, Jon is also involved in another side business called EntrePastors. It encourages professional clergy to have a greater impact on their communities and their own families by starting businesses of their own.
“We are actually changing the paradigms to show pastors they do have value and their time is valuable, too,” said Jon. “I want pastors to know there is a value to what they bring to ceremonies, and they should be paid accordingly rather than being expected to do it all for free.”
Because a pastor’s time is usually spread thin due to church and family commitments, clergy members are more than happy to transfer some of these extra duties to people trained to professionally conduct ceremonies.
Serve by leading
The key to a memorable and meaningful ceremony is having a professional show up ready to serve by leading people through those key rites of passage.
“We have done massive weddings at beautiful venues, small family gatherings in someone’s backyard, and intimate gatherings at cool locations,” said Jon. “It is important that the person who shows up to serve by leading that major life moment do so with empathy, professionalism and strong, secure leadership.
The same skills can be utilized in different ways, such as:
- Anniversaries where vows are renewed.
- Graduations when people mark a transition to a new life.
- Adoptions where people welcome a new child to their family.
“If you are a believer, you recognize the hand of God and his role in the situation,” said Jon. “For weddings, you are conducting a legal ceremony and standing in the gap of a very significant spiritual moment of bringing two lives together.
“When you show up with excellence and lead, you become part of their lives by telling their story,” he added. “You help people see themselves in their own stories by pausing to recognize what’s happening at that moment.”
There is a big difference between having a ceremony performed by someone skilled at leading those celebrations, and someone just showing up and going through the motions while trying to fit another task into an already busy schedule.
“Not to throw a black eye toward clergy, but I have been to ceremonies where the pastor uses the same old sermon used for years. The old name is scratched out and the new name is inserted,” said Jon.
“It is really disconnected from becoming a part of the story of that major life moment,” he added. “Not all officiants are created equal. We are setting the bar higher to help people leading ceremonies to better envision the event’s significance and their role in leading it.”
Special skills required
The Life Celebration Institute established some requirements intended to challenge people and essentially eliminate themselves from pursuing the opportunity.
“If you look at the requirements and can’t identify some of these traits, there is no condemnation for not going down this road,” said Jon.
“If you don’t love people and care about them, then this is probably something you should not step into,” he explained. “Professionalism is a really big piece, and there are a lot of things that go into it. Simply showing up on time is a good start.
“It’s hard to believe, but I am aware of a number of times officiants don’t even show up. They completely blow off the ceremony or arrive late with a very non-professional attitude,” he added. “It’s a horrible way to treat people, especially for a major event in their lives.”
The institute trains people to show up dressed for the part, especially for weddings, where everyone wants everything about the day to be perfect. Little girls often dream about their perfect wedding for years. They envision what people will wear, the food they’ll eat and the music to be played.
“Oftentimes, those dreams exclude the ceremony part of it,” said Jon. “That often gets overlooked. Or worse, people try to ignore the cringe-worthy moments of the ceremony.
“We want to change that narrative by training a generation of wedding officiants to show up in that space with professionalism,” he explained. “We want people to walk out thinking that was one of the best events they ever attended.
“It’s one of those situations for which people can’t explain why it was so memorable,” said Jon. “But, they know when they have sat through a ceremony that was sloppy, careless and led by someone who was not very professional.
“We look for people who don’t just view leading ceremonies as a way to make money,” he added. “Rather, they should look at ceremonies as opportunities to create amazing milestone moments in people’s lives that they will think about and talk about for years.”
Tell a story
Everyone has attended funerals where a pastor is basically reading a page out of a liturgy handbook while tossing in a few key facts about the person who passed away. Those ceremonies are often nothing more than a formal reading of the person’s obituary.
“What’s missing is their unique story about what made their lives so special,” said Jon. “It’s about joining people during a very difficult time, but with empathy and professionalism. It’s about creating a moment the person’s friends and family will cherish for a long time.
“Whether it is a funeral celebration, a marriage or welcoming a new life, all of those moments become part of people’s stories,” he explained.
Faith without evangelism
A lot of professional clergy struggle in this area because they want to create an opportunity to evangelize.
“As a Christian, I understand the desire to do that,” said Jon. “But we also need to recognize that we live in a world that is becoming more post-Christian. We can’t just assume everyone celebrates our faith, or even has spiritual faith.
“There is an opportunity to bring Jesus into every one of these moments, but to do it in a way that is not overbearing,” he explained. “It is a mistake to push faith down someone’s throat during a moment they are not ready to receive it.
“If we see our role correctly, we can show up and serve in a way that Jesus is absolutely present and he’s there ministering to people.” said Jon. “But, it doesn’t necessarily mean we have to overtly offend people with a strong faith message.”
Some clergy members have adopted an attitude that it’s their church, so ceremonies have to be done in a very specific way according a pre-established formula. Some have gone so far to say if the ceremony, like a wedding or celebration of life, is not done at their church, then the clergy will not participate at all.
