Home > In The News > Geneva Republican 01/29/1998

A man with a mission : by Susan E. Stark
Page 6 - Press- Republican Newspapers Bridal Guide
Thursday, January 29, 1998

A friendly, good humored man, Jim Rehnberg, 45, of Geneva, puts you right at ease in an interview-a perfect asset for the man who interviews and counsels couples, before he marries them.

Also known as the 'Rent a Rev.,' Rehnberg has found his niche as freelance pastor and a wedding chaplain providing professional ministerial services for all faiths.

What started out as a moonlighting gig 15 years ago has grown into a full time vocation. After receiving a degree in biblical studies from Wheaton College and a master's degree in divinity from Bethel Seminary in St. Paul, he led the congregation of a small evangelical free church in St. Paul for nearly three years.

"But I was a young and inexperienced pastor without a support system," Rehnberg said. "It really killed me."

Feeling lost both spiritually and financial he decided to retire from the ministry.

For the next several years, Rehnberg worked with his father-in-law in Geneva and in a number of jobs including raising funds for Living Bibles International, selling industrial products, and even selling life insurance.

But the self-professed, deeply rooted and Biblically-based Christian said he finally found his calling when friends asked him to perform their wedding ceremony in 1983.

The Rev. Jim Rehnberg of Geneva--also known as the 'Rent a Rev.-said he has married couples of all faiths inside beautiful chapels and outside in meadows, backyards, under trees-anywhere the couple wants to exchange vows.

What does a 'Rent a Rev .' do?

After performing weddings as a hobby, for friends, colleagues and others in the wedding industry for a few years, Rehnberg's business went full-time in 1995 as word spread of his unique and special wedding ceremony delivery.

Quick to point out that he makes an effort to provide individualized and personal service to the couples he marries, Rehnberg said he usually conducts his initial interview over the phone.

"The first meeting is really the script writing stage," Rehnberg said. "I want to include personal elements-from their lives, their families and how they grew up-into the service. It's really me learning from them. And it's important to celebrate that history. I call these gorilla counseling sessions."

In later interviews, Rehnberg says, the focus of the developing ceremony comes around to center on the couple.

"The couple becomes the star of the ceremony, as they should be," he said. "I become, in effect, the producer, director and the choreographer.

"I like to say that I celebrate weddings, not merely officiate at them. I am living the dream of being the product," Rehnberg said. "I'm able to pastor in a very unique way. My name well-defines me-I am the 'Rent a Rev.'

Who might call the 'Rent a Rev.'?

This specialized and personal touch has earned Rehnberg a loyal following. He said a lot of his calls come from people wanting a neutral, but still religious ceremony, especially in the case of inter-faith marriages.

"When the God issue comes up, people come to me when there is a problem with family expectations or when there is not particular church affiliation," he said.

But he said couples are in no way dropping the idea of a special ceremony-just the opposite.

"There is a real shift back to making the ceremony the attraction," he said.

"The idea of the ceremony as the center of the celebration is growing," he said. "Instead of focusing so much on the reception, drinking and dancing all night.


Free- lance pastor finds calling as the .`Rent a rev .

He has also performed weddings for minister's daughters, "on the day Dad just wanted to be Dad." A sentiment he knows first-hand, as he got to be Dad at his own son's wedding recently.

The `Rent a Rev.' also has a growing number of people calling to officiate at weddings of those already legally married, but who now want the religious ceremony as well. And he said a growing number of calls are inquiries about vow renewal ceremonies.

"Robert Fulghum has written a wonderful book, From Beginning to End-The Rituals of Our Lives," he said. "I think that we don't do that enough, ritualize our lives, I mean. Once renewing vows was for big anniversaries and such, but I get calls from romantic couples of all ages, who want to relive their special day."

Jeanne Jurecic, owner of Heart to Heart Wedding Chapel in St. Charles, said Rehnberg's hallmark is his personal delivery.

"What really struck me, and Jim has done several weddings here, was the very personal service he gives," Jurecic said. "He is a good speaker and he really gets to know the couple, their likes and dislikes, even their hobbies, and he incorporates that knowlege into the ceremony."

Being the `Rent a Rev.' has put Rehnberg in the path of people and families from all kinds of cultures, a perk that he relishes. In a weekend, for instance, he could be performing a wedding for, say, motorcycle enthusiats and then after that officiating at the most exclusive Country Club.

"I'm able to pastor in a very

unique way. My name well-defines

me- I am the `Rent a Rev. "'

-Jim Rehnberg

He said one bride had the presence of mind and the chutzpa to block the path of Michael Jordan while he played golf at a Naperville Country Club until he presented her with a wedding gift. So Jordan signed his name to the strap of her shoe and played on.

Empty nest

What keeps Jim Rehnberg busy besides celebrating at wedding ceremonies is a well-rounded niche for his unique skills as "a peace maker and a problem solver."

"I work as a mediator for businesses and organizations in the area, I conduct post-marital counseling, as well as premarital counseling. I also have officiated at funerals of the parents or grandparents of couples I've married and I also act as a back up pastor for the area's funeral homes."

Pastoring from his home office, he said he and his wife Margy, owner of Karizma Clothiers in Geneva have turned their children's rooms into home offices. now that their son is married and their daughter is off to college. And being the `Rent a Rev.' has made an impact on his family life.

Jim Rehnberg-known as the ` Rent a Rev.' -says he counsels and gets to know each couple he marries in order to mate their special day truly memorable.
"When I can, I do take my wife out, he said with a laugh, "although it's to someone's wedding reception."

In his role as the `Rent a Rev.' Rehnberg said he has found satisfaction. "Even though I am really the second choice," he said. "First a couple looks for a family link and that's natural-a church or a pastor one knows. But when those options are exhausted-then there is me.

For more information on services offered by the Rev. Rehnberg, one may call 232-2211