Getting Ordained

[christiangal522]

Does anyone know how to get ordained? I really don't want to go through a call process because I don't believe that is for me.

I attended seminary and have a master's in youth ministry. A lot of my kids are reaching marriage age and are asking me to do their weddings. I'd love to honor their requests but I don't feel called to be a pastor.

I hear there are ways to get ordained on the internet so you can do that. There are so many though I don't know what is reputable or not.

Any ideas??

 

[karen freeinchristman]

Personally, the idea of getting 'ordained' over the internet for the sole purpose of officiating at your friend's weddings is not good. Why do you need to be the one to do their weddings? It seems you misunderstand the meaning of 'ordained' ministry. It isn't about solely doing weddings, it is to the pastoral ministry. And it isn't something you can do without going through the 'call process'. Getting 'ordained' through the internet would be an abuse of the word, in my view, because the word implies God's calling and the church calling you to be ordained. (Sorry if this sounds insensitive to your thread, but that is my honest view, and it reflects the tradition of Christians since the early church began).

 

[Kristen.NewCreation]

Have you considered working with your pastor to find a way to help with the weddings as part of the process since you aren't ordained?

You could talk with your local area office to see if there any other persons who can officiate that you may qualify for.

I've been in churches where the active youth minister and associate minister have been ordained by the pastor after completing their coursework and after pastoring for a while.

 

[TimRout]

Some seminaries have credentialing programs, though you'll want to check with your home church first to avoid any denominational complications.

 

[karen freeinchristman]

Have you considered working with your pastor to find a way to help with the weddings as part of the process since you aren't ordained?

You could talk with your local area office to see if there any other persons who can officiate that you may qualify for.

These are good ideas!

 

[christiangal522]

Personally, the idea of getting 'ordained' over the internet for the sole purpose of officiating at your friend's weddings is not good. Why do you need to be the one to do their weddings? It seems you misunderstand the meaning of 'ordained' ministry. It isn't about solely doing weddings, it is to the pastoral ministry. And it isn't something you can do without going through the 'call process'. Getting 'ordained' through the internet would be an abuse of the word, in my view, because the word implies God's calling and the church calling you to be ordained. (Sorry if this sounds insensitive to your thread, but that is my honest view, and it reflects the tradition of Christians since the early church began).

I know that I am called to ministry. The Lord has made that clear. That is a "call". The "CALL" process of most denominations are based on the needs of a particular congregation and are based on human standards. To me, a TRUE call is having God say to me, "This is where I want you". I am called. We ALL are. I DO pastor youth. I DO preach. I DO all that. I just don't have a "Formal" title. That's the World's doing, not the Spirits. The Spirit HAS called me. I dont doubt that. I just don't want to be tied to a denomination.

 

[karen freeinchristman]

I know that I am called to ministry. The Lord has made that clear. That is a "call". The "CALL" process of most denominations are based on the needs of a particular congregation and are based on human standards. To me, a TRUE call is having God say to me, "This is where I want you". I am called. We ALL are. I DO pastor youth. I DO preach. I DO all that. I just don't have a "Formal" title. That's the World's doing, not the Spirits. The Spirit HAS called me. I dont doubt that. I just don't want to be tied to a denomination.

Okay, I understand what you are saying. But in your OP, you said you don't feel called to be a pastor.

I do not doubt your calling to ministry - I have no reason to doubt it. I also agree with you that we are ALL called.

Let me ask you a question: in what way do you think that an internet ordination can be 'reputable'? I am honestly interested in your response to this question.

 

[Strong in Him]

I know that I am called to ministry. The Lord has made that clear. That is a "call". The "CALL" process of most denominations are based on the needs of a particular congregation and are based on human standards. To me, a TRUE call is having God say to me, "This is where I want you". I am called. We ALL are. I DO pastor youth. I DO preach. I DO all that. I just don't have a "Formal" title. That's the World's doing, not the Spirits. The Spirit HAS called me. I dont doubt that. I just don't want to be tied to a denomination.

Hi,

I too don't doubt that you are called. A call from God is the most important qualification anyone can have, and there's no point trying to do anything without it. BUT most churches ask that you test that call by submitting to a selecion/interview process of some sort. Exactly what that involves differs from denomination to denomination, and sometimes it seems like undue hassle and unnecessary stress; but I, for one, think it's important. Not only is there the fact that others see a pastor/minister as being someone they can trust, and would want to know they are trained and qualified before they seek counselling from them, or whatever. But there is also the fact that if you face opposition/begin to doubt/get discouraged or whatever, you have the assurance that your call is genuine, has been tested by the church, and what's more, that the church will back you, stand behind you and recognise your ministry as being from God. There is an issue of accountability here too.

Titles are not the world's doing; people are referred to in Scripture as deacons, overseers, elders, pastors, prophets, apostles and so on. I don't know if there is a church that gives its leaders no titles at all. Nor do I know if it's possible to do weddings without being ordained and properly recognised by the church. Unless you trained as a registrar, performed a wedding, then led and preached at a service of thanksgiving at the church.

Personaly I'd stay away from internet "ordinations". I don't think they're recognised and you'd be doing the thing that you say you don't want; getting a "title" and a bit of paper which says you are ordained, yet without doing a properly accredited course.

