How to Be an Ordained Deacon
Becoming an ordained deacon can be done in one of two ways: traditionally, which requires two to four years of preparation, or the non-traditional way, which can take anywhere from 24 hours to about one week on average. The role of deacon can differ depending on the faith or denomination where the ordination is going to take place. Some faiths will only ordain men, while others ordain both men and women. Some faiths consider ordained deacons to be fully ordained ministers able to perform legal weddings and more, where other denominations may limit the functions of an ordained deacon to administrative or charity work.
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Instructions
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Traditional
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Make sure you have a call of God on your life and are not seeking ordination simply for vanity’s sake or to just have a title. Many traditional denominations take the ordination of deacons very seriously.
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Speak with your local pastor and begin the necessary application paperwork and review requirements of your denomination for becoming an ordained deacon. Some faiths require either a bachelor’s degree in theology from an accredited institution or the equivalent of two or more years of classes and curriculum they will provide pertaining to church functions, church history, church order and more. This process could take two to four years.
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Finish your academic and on-the-job requirements provided to you by your house of worship. You will be required to meet with various bishops and committees to have your character examined before being ordained.
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Attend your scheduled ordination ceremony and receive your credentials as a newly ordained deacon.
Non-traditional
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Visit different ordination sites on the Internet. Most will ordain you free if you fill out a few forms and attest to certain sets of belief statements found in the ordination company’s code of ethics.
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Pick an ordination company that aligns most closely with your personal set of beliefs. The Universal Life Church will ordain anyone of any religion with any title, free for life. World Christianship Ministries, which ordains people free, does not support homosexual unions.
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Fill out any applicable applications or forms the ordination company requests and send them in. Optionally, you may at the same time usually order credential packages that include: documentation stating you're an ordained deacon, original certificates, a pocket ID card and more.
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Print your online credential information or wait for the originals to arrive in the mail. You are now an ordained deacon.
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Tips & Warnings
Meet with currently ordained deacons in the denomination you belong to, and ask them to provide more details on what their day-to-day life is like. Speaking with these individuals will often give you insight to the position that you may not have otherwise considered.
Not all denominations are OK with online ordinations. If you choose that route, your credentials may not be accepted or recognized by opposing denominations.
References
- Ken Collins: What Does it Take to be Ordained?
- “Creeds of the Churches: A Reader in Christian Doctrine, From the Bible to the Present;” John H. Leith; 1982
- Universal Life Church: Ordination
