Become an ordained minister, free online ordination assistance, start a church

Study by distance learning for the ministry -- online ordination studies -- and start a church assistance. The Center for Ministerial Education offers online training leading to ordination at no charge. (We do request a suggested $250 donation, if you are able to offer one. However, we can work with those who financial situations are difficult....) This training is in and of itself a ministry and has been pre-paid on behalf of those who are called to serve. However, there will be a very modest administration fee for students studying online for ordination, and the people who will assist you by reviewing your minister distance learning assignments are paid a small stipend. This is addressed in the "Fees" section, below.

Click here to Submit Study Online for Ordination Application Form

"Follow me and I will make you fishers of men." -- Matthew 4:19

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A way to receive online ordination study
for real

There are on-line "ordination mills" that will "declare" you to be ordained for payment of a fee. On some websites, you push a button and, presto, out comes an "ordination" certificiate. However...there's an honest, ethical way to study for the ministry on-line. If you feel called to enter the ministry, we will help, should you seek our training and assistance. We take ministry seriously: it is a sacred calling to live a selfless and exemplary life in service to others.

The Center for Ministerial Education is a separate entity from The Love Church Worldwide, which is a denomination, in a sort of non-traditional way. The Center shares some staff and facilities as co-ministeries as each shares Christ's vision of bringing God's love and peace and prosperity and mental, physical, and spiritual health to all.

You can be ordained quite rapidly, depending on your real-life experience. And, your online study is affordable (only $250) and can even be financed with a partial payment at the outset.

Yes, with our online distance learning study, you can be ordained quickly, yet ethically and respectfully. We've found that most of the applicants for our online ministry classes are later-in-life minister vocations, people seeking a fast-track to legitimate ordination. These are people who've always wanted to be a priest, minister, or a sister and have accumulated enormous theological knowledge and "minister street savvy" and want to apply what they've learned to an online distance learning program that will ordain them fairly quickly. If this describes your situation, The Center for Ministerial Education can help. And, as we mention elsewhere, our online ministerial study leading to ordination is affordable. We just ask that you contribute a small fee for office expenses and to compensate your online mentor.

Our online ordination / ministerial training can lead you down one of two pathways....
Pathway #1:

1) After your ordination, you may start a church of your own, found a spiritual community, you could affiliate with other churches or, if you prefer, you could establish your own church under the "umbrella" of The Love Church.
(The Love Church was formed out of a long-term calling to establish a platform with which independent spiritual communities and / or congregations could affiliate. You could become "The Love Church of Deluth," or "The First Love Church of Denver," or "St. Theresa's of Dallas, a member of The Love Church Worldwide communion." We would then provide you with organizational assistance, continuing ministerial training, fliers, even building you a website, should you need help. We can provide you with site hosting as well. Essentially, joining The Love Church Worldwide communion as an affiliated church, you would receive the recognition and assistance needed to develop and sustain your independent ministry.)

Pathway #2: You as an independent minister

2) Or, after your ministerial studies online and your ordination, you can become an "independent" minister, one who, perhaps, fills in at established churches when the pastor is away. Or, maybe you'll want to become a missionary, or write articles, start a radio ministry.

As an independent minister, you may....

If you choose to pursue studies leading to ordination as an independent minister, your ordination will be legally-recognized nationally and worldwide. While you'll want to check to see if registration is required in your state or nation, you will be able to perform, officiate at services and ceremonies, or serve in the same capacity as any other priest or minister.

You will be able to officiate at weddings
You'll be able to lead funeral services
Baptisms
Do spiritual counseling as befits your training
Visit the sick in hospitals and long term care facilities
You'll be able to "administer" last rites, which are really a final attempt at healing, by the way, called "extreme unction."
You'll be empowered to teach and preach, not to be "above" anyone but to be true to your "call" to spread the good news of the redeeming power of God's peace and love and activity in our lives. We are, after all, creations of and are sons and daughers of God The Creator.

You'll receive additional college credits at no cost

Candidates successfully completing our on-site or online ordination program will also be awarded twenty college credit hours to be applied toward any Saint James College degree, including associates, bachelors, masters, or Ph.D. in any academic field offered: Saint James College

Fees:
Your training is offered for a modest administration fee

Fees must be charged because, while our educational program is endowed and is inexpensive, certain admiminstrative costs are not. Yet, they are modest, easily affordable and can, in some special cases, be financed over a 3-month period. Fees will underwrite our administrative costs and pay a small stipend to those who will assist you with your lessons. But, to be ordained, you will have to successfully complete the study program, whether on-site or on-line. The course of study leading to ordination as a deacon costs $100.00.
Full ministerial study and ordination as a priest or minister for qualified applicants is $250.00.
If you wish to enroll as a member of The Love Church Worldwide Ministerial Council, there is a modest Affiliation Fee of $35.00 annually. This is completely optional. If you are not currently affiliated with a local church as a minister or priest and would like to affiliate with us, this possibility is available to you
There are numerous other services which The Center For Ministerial Educuation provides, from design of business cards, assistance in incorporating as a church, providing website assistance, and providing "formats" for various ceremonies. We charge nominal fees for these services and will be pleased to discuss your particular needs personally.