 

[christiangal522]

I understand what you are all saying. I do. I'm not necessarily seeking an 'internet ordination', I'm just don't want to be tied to a particular denomination. And I don't know if that is possible.

 

[Strong in Him]

I understand what you are all saying. I do. I'm not necessarily seeking an 'internet ordination', I'm just don't want to be tied to a particular denomination. And I don't know if that is possible.

I don't know either, I'm afraid. You could maybe become an itinerant preacher or evangelist, like Billy Graham, William Booth or John Wesley, but even they were ordained ministers.

What about your own church - what does your minister say about this? Is it possible you could be ordained into a denomination (which will give you backing, authorisation and prayer support) but then be released by the church to preach elsewhere, plant other churches or just take the Gospel to wherever its needed?

Whether it's right or not, the fact is, I think, that most people will feel happier about confiding in, listening to or being approached by someone from a recognised church. Just as, if I saw someone who called themselves a counsellor, I'd want to know that they were properly qualified and accredited by a recognised counselling body. Anyone, at the moment, can rent an office and set themselves up as a counsellor; some do this, and people end up getting hurt/ripped off. I'm not saying for one minute that you'd do that, but in other people's minds, qualifications/accreditation are important and give authority.

 

[dancinggurl54]

I go to an online university and going for youth ministry.. Im on my way to get certified and then licensed, and i know they have an ordain part also, but i think you have to go through the certified and licensing in order to get ordained.. Are you licensed in anyway, if not I don't think you can skip to just get ordained, its a lot of studying. I love it actually, this is what God called me to do!

 

[clmanning]

Was Jesus "ordained"? Where did He get His authority? His authority came directly from the Father. This was also true of most of the prophets of old.

When you consider that 64% of all men and women currently serving "officially" in the ministry don't even believe that the Scripture is the very Word of God, then I think that the church is in trouble.

Actually, it is not ordination that gives you the legal authority to perform weddings, it is licensing by the state. Now, being ordained, is one qualification for licensing, but there are others. Check into your state licensing regulations. Perhaps there is a way you can be licensed by the state without being ordained by any denomination.

 

[crm4souls]

Talk to your seminary or the minister's fellowship you know. I was ordained through the minister's fellowship under my bible college.

 

[Always in His Presence]

I understand what you are all saying. I do. I'm not necessarily seeking an 'internet ordination', I'm just don't want to be tied to a particular denomination. And I don't know if that is possible.

People are Ordained through their Denominations - I'm not aware of any legitimate organization that has the authority to Ordain that is not a denomination.

It's similar to wanting to be a quarterback, but not play for a particular team.

 

[GodismyRefuge]

Evangelical Church Alliance


http://www.ecainternational.org/index.cfm/PageID/467/index.html

 

[revanneosl]

When it comes to having the authority to perform weddings, clmanning is absolutely correct. As far as legal marriage are concerned, each state (in the USA) has its own rules about who is qualified and who is not. You may already be a winner!

In California, anybody can do it. Anybody at all.

In Illinois, if your denomination/church/religious group/whatever says you're qualified, then you're qualified

In Tennessee, you have to be the leader of a congregation of at least 12 persons

In Virginia, you have to show proof of ordination and get a special certificate from the county clerk

Call up a county courthouse in your State & ask what the rules are where you live.

 

[Autumnleaf]

http://www.ulc.net/

Is a website where you can get ordained for free. Once its done you can go to the city or county clerk and get registered to perform marriages and such.

 

[Autumnleaf]

Double post.

 

[rob64]

I know that I am called to ministry. The Lord has made that clear. That is a "call". The "CALL" process of most denominations are based on the needs of a particular congregation and are based on human standards. To me, a TRUE call is having God say to me, "This is where I want you". I am called. We ALL are. I DO pastor youth. I DO preach. I DO all that. I just don't have a "Formal" title. That's the World's doing, not the Spirits. The Spirit HAS called me. I dont doubt that. I just don't want to be tied to a denomination.

Hey, christiangal.
I am a christian, and as such, I have to defend the truth of God's Word, which hasnt happened so far.

Two points I see here:
1. You keep refering to your "calling".? What is your calling?
2. If you would look to God's word, Its plain and simple that pastors are supposed to be: Husband of one wife.(Not wife of one husband) Not given to wine. Having his family in line with God's word. If he cant manage his own family, how could he ever manage the family of God.
So, you DO preach, and you DO pastor youth, and you DO all that, but you dont know the requirements the Bible lays out (in black and white) for what you are doing? Is that what your calling is?

 

[EvangelicalChristian]

I see you are from Minnesota. Below are the rules for becoming licensed in your state to solemnize marriages. For what it is worth, as long as you have your Pastors approval I see nothing wrong with you pursuing ordination online or with alternative non-denominational options.


Solemnization Authority: Marriages may be solemnized by any of the following:
• The officials authorized to solemnize marriages include judges, clerks of court, and licensed ministers, priests or rabbis. In some counties there is a court commissioner who is authorized to officiate at marriage ceremonies. There are also special provisions for marriage between members of the Bahai, Hindu, Quaker and American Indian religious groups.
Valid: License is valid for 6 months days.
The license can only be used within the State of Minnesota.
Please Note: State and county marriage license requirements often change. The above information is for guidance only and should not be regarded as legal advice.