Becoming a Minister?

Question

Do you have to go to ministry school to start a church or ministry

or are there state requirements to becoming an ordained minister

or to get your ministry license if there is such a thing? Thank you

God Bless

Answer 1

When you seek to become a minister, you are ordained by God. I can't understand the concept of a state agency licensing one, because of the "separation of church and state."

Although it is an accepted practice that ministers go to Seminary, which is a Master's Degree level or higher school, not all churches require the degree.

Your calling is of God, and if you are so called, there is nothing man can do to prevent that. You must insure that you are called though. Many who enter the ministry will leave after some time, because it is a lonely and stressful occupation. You must have a shepherd's heart. You must also live a faithful Christian witness.

Answer 2

No
No
No

Not in the US at least. We can't make laws

You SHOULD become a qualified TAX EXEMPT orgnaization

You SHOULD be affiliated with a national Religous Organization

It would be a good idea to get a Degree in Theology or Philosophy

It is ILLEGAL to ask the public at large to give you money for anything, unless you are a LEGAL, TAX EXEMPT private or public ORGANIZATION that does a worthwhile purpose, unless you are a CPA, Lawyers or Licensed Broker

One way to do it is to get affiliated (become ordained) through the Univeral Life Church, which is free, but you can send them some money if you want to be nice.

They are a legal TAX EXEMPT organization, HOWEVER they are NOT lciensed or authorized to make FRANCHISES, so you MUST start your own local BRANCH and get your own LOCAL tax exempt ORG status

You can do this out of your home if it does not violate the zoning laws.

If you hold private gathersings you are generally allowed to use your home so long as it doesn't bother your neighbors.

Once you get going you can rent a building or room or hall in a commercial district.

You must keep books and records.

You are (once approved by both State, County and Fedeeral authorities) exempt from paying Property Taxes, Sales Taxes or Income Taxes on anything RELATED to the ORGIANZATION or RELIGION.

The Organization can buy houses, buildings, be exempt from most taxes, let you live there as a perk, pay you a stipind so long as it doesn't exceed a total of $7,500 a year in real and barter income, although YOU or the ORG may have to pay Social Security tax to YOU and any other "employee" who is staypined over $500 a year.

You may also qualify as an indepdent sub-contractor, but then YOU have to pay Social Security for everything recieved over $500.

Talk with a CPA or Lawyer or EA to get more accurate details.

You might want to consider relocating to Texas, especially places like Houston which has no ZONING laws and have liberal laws on establishing operations in the home.

Answer 3

Some denominations require a seminary degree (Master's degree or better) while others simply require that you've attended a Bible college. Still other denominations have no requirements other than being sure you have been called of God to minister in His Name. Check with the denomination in which you want to minister. They can give you more details.

If you want to talk to your pastor about this, please don't pick Saturday or Sunday -- unless you have absolutely no other choice. He may be very busy or distracted and only able to give you a few minutes. For his sanity's sake, make an appointment midweek if at all possible.

Answer 4

Google the universal life church--you can have a legal minsterial license mailed to you right away for free

Answer 5

First step is to qualify according to the bible=

Qualifications of Bishops

1This is a true saying, If a man desire the office of a bishop, he desireth a good work. 2A bishop then must be blameless, the husband of one wife, vigilant, sober, of good behavior, given to hospitality, apt to teach; 3not given to wine, no striker, not greedy of filthy lucre; but patient, not a brawler, not covetous; 4one that ruleth well his own house, having his children in subjection with all gravity; 5(for if a man know not how to rule his own house, how shall he take care of the church of God?) 6not a novice, lest being lifted up with pride he fall into the condemnation of the devil. 7Moreover he must have a good report of them which are without; lest he fall into reproach and the snare of the devil.

Qualifications of Deacons

8Likewise must the deacons be grave, not double-tongued, not given to much wine, not greedy of filthy lucre; 9holding the mystery of the faith in a pure conscience. 10And let these also first be proved; then let them use the office of a deacon, being found blameless. 11Even so must their wives be grave, not slanderers, sober, faithful in all things. 12Let the deacons be the husbands of one wife, ruling their children and their own houses well. 13For they that have used the office of a deacon well purchase to themselves a good degree, and great boldness in the faith which is in Christ Jesus.

If this is you then see your pastor for the next step. Ordaining

Answer 6

If ever you see the initals..G.P. in the sky, don't assume they mean Go Preach..it may mean Go Plow.

Just make sure it's a true calling of God for you to be a Minister. If it is,,May God Bless You Fully

Answer 7

different denominations have different requirements.
a lot require you attend a seminary. others do not.
the states that I am familiar with have no requirement, other that that if you want non profit status you have to file with the state.
and you have to if you want to legally marry people.
you need to contact your local state government.
or you can be licensed through some of the small independent denominations.

Answer 8

Religion is the ultimate con, it is government protected, tax free and the product they sell doesn't have to be delivered until you reach a place that doesn't exist. No wonder so many people jump on this manured money wagon. I don't think that Osteen idiot got any (bogus) theology degrees and look how much he is raking in.

Answer 9

If you want to perform weddings, you need to be recognized by the state. For any other purpose, you need no state recognition.

However, you do need an education. Go to seminary.

Answer 10

No, but you might have trouble getting a church to except you as their teacher if you can't show that you have studied... Jim