Is Being Ordained Online For Real?

Dear Brother Ron

Is being ordained online for real? What are the rules for allowing people to become an ordained minister? Can anyone be a minister? Do they have to be Christains or can they be of other religions?

Red Rabbit

Dear Red Rabbit

Your ordination as a minister is as real as you are. Ordination is merely the recognition by a religious organization of your right to perform the duties of a minister in the name of that organization. Being ordained is simple. Doing the work of our Father is one of the hardest jobs on earth.

Universal Ministries will ordain anybody at no cost. Your ordination is legal in every state and the UM fights diligently in your behalf to oppose any challenges to your right to perform the duties of a minister. Ordination is free and available to all. Once you are ordained, you have the right to form a church and lead a congregation. You do not have to be a Christian to do so. Once you are ordained, you should take the following steps:

1. Write a vision statement. This is your vision of the world (or your part of it) as you would like to see it. The whole purpose of ministry is to help others love and understand God more and accomplish His plan for us. What is your understanding of God and what changes are needed to accomplish His plan for us?

2. Write a mission statement. Specifically what do you see as your mission within your community? What changes do you see which need to be made in order to accomplish your vision? You are probably not going to change the world but you can change your part of it. What changes need to be made to make your vision a reality?

3. Form a strategy. Your first step here should be to gather others who share your vision and your mission as your Board of Advisors. The Greek word which was translated in the Bible as "church" is "ecclesia", which means a gathering of people. Your Board of Advisors will serve as the core of your congregation and help you devise a strategy to accomplish your mission.

These are just the first steps in a journey which will occupy the rest of your life. Before you take them, you should consider carefully whether you want to commit the time and effort needed to this journey. Along the way, you will encounter financial difficulty and social criticism. Is your commitment to your vision and your mission strong enough to overcome these and many other obstacles?

Only you can answer that question.

Best always
Brother Ron