“We take a very different outlook on the situation. We see it as a great opportunity for us to serve by not creating ways to be divisive and push people away,” said Jon. “Rather, let’s roll out the welcome mat with the love of Jesus and show them who he really is.
“Sometimes, that might look like preaching an actual sermon if that’s what people are looking for,” he added. “Other times it may not be as overt, but there is still a way to bring Jesus into the moment.”
Seek motivational moments
Life Celebration Institute was created in Canada where most people no longer even attend church.
“The United States today is where Canada was 20 to 30 years ago,” said Jon. “Canada has become a post-Christian society where few people turn to clergy during the most important moments of their lives. In fact, they often have no faith construct whatsoever.
“People in Canada don’t see the church as a valid part of these moments, so turning to professional clergy isn’t even on their radar,” he explained. “Rather we seek to create a motivational moment.”
The approach appears to be working as life celebrants develop close relationships with families they serve.
“They end up becoming part of the family story and wind up not just doing one wedding, but many weddings. They walk beside the family through moments of joy and celebration, and moments of grief and loss,” said Jon. “In that relational aspect, officiants get many opportunities to point people to Christ and to share their faith.
“They just don’t torch that bridge on the very first gathering,” he added. “If they are working with a couple who doesn’t want faith to be part of their wedding, then our officiants are not going to do so. Rather, we will join their story to celebrate whatever is happening.
“We trust the Holy Spirit will provide the right moment and the right opportunities,” he explained. “I know it’s hard for professional clergy to resist the urge to preach the gospel. On the other hand, this works to build relationships by simply serving people where they are and allowing the Holy Spirit to work in his timeline and in his timeframe.
“The bottom line is that the only time we are really preaching a full-on gospel sermon is if the couple specifically asks us to do so,” said Jon. “Otherwise, we are going to be professional wedding or funeral officiants and not overstep our bounds when a client asks us not to do something.”
Ceremonies take place anywhere
Because many ceremonies in Canada take place outside the church, Life Celebration Institute performs them wherever they take place. That may mean in a city park, someone’s backyard or at a private venue catering to all kinds of events.
“We conduct services in wedding venues, golf courses, country clubs and hotel ballrooms,” said Jon. “We have conducted ceremonies on mountain tops and even on hot air balloons. We meet people wherever they want to go.”
Since many people don’t have active relationships with a pastor, he said they aren’t likely looking for a church venue anyway. Besides, some churches have stopped conducting ceremonies for people who are not members of the congregation.
“Sadly, for a long time, churches made outsiders jump through a lot of hoops in order to use their buildings for things like weddings,” he explained. “Churches tell couples they need to be members and believe exactly the way the church believes. Otherwise, pastors explain they can’t have any part in that major life moment.
“Honestly, churches are probably missing an incredible opportunity to be involved because it is at a crossroad of life where we believe Jesus wants us to be there,” said Jon. “Jesus’ ministry started at a wedding. The entire theme of the kingdom ends at a wedding feast. We think Jesus kind of liked being at weddings.
“So, it is a sad thing the church has, by and large, said we are not going to celebrate with you because you don’t fit our mold,” he explained. “As a result, it opens the door for us because we see the opportunity for what it is, and stand ready to help people who want to step into it.”
Handling tricky subjects
While officiants do not have to be Christian believers in order to be part of Life Celebration Institute, the company still sets some boundaries.
“We are a Christian-based ministry organized under section 501 (c) (3) of the Internal Revenue Code applicable to charitable organizations. Therefore we are protected in the United States under the First Amendment of the Constitution which guarantees freedom of religion,” said Jon.
“While we may not necessarily require an outright profession of faith from our officiants, we do not ordain them to conduct same-sex weddings,” he added. “We align with Judeo-Christian biblical values and we do have a statement of faith.”
That means anyone can become ordained by Life Celebration Institute. For example, a professional truck driver who likes people and wants to be part of important celebrations can step up and take training.
Certification process
The process to get certified is rather simple. Once complete, officiants become members of the institute as long as they continue to renew their membership.
“We have an ongoing community that schedules two calls a month were we give coaching to people along their journey,” said Jon. “We want to keep an eye on what’s going on so that we can support them and make sure they’re delivering quality services for people who hire our officiants.”
Prior to COVID, all training took place in person. Today, training is completed online through a series of video lessons.
“We did lose a bit of face-to-face community by moving training entirely online. But, it also opened the door for us to train people from all over the place,” said Jon.
The online courses require two full days of training to become a wedding officiant, and another two full days to officiate funerals.
“Occasionally, we see people take training to do both. But the norm is that people often choose one over the other, “ he explained. “It’s kind of interesting how the wedding world and the death industry, as we call it, do not intersect with each other.”
“Training for new life celebrations is more simplified and requires about half a day to complete,” said Jon. “Officiants learn how to show up in those moments and take a family through a significant little ceremony to celebrate the life of a child who has been born.”
The one-time cost is currently $625 for wedding officiant training and $825 to learn how to conduct funerals. The fee for new life celebrant training is $125.
After training is completed, wedding officiants pay a $1,000 annual certification and membership fee. Funeral celebrants pay $100 annually, and there is no membership fee for new life celebrants.
