How to Become an Ordained Christian Minister Online

Ordination is simply recognition of a person who has been called by God for active ministry.

Ordination for becoming a Christian minister is a process in which a person earns credentials for officiating church services, baptisms, weddings and funerals and counseling members of the congregational body. All Christian denominations have their own sets of requirements when it comes to ordination. Some require successful completion of an approved course of study. But some independent churches believe ordination is only a matter of the relationship between God and the individual. Some of these independent churches are online and provide ordination for a statement of faith and a registration fee.

Instructions

1. Prepare a written statement on a piece of paper titled "My Statement of Faith" as a guideline to use when applying for ordination. This statement should declare your Bible-based beliefs about who God is, your feelings about the history of the Bible and why you feel you are being called into the ministry. Many churches who offer ordination online will require you to submit a basic statement of faith in an online form, or by email, before considering you for the process of ordination through their establishments.

2. Visit the websites of any number of churches online that offer ordination services (see Resources).

3. Read all of the information regarding the church beliefs and operating policies to ensure they match your own beliefs. The body of believers who will be ordaining you for ministerial services will be representing you, and you will be representing them. Some will want to research you and the church from whom you were ordained, so it is important that both minister and ordination group be of sound character.

4. Check the credentials of the ordaining ministry for legitimacy before requesting ordination as a Christian minister. You can confirm legitimacy if the organization is incorporated as a 501(c)(3) non-profit government-recognized entity. All organizations incorporated as such under the Internal Revenue Service are required to keep records, provide a street address of headquarters and must have a board overseeing operations.

5. Fill out the online form, or send the required email, requested by the ordaining institution on the organization's website. If the organization requires a fee for application and custodial needs, submit payment online with a credit card or a debit card. When arriving at the payment screen, look at the address of the page in the address bar at the top of the screen to make sure the connection is secure. A secure connection will show an "https://" at the beginning rather than an "http://". The letter "s" denotes the connection is secure.

Tips & Warnings

• No government in the United States is constitutionally allowed to make any laws regulating religious activities, per the First Amendment. However, states regulate marriage and funerals, requiring a minister to ensure proper marriage or funeral licenses are obtained. Ordination itself is a church function. Always obtain and file the appropriate documents per the legal requirements of the locality and the state in which you provide services as a minister. The local courthouse can assist a new minister in making you follow all laws.

References

• The United NewTestament Church, International: Legality of Online Ordination
• ULC Case Law: Court Precedent for Validity of Online Ordination - Regarding Universal Life Church
• Christian Times Online: Ordination Laws by State

Resources

• Rose Ministries
• Trinity Evangelical Christian University
• Cambridge Theological Seminary