How To Become And Ordained Minister Online
Becoming an ordained minister online is a great way to start your ministry, especially if you’re looking to build a career in the field of religion. With the right education, you can become an ordained minister and start leading services immediately.
To become an ordained minister online, you’ll first need to find a school that offers the education you need. Some schools offer degrees in ministry while others just offer certificates in religious studies or theology. The type of degree you want will depend on how much time you want to devote to your studies as well as what kind of work you want to do once you graduate from school.
Once you’ve picked out your school and decided whether or not it’s right for you, find out how long it takes them to process applications and send out diplomas. Some schools take longer than others so make sure that whichever one you choose won’t take too long before sending out your diploma so that when graduation day comes around, there won’t be any delays holding up your future plans!
The next step towards becoming an ordained minister online is making sure all of your paperwork is complete before submitting it to the school itself (if applicable). This includes transcripts from previous colleges/universities attended.
How To Become And Ordained Minister Online
Becoming an ordained wedding officiant online is almost embarrassingly easy.
- Grab a device that connects to the Internet (e.g. a smartphone or a computer)
- Go to an online non-denominational ministry’s website, such as The Universal Life Church Ministries or Open Ministry.
- Click on “Get Ordained” or something to that effect.
- Fill out the form.
- Pay the nominal online ordination fee, if any. (Most are free of charge but accept donations.)
- Check your email for confirmation.
Depending on what ministry ordains you, you may have to wait up to two weeks to receive your official documents as an ordained minister, so allot enough time for that process. It is highly suggested that your minister verify with the county clerk to ensure that his or her appointment is recognized and legal before the wedding day. If he or she is turned down by the county clerk, it is advised that your friend or loved one contact the ministry that gave the ordination for further guidance.
Once you’ve figured out the ordination process, check out our guide to how to officiate a wedding.
Becoming a wedding officiant is a piece of cake, really—weirdly easy, if you think about it. Now your wedding will be complete with all the fixings for an absolutely perfect day, including that special someone to have the power invested in them to pronounce you, husband and wife!
Your wedding really only needs three things: you, the person you are head over heels in love with and the perfect person to marry you. Many couples have their church ministers officiate their marriage, but don’t fret if that’s just not your style. Nowadays, aunts, uncles, friends, and siblings are uniting couples in holy matrimony more often because it’s another way to get the most important people in your life together involved in your union. If you want a loved one or a close friend as your wedding officiant, but he or she isn’t ordained, here’s what you need to know to make that happen. You and your soon-to-be-minister will be pleasantly surprised at how ridiculously easy and inexpensive it is to become a wedding officiant. Sign, sealed, delivered.
The Basics
If your friend or loved one is genuinely wishing to become a legit minister (i.e. start a congregation), then getting ordained online is probably not the best option. In fact, some states (and countries) do not recognize online ordinations, so a more traditional route of attending a seminary or obtaining a degree in theology or ministry is a much better option for the minister-hopeful. On the other hand, if the person is simply wants to act as your wedding officiant for the big day, then getting ordained online is the perfect option.
(Note: If your friend will be required to become ordained under a different religion to officiate your wedding, then have your friend verify with his/her clergy/church as to whether or not it is permitted, because some religions consider this grounds for excommunication.)