Getting Ordained As A Christian

“We are all children of the same universe”

For those who like helping people and are looking to start their own Christian ministry, the tasks involved for some churches can seem overwhelming. To get ordained as a Christian minister by the traditional means takes determination, a lot of time, and often requires the ministry to support projects on the other side of the country or the world. Some ministers-to-be just want to know exactly how their efforts are affecting the local community. In order to bypass the strict requirements of some churches, that may or may not have the same Christian beliefs, many go the route of establishing an independent Christian church.

One of the easiest ways to receive a legitimate Christian ordination is to go through a Universalist ministry such as the Universal Life Church. The ULC provides an easy method for individuals to become ordained ministers without taking any classes or even without leaving home. All ordination can be done online or over the telephone. Ordained ministers of this church are legally entitled and recognized by the state to officiate over weddings, perform baptisms, perform other religious rites, and operate as a tax exempt entity.

In this modern world, traditional marriage ceremonies at a large, established church are falling out of favor for more private, open, liberal, and personal ceremonies performed by a close friend or relative. Online ordination provides a route through which this can legally occur without a big hassle. Online Christian ordination is available from several different churches, but the Universal Life Monastery is one of the oldest, and their standing has been upheld time and again in U.S. courts of law. It is also completely free. Other services can charge up to $100 or more for a simple ordination.

Online ordination as a Christian minister remains a controversial topic. The idea is fought in court by large churches and supporters of large churches on a regular basis. Some of these churches simply oppose these ministers being called reverends. Other churches oppose the entire concept and establishment. In any case, many churches who provide a simple and distance ordination allow the recipient to choose their title. Some of the possible titles include reverend, minister, apostle, elder, pastor, evangelist, chaplain, missionary, deacon, bishop, brother, priest, sister, and vicar.

In many cases, being ordained as a Christian minister is simply a way to get around the laws of who is legally entitled to marry a person. Some church and government officials recognize this and allow the process for just this reason. It is an existing way that makes it easy for a couple to use a wedding ceremony officiator of their choice without having to make sweeping changes in existing laws.

To get ordained as a Christian through online ministries, churches, or monasteries usually just requires filling out a form and agreeing to an oath to uphold the standards of the church. Some of them require a fee for certificates, ID cards, and letters of authorization or letters of good standing that are required in many states to register as an official minister, and they will not complete the ordination without a purchase.

The exact laws for becoming registered and recognized by state, county, and municipal governments varies in each location. Some areas require several forms to be completed along with official records and/or letters from the church. These are areas that don't like the idea but are being forced by the court to provide a way for these ministers to be officially recognized. Some areas are much more liberal. They either don't require any form of registration or just a simple registration that can be filed at the time of filing for a marriage license.

The Universal Life Church was founded in 1959 by Kirby Hensley. Hensley was an illiterate man who simply wanted people to have the true religious freedom that is called for in the United States Constitution. Although he couldn't read or write, he was otherwise very intelligent and wise. By 1977, a group of those who believed in the preaching of Hensley started the ULC at a separate establishment. It was created primarily for the homeless, disenfranchised, and new age spiritualists who want equal recognition as that afforded to larger traditional Christian churches.

Hensley and his ministry fought for its rights as a legitimate church until his death in 1999. By that time, the church was well-established, having built up legal precedents in many state courts. This paved the way for other similar churches to follow in their footsteps. From their headquarters in Seattle, the Universal Life Monastery, as the church calls itself, performs more ordinations than any other church in the world.

To be considered a real church while encompassing the philosophy of all denominations, the ULC has established an official church ethic that simply states, "Do that which is right." The belief of the church is that all people are children of the same universe, and all religions are valid. They only ask that their ministers be at peace with their god, whoever, whatever, or however that god is conceived.

Ordinations by the Universal Life Church are always free, and legal support is provided for any ministers who are having trouble registering with any government board. Letters of good standing are provided free of charge when necessary. Upgraded certificates, identification cards, apparel, and accessories are sold as optional accoutrements at the Universal Life store. In addition, the store provides certificates for religious rites, including baptism, baby naming, marriage, and more. Christian ordination, and ordination for all other denominiations is completed quickly and instantaeously online.