How do I become legally ordained as a Wiccan Reverend?

Question

I would like info on how to register as a legal Reverend. I live in IL. I'm currently forming my own coven and I want to be Tax Exempt, but I need to be a legal reverend for that. Everyone keeps sending me to the Universal Life Church, isn't there another way?

I'm not looking to dodge taxes, just get the supplies for our new coven covered by tax exemptions like all other religious institution.

The PULC is not legal in all states.

Last time I checked, they weren't recognized in NY.

Wow, Steve T really got the wrong impression about me. I just wanted to know a reputable program to get ordained since I have been studying for eight years. I believe no one is an expert, Yet, I do believe I have something to offer in ministry. I'd like to eventually get tax exempt status, but that is not the only reason. Yes I am Wiccan.

Answer 1

You can start your own pagan church; a coven is a perfectly legitimate religious group to make into a legal church.

If that's a bit too much hassle, you can try to affiliate your coven with Covenant of The Goddess (http://www.cog.org); they ordain people who are associated with them & follow their charter. However, you may still have to go through the paperwork & hassles of becoming a legal 501(c)3 religious organization to get the tax status.

Amber K's book "Covencraft" has some good info on how to start your own pagan church. Also, you can go to the IRS site (http://www.irs.gov/) and look around for the right forms & methods.

A small coven that wants to be a church is no different, legally, from a small cluster of Christians living in an isolated place, who want to create a church for their families & children. The laws involved aren't that complex, and the forms have been changing over time to be less Christian-biased.

The criteria the IRS uses to decide whether a group is a church can be found at: http://www.t-tlaw.com/cf-14.htm
Note that a church doesn't have to meet all of those details; they are guidelines, not a checklist.

Amber K's book gives some description of how a Wiccan coven matches those descriptions. And http://www.crown.org/pastorscorner/article.asp?ID=31 gives some comments on tax-exempt status of churches.

Whether or not you decide to start a church, looking at sites about creating or managing a church can help you understand the tax issues involved.

Answer 2

If you start your own tradition the ULC is your only option. The ULC is a legal recognized church in all 50 states.

The only other way is to find an existing coven or tradttion and go through their training and that usually takes a year and a day.

Besides, paying taxes is not that big a deal.. Just pay them already.

If your only reason to be an ordained minister is to dodge taxes, that is a bad reason. Even pagan ministers serve the people.

If you just want to dodge taxes I suggest you reconsider your beleifs.

Being ordained minister is mainly to be legally able to perform marriege ceremonies, and tax exemption is not easy to achieve even for Christian churches.

If however you learn from an existing tradition already established, they can guide you through all the legal hassles as they have already fought these battles.

Correct me if I am wrong, but you want what you want and do not want to follow any rules like the rest of us have to. That my dear is not the Wiccan way. Of course you did not say you are Wiccan.

Another thing to think about ministers are not tax exempt, they are considered self employed. Only recognized charitable organazations whose soul purpose of existing is religious can be tax exempt or a church. To be tax exempt you have to prove your sole purpose is religion.

Answer 3

There are all kinds of ways to scam a reverend title online. The Universal Life Church is the easiest. Here is a similar wiccan site: http://www.workingwitches.com/. They've got mystical names like Lady Raven Moonshadow and funky titles like High Elder and Arch Priestess. Getting a tax exempt status is a little more difficult than that. The government doesn't give that away so easily. There are only a handful of Wiccan groups that have achieved that status and they are rather large. (I can only think of 2). Most opt to gain "corporation" status instead. It's much easier.

Answer 4

Ecclesia Beate Luporum is looking for Covens to align with them, They are also accepting applications for ordainment. They're in Utica, NY and legally recognized in the state and with the fed gov't as a church of Paganism

Answer 5

Cherry Hill Seminary School focuses on Paganism and Wicca.

http://cherryhillseminary.org/

The Black Forest Clan is a Wiccan Tradition that has a 5 year training program that legally ordains clergy members as well.

Answer 6

The Universal Life Church isn't legal in all states either. They say they are but, if you go through them (which it's free) and then go down to your local registar's office with what they give you they probably won't take it. What you need is an organization to ordain you and then go register with your local registar's office. Then you can legally perform marriages, etc. As far as what organization, that's up to you. Most seem to prefer the easy way with getting on a website and doing it for free or paying $10. Which is what you'd be doing if you go through something like the ULC. The other way would be to go through a real seminary that offers a program that will lead to them ordaining you when you've finished it. Like, Our Lady of Enchantment, Cherry Hill Seminary, etc. I personally wouldn't (and didn't) go through the ULC. They'll "ordain" anybody that is willing to take 2 minutes of their time to fill in the blanks on their site.

Answer 7

I would suggest you contact a local organisation.

In Australia, we have the Pagan Alliance and Pagan Awareness Network. I think the UK and US may have an org called the Pagan Federation.

Alternatively, grab a Pagan magazine from your local newsagent and check out the classifieds. There should be some info there of the organisations you can contact.

Be aware, it's not a tax dodge. You'll be setting yourself up as a reputable person, and will be expected to behave likewise.

Greenie
RC Pagan Alliance, Australia

Answer 8

all churches are tax exempt upon formation if they follow the guide lines set forth by the IRS, you can use the ULC to get ordained and www.ulchq.com does offer a church charter , ($60.00 a year and you report to them , you need not file a yearly tax form for your temple/church) after you get the charter you fill out the forme to get an EIN number from the IRS then you can open up a bank account

Answer 9

Hmm. Well, I was in Virginia Beach for a while. If you attend the Drum Circles you can find a High Priest or High Priestess through it. Find either, and they can take you to the next step.

Otherwise, you can try http://www.witchvox.com or org whichever... It can maybe help. I can't from here.

Answer 10

What's wrong with the PULC? I got mine there and it's legal