Answers to these two heavy questions:
1) There is really no purpose for a rabbi in the Reform movement. However, someone needs the identity as the leader of the flock. In reality, there is no flock, just club members. But there needs to be a CEO. This masquerades as religion. It’s basically Purim all year round.
2) The title rabbi connotes nothing. Many reform rabbis know less than the average frum kid in kindergarten. Some of us have actually observed the challenge between a 3-4 year old kid from a mainstream frum family and a Reform rabbi. These fellows get terribly embarrassed. What qualifies them for a title is having a tad more knowledge than the next fellow (or gal).