Becoming an ordained minister online?

Question

I was looking into becoming an ordained minister online. I looked at two sites ULC.org and Compu-church, are either or both of these legitimite? Also I would not do it for this purpose but I found a website that said ministers get tax breaks and discounts, anyone know what they are talking about? I am getting it in order to perform a ceremony but just curious about the other stuff because I do run a charity organization.

Answer 1

Ulchq.com is the actual Universal Life Church that started this whole practice. From what the site claims, their founder was disillusioned with the Pentecostal Church so he founded his own. Anyone can be a minister regardless of their beliefs or not.

This morning I went on the same site you mentioned and ordained myself, but then I found another site www.ulcseminary.org which is connected to the ULCHQ and they were saying that the ulc.org, aka themonastery.org isn't recognized by headquarters and not the folks you'd want to deal with.

As other posters said, churches get tax breaks. Many people confused the two in the past and the IRS took notice when all types of people were getting themselves ordained. If you are performing ceremonies everyday in your own "church" location and keeping a log of them you can claim yourself as a minister, but as somebody with a certificate that's considered to be cheating taxes.

But there are some states and cities that make it harder for ULC ministers to officiate ceremonies. So you'd have to get the "Letter of Good Standing" that they offer as a form of proof if the Marriage Bureau in your area is giving your problems.

Don't know anything about "compu-church" though. I'd just stick to the ULCHQ because they're the first one and have dealt with the legal stuff since 1959 instead of the other ones that have been popping up for taxes or whatever.

Also, performing a ceremony isn't just about making them say the oaths. As the officiant, it's your responsibility to get the marriage certificate to the authorities or else the wedding is void. Some places it's 5, others it's 20. So just be on top of your stuff and get the right paperwork done.

Good Luck.

Answer 2

All ordinations offered on-line are essentially scams. All they want is your money. You could be an atheist, and they would still ordain you. As far as being "legally ordained" ... in the United States there is no such thing. Church ordination is not something regulated by the government. Now, in most states, if you can show proof of being ordained by a church, and proof of actually being a MEMBER of that church, you can go to your local court house and obtain authorization to perform weddings. But even that is more of a courtesy the state affords churches. When an ordained minister performs a wedding, he signs and dates the marriage license given to him by the couple, and then sends it in to the court that issued the license. It is only PROVISIONALLY legal until the judge signs it and has it filed. Then it becomes permanently legal. If you want to actually be ordained as a minister, find out what your church requires as far as training. Then, follow that path. Don't try to cheat on this.

Answer 3

Ministers do not usually get tax breaks, churches do. The Universal Life Church has been ruled legitimate by some courts, not legitimate by others. Like you, I got ordained by the Universal Life Church for personal reasons, but I have never used it for tax purposes and have no intent of it.

The ULC does not require any money to be ordained, although you have the option to buy an ordination certificate.

Answer 4

Becoming A Reverend Online

Answer 5

I have 2 friends who are both ordained ministers through the Universal Life Church.

Both of these friends have performed many legitimate marriages, signing off on the legal documents and everything.

Believe it or not, the ULC is official.

Answer 6

You know, I found several of those online ordinations, and honest to, er, heaven, I considered sending a check and posing as a fundamentalist preacherman. I watch Jimmy and old clips of Oral and the nitwits at Trinity Broadcasting, for acting tips. I changed my mind because I am an atheist, a fact known to more than a few chaps in my profession, the classical theatre. Too bad, maybe, 'cause I'd make a rousing preacherman, and I've heard it's a helluva great way to meet women. 'Sister, Jaysus wants you to share your love with me, and I carry an unused Trojan in my wallet, amen."

Answer 7

ULC is legit, but you can't do a ULC ceremony in New York City.

the group that ordained me required over 10 years and crap.

Answer 8

I don't know but the person who would know is stone rolled clean away, you can find him on my contacts page...He's off-line for a couple weeks which wouldn't give you much immediate help but the other person you can ask if he has any ideas (even though he is ordained by a church) is Father K.

Answer 9

Those two are not legitimate, but the Church of Spiritual Humanism is. You should get ordained there http://spiritualhumanism.org/ordained.php

Answer 10

ministers per say don't get tax breaks. an organization is more likley to get tax benefits than an individuals. there are some individuals who funnel their personal finances under the guise of the church to gain benefit. Doesn't matter which one you choose. They are equally legitimate for the simple fact that unless God pops up and lays down a specific criteria, your ordination as legit as any other.