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Are online and mail-order ordinations legal?
Yes. Independently chartered non-profit organizations have the same legal rights large, organized church denominations. These organizations can legally ordain ministers, issue independent church charters, and even to award honorary Doctor of Divinity Degrees in recognition of service to the church.
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Besides ordination, what do I need to do to legally perform marriages?
Remember that a marriage is a state sanctioned ceremony recognized by the church. Subsequently, there are certain state requirements that you must adhere to when performing a wedding ceremony.
Check with your local County Clerk's Office for details on things like filing the marriage license, ages of consent, blood test requirements, etc. They'll be happy to give you all the details and necessary forms. While you are there fill out the license application. The nominal license fee is usually paid yearly. Other things to check on are whether you need to file a copy of your ordination credentials before doing weddings, whether you need a license from the state or county to do weddings, how many days before you must return the marriage license to the county, which office to file the license with, and are there any other requirements before you can perform weddings. While they may or may not require you to be ordained, most counties require you to be licensed before you can perform any legal ceremony in their jurisdiction. It would be embarrassing to discover that a marriage was not legal because the clergy was not licensed in that county. Responsible members of the clergy do not allow this to happen.
Finally, Nevada, Oregon, and New York City (and possibly others) all have laws that may require you to have a formally recognized church with a congregation before being allowed to do weddings. Some states may require you to incorporate your ministry.
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Can you recommend a respectable ministry who offers ordination?
There are a lot of differences between organizations that bestow certificates of ordination. While some may simply take your money and send you papers in the mail, others will stay with you and mentor you in your ministry. Avoid any organization who does not know or care about those they ordain. Find someone who takes your ordination as seriously as you do. Write ordination@gentle.org if you are interested in becoming ordained. We will help point you in the right direction.
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Do I have to wear clerical clothing while performing marriages or other services?
No, that's completely optional. A nice suit and tie should be acceptable for almost any occassion.
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Do you have to graduate from seminary to become ordained?
A diploma from a seminary and an ordination are two different things. A diploma shows that you successfully completed the required courses to graduate from that institute. An ordination is a certificate that shows a particular organization respects your calling into the ministry. Many organized denominations will not ordain you unless you complete training in their seminary. It is also interesting to note that many seminaries are not state accredited educational institutes.
Some people complete seminary and never fulfill the responsibilities of their ordination. Some people function in the ministry without receiving an ordination from an organized denomination or ministry. Just as there are certain jobs in the secular world that wave a college education based on experience, there are organizations and denominations who wave the necessity of certain diplomas for the same reason.
John 15:16 is clear about how one may be ordained: Ye have not chosen me, but I have chosen you, and ordained you.. Remember, the disciples did not attend seminary but they were trained for their calling.
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How do I obtain an Independent Church Charter?
Not all organizations or ministries provide church charters. This is usually an activity of large denominational organizations, whereby the local church charter comes under the covering of the main corporate heading of that denomination. Certain responsibilities and liabilities accompany such a charter.
Corporate charters are issued by state governments. Licensing is handled by local governments.. In many circumstances, a ministry will be required to be incorporated and licensed. Remember that not all churches are incorporated, although most states prefer that you do so. Local governments usually require licensing before your church can legally function within its boundaries. State issued non-profit corporations are respected by the IRS although the IRS may respect the non-profit status of a ministry even if it is not incorporated with the state.
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In what way can I use my ordination?
There are many different types of ministries.
Here are a few examples: marriage ministry, bible ministry, chaplain, Christian relief ministry, church minister or pastor, evangelist, street ministry, tract ministry, film ministry, home fellowship ministry, hospital or nursing home ministry, prison ministry, home visitation ministry, informational ministry, missionary work, music ministry, one on one ministry, radio and T.V. ministry, rescue mission ministry, or you may even want to start a ministry on the internet!
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Is email notification of ordination recognized as a legal document?
Technically, yes, e-mail is a legal document. Of course, you should print or save the e-mail letter of ordination for your own records. Make sure you print the complete header of the email to show its origin.
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What does it mean to be ordained.
For a concise definition of the word, go to Dictionary.com In short, the word ordain means to appoint into the office of the ministry.
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What is the legal precedence for online and mail-order ordinations?
In 1974, the United States government sued the Universal Life Church and challenged their right to have a tax-exempt status. The presiding Judge James F. Battin also addressed the validity of mail-order ordination, independent church charters, and Honorary Doctor of Divinity Degrees. The Universal Life Church is not a Christian ministry, however, they performed a great service to all non-traditional ministries by fighting this case in court and eventually winning.
The following is an excerpt from the court's decision in this case. The Universal Life Church is referred to as Plaintiff:
"...an Honorary Doctor of Divinity is a strictly religious title with no academic standing. Such titles may be issued by bona fide churches and religious denominations, such as plaintiff, as long as their issuance is limited to a course of instruction in the principles of the church or religious denomination... The statute is silent as to recognized honorary titles conferred for some meritorious recognition."
The court then addressed the issue of whether the ordination of clergy, granting of church charters, and the issuance of Honorary Doctor of Divinity certificates are substantial activities which do not further any religious purpose. The following is excerpted from the court's decision:
"Certainly the ordination of ministers and the chartering of churches are accepted activities of religious organizations... The fact that the plaintiff distributed ministers' credentials and Honorary Doctor of Divinity certificates is of no moment. Such activity may be analogized to mass conversions at a typical revival or religious crusade."
This court finding guarantees the legality of online and mail-order ordinations:
"Neither this Court, nor any branch of this Government, will consider the merits or fallacies of a religion. Nor will the Court compare the beliefs, dogmas, and practices of a newly organized religion with those of an older, more established religion. Nor will the Court praise or condemn a religion, however excellent or fanatical or preposterous it may seem. WERE THE COURT TO DO SO, IT WOULD INFRINGE UPON THE GUARANTEES OF THE FIRST AMENDMENT."
Online and mail-order ordinations are completely legal and as respectable as an ordination from any other church. If you would like to read the complete case decision, it's filed in the U.S. District Court, Eastern District of California, Civil No. S-1954.
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Where can I find information on how to perform a marriage, baptism, or other rites and services?
Your local Christian book store is a great place to start. Most have a selection of books for clergy covering marriages, baptisms, funerals, writing sermons, etc. They are also good sources for blank marriage and baptism certificates, and even clerical clothing. We have several to choose from. Here is a sample.
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Why don't some people take mail-order ordinations seriously?
No matter where someone receives their ordination, the level of respect they attain with others is directly proportionate to the level of respect they give your ministry. No one questions the validity of Billy Graham's ordination because he actively ministers according to their expectations as a man of God. Very few people know or even care where he received his ordination. If you are also committed to service and ministry, you'll be respected as a minister, no matter where you received your ordination.
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