“I have told Wayne it’s way too cheap for the value we provide to officiants,” said Jon. “Membership gives them access to a number of valuable resources.”
For example, wedding officiants have access to a resource they use to walk couples through robust options to customize their ceremony exactly as they want it. Those options include scripture readings , key songs and other elements, such as describing how they met and how their lives came together.
“It’s all available right on an iPad to help officiants plan the ceremony, and later to conduct it exactly as it was planned,” said Jon. “Once training is complete, people have all the tools they need to get started and make enough money in one or two weddings to cover the entire investment.”
Income possibility
Wedding officiants can set their own fees, but many charge upward of $500 for weddings. The fees paid for funerals are often determined by a funeral home as part of the services provided. They simply set aside a portion of the fee and pay the officiants directly.
“I charge $750 and show up to deliver an excellent, professional ceremony,” said Jon. “It’s not going to be cringe-worthy or make people feel awkward. Couples are still paying more than that to all the other players involved in the party.
“I have no issue charging for the value I know I’m going to bring and deliver,” he added. “And our clients will not regret it.
“Think about the opportunity. If someone were to officiate two weddings a weekend at my rate, that’s moving the needle significantly in terms of income generated,” said Jon. “Depending upon the season and where you are located, you could probably do two or three weddings in a single day.”
After the initial planning meeting with the couple, the officiant likely spends an hour or less working at the ceremony itself. In the past, pastors spent all day at a wedding to earn less than $100.
“Some churches require couples to complete eight to 12 weeks of premarital training at no additional charge,” said Jon. “Their heart’s desire is to see the couple get off to a solid start and thrive in their marriage.
“Then, clergy would come for a rehearsal, and go to the rehearsal dinner,” said Jon. “The day of the wedding, the pastor arrives several hours early to make sure the venue is properly set up. The pastor attends the reception and stays at least through the dinner prayer before respectfully stepping away.
“So, considering the amount of time a pastor is pouring into a wedding, it’s a slap in the face when a couple hands him or her a $50 gift card to Chili’s,” he explained. “It doesn’t add up when you see the level everyone else at a wedding is getting paid. Clergy members need to be paid for the value and skills they provide.
“With Life Celebration Institute, it isn’t like that. Wayne told me stories of days he did two or three weddings a day without a problem because they’re spaced out appropriately,” he added.
Slowly, Jon is changing the paradigm to get clergy to abandon the narrative of the starving pastor. Those who climb on board are often thriving today by performing a skill they did for years while getting paid next to nothing.
Independent business owners
Members of Life Celebration Institute are independent business owners. In fact, people cannot contact the company for referrals to officiants in their area.
The organization offers an option to set up a professional website for officiants that is custom built for their business and the services they provide.
“We don’t do marketing for our officiants, but that is a frequent topic of the monthly coaching calls,” said Jon. “We encourage officiants with best practices and answer questions to help them navigate through the start-up process.
“If you do what we tell you to do and take action on the coaching part, we are confident you can set up a thriving officiant practice in your region or community,” he said.
Licensing requirements are different in every state, and most officiants do need to get licensed to perform a ceremony in that state. Yet, the institute will help by pointing officiants in the right direction to seek information about obtaining that license.
Most officiants set up their businesses to run as sole proprietorships, but some opt to set up limited liability corporations. The institute provides some coaching as to what those options entail, and where to go to formally set up a company.
An opportunity to make an impact
Although he is only 46, Jon believes the greatest years for impact are still in front of him.
“I’m not rushing to get there, but I do look forward to my 60s and 70s because I think those are going to be some of the most impactful years of my life,” he predicted.
“Our culture has done a huge disservice, dishonor and disrespect to our older generation by basically treating them as though they’ve done their time and nobody needs to hear from them anymore,” said Jon. “It’s not true at all. We need you, your voice, your wisdom and your experience.
“Rather than leaning into the narrative that your best days are behind you, I’d rather light a fire under you,” he added. “You may be retired, and that’s great. But you are not retired from the impact God planned for your life.
“Whether it’s through this or any number of other opportunities, I am challenging you to lean into a fresh wind and fresh fire for the later chapters in your life,” he explained. “I am very biased in saying the life celebration avenue would be a great fit for many people in the over 50 community.
“I encourage them to explore the Life Celebration Institute and look at dates for our upcoming training,” said Jon. “People can connect with me or Wayne. We would be happy to answer any questions you may have.”
The company recently announced the development of training to certify people to be workplace life coaches.
For more information
- Website = www.lifecelebrationinstitute.com (USA)
- Website = www.lifecelebrationministries.com (Canada)
- Email = inquiries@lcmusa.org
- LinkedIn = www.linkedin.com/in/pjsanders
- Facebook = www.facebook.com/lifecelebrationinstitute
After closing his business and enduring several painful years of uncertainty regarding what to do with his life, Greg founded Forward From 50 to help men and women over 50 to live more purposeful lives by pursuing things they are passionate about. A Wisconsin native, Greg currently lives in Arizona.