The issue is Ordination and what it really is. Internet Ordained Ministers seldom think deeply of the meaning of Ordination, but they should. Pretentious statements of traditional church doctrines do not make law simply because some church wished it so.
Most laypersons believe it is something that only a person having gone through a Seminary may acquire. Then, only after long studies and the approval of some Board of Regents, can they achieve Ordination. Others believe that only their Church has the right to ordain Ministers. Many denominations will first require that a Minister go through levels of licensing, or certification prior to Ordination. For many seeking to serve in faith the cost of this is prohibitive. These will be discussed later.
In the Christian belief, the Bible states in St. John 15:16, " You have not chosen Me, but I have chosen you, and Ordained you before the foundations of the Earth." This is very strong language, and difficult to fight when the Lord has decided something. Who on Earth can question God's decision, or claim that only their group may decide whom God chooses? These are words to contemplate when meeting a newly ordained Minister. Does the Lord not admonish you in Matt. 7:1-3 to judge not, lest Ye be judged? With this statement of the word, no other documentation should be required. Unfortunately, all fifty States demand some form of official paperwork to accept the official standing of the Minister. (As if the Word of God is not enough!)
Becoming a legally Ordained Minister does not require God's sanctified approval, simply the approval of some legal church that accepts you as a spiritual leader within their organization. By that legal church substantiating your ordination in their records, and issuing credentials of proof, you become legally ordained within the law. In certain cases this legal Ordination may be two people allowing the Minister to sign documents of marriage as their chosen Pastor of the moment.
Ordination is simply the empowerment to perform marriage. Let's look at that statement from a different direction. Ordination is the sanctioned authority to perform weddings within the legal guidelines of the State. Ordination also allows ministers to move in certain institutions where the lay person is not allowed entrance, ie: Prisons, Hospitals and nursing homes. All other sacerdotal duties performed by the clergy have no legal requirements, except that they must conform to various legal statutes within each state. Many states do limit healing, and counseling by the Minister through statutory requirements, yet even these requirements are very limited to not violate Federal Constitution. The Minister should maintain a distinct knowledge of what is considered by the State as religious, and what is considered medical License.
Most services provided by a Minister such as Baptisms, Funerals, Worship Services, Prayer Meetings, Rites of Passage, and Religious Training require no form of Government approval. These forms of services fall under our rights of Religious Freedoms in the First Amendment. (Applies to the U.S.) This is where the words of God in St. John become important to the Minister and laypersons alike. Here, God informs us beyond question that he chooses you to carry His word to the children of the Lord, and perform the duties placed on you by Him.
If you follow a different belief doctrine than the New Testament, you will find similar statements within your faith's teachings. By accepting that God has Ordained you, and the State acknowledges your legal standing as a Minister of your faith, the next part becomes important to you.
What is it that God requires of you? Not everyone is picked by God to preach the word to the masses. Often God chooses you to serve in different ways. (See the Alternatives to Ordination.) Spiritual ordination in your faith is different than legal ordination.
Unfortunately, many newly Ordained Ministers are ridiculed by their friends and family for receiving legal ordination and empowerment through a church not of their beliefs. It is true today that many of the freely Ordained Ministers became so, not to serve God, or humanity, but merely for the simple pleasure of receiving a legal title. The Ego demands boosting in all of us throughout our mortal lives. For many, this is one way of receiving such a boost. Even Jesus Christ needed his morale boosted from time to time. He often sought the Lord of Host's approval.
In the Universal Ministries, we embrace these people, as well as the devout in faith. We do not deny anyone the pleasure or right to legal Ordination. All that come here seeking Ordination have our blessings as well as our legal authority. We empower you to perform all sacerdotal duties that you are of legal age to officiate. We authorize you to perform the religious duties of a Minister from Baptism to Final Rites, and all in between including Absolution of Sin. We only request that if you became ordained in jest that you maintain this attitude, and not hurt others while waiting for a higher power to call you in faith.
This is only a request through our belief to do what is right. We freely Ordain each person for life within our doctrines, or until we are informed by the individual to remove them from our Registry of Ministry, we request that you accept our ideas of "Do that which is right, live a fruitful life, and hurt no one intentionally."
For our members that feel the calling of their faith, yet are not ready to become Ministers and those that have second thoughts about Ordination for pleasure, we offer an alternative section that may be more suited to your needs at this time. Often, the use of Certification of a lesser status than Ordination will fill the needs better. Please see our Alternatives to Ordination section.