Will I have to believe as you do?

Oh, no! Each is called according to what she or he has been "given" by God -- and God has different plans for each of us. We will provide you with a historical perspective. We'll train you in the practical ways in which many ministers and priests serve, including rudimentary lessons in prayer, meditation, chaplaincy (outreach), spiritual development, spiritual counseling, and will offer some pointers for operating the organizational side of a ministry.
But, we will not spoon-feed you a creed to which you must subscribe. You will receive a general background into world religious traditions, a historical perspective, and exposure to various belief systems and spiritual practices. Because we come from the world of Christianity, we will look at Christ as savior (from ourselves), redeemer (restoring us to our God-given state of "grace"), rabbi (Teacher), and even as one of the world's most-competent psychologists (although this side of Christ is rarely explored in today's Church).
In the final analysis, you have come to the point of requesting training leading to ordination because the God of your understanding has tapped your heart and whispered to your soul that you should enter ministerial service. (I have called you by name You are mine. Isaiah 43:1.)

Continuing education...

We can provide you with continuing education, offering more comprehensive training in spiritual counseling, parish management, outreach ministry, theology, as well as how to organize and lead groups studying the Bible or other sacred literature, comparative world religions, history or religion, and spiritual healing. Often, you will be able to complete these advanced studies through workshops and, frequently, through mentored internships in your own community. Other courses of study are also being prepared, so please feel free to inquire. 863-441-3000.
An experienced pastor's view of online ordinations' legality -- from a "mainstream" denomination."
Click to read legal opinion

Center for Ministerial Education
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In-depth look at the history of ordination:

Ordination and consecration are ancient rites and traditions, transcending Christianity by thousands of years in the east, in Native tradition, within Judaism (Psalm 110:4, Thou art a priest forever according to the order of Melchizedek), in Islam and, of course, in Christianity.
In Matthew 16:18, Christ declared, "Thou art Peter (i.e., a rock), and upon this rock I will build my church." Roman Catholicism has always interpreted this to mean that Christ knew that his earthly life was approaching an end and so he "ordained" or "consecrated" or "called forth" Simon Peter to become the temporal ruler of this church. Catholics consider Peter to have been the first pope, the head of the church after Christ's crucifixion, and that "office" has been filled in succession, in a direct line from Christ's ordination of Peter, ever since. Literally. Christ is said to have "laid on hands" with Peter, who laid his hands on his successor, St. Linus, then Cletus, St. Anacletus (Cletus), St. Clement I, and on and on, right to the present day.
Today's Roman Catholic bishops and priests, Church of England/Anglican/Episcopalian and some Lutherans have been touched by hands that were touched by hands that were touched by hands...all the way back...in an unbroken chain...to Christ's laying on of the hands with Simon Peter. And, the bishops then laid hands on those who would become priests and ministers.
After Martin Luther spearheaded the Protestant Reformation, things became somewhat muddy. Offshoots of Catholicism continued to ordain priests and ministers in a direct line from Peter, whereas newly-formed congregations "called" ministers to ordination themselves, starting new "lines" of those ordained.
The Center for Ministerial Education honors the ancient significance of ordination and requires that candidates complete a course of study that provides at least the framework of a historical understanding as well as embracing the current ramifications of taking on this responsibility. You'll also learn how to perform ceremonies, and we'll give you the basics of spiritual counseling as well as how to start a church of your own.

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The

Love

Church

Legal Article From Baker Street Investigations, a prominent American legal services agency:
There's at least One Legitimate Online Ministerial Ordination Program

By The Reverend Martin Thomas

Now comes online ordination of priests and ministers.
When I was entering the ministry, I had to complete my masters degree at an established university seminary before they ordained me. Today, though, we have thousands of untrained (or poorly trained) clergy out there running churches and various ministries. This is most prevalent in the roadside Gospel churches, small churches that proclaim that they are the way, the truth, and the light. You see their signs everywhere: We are the road to salvation, We can give you the keys to the Kingdom, and, Satan has already reserved your place in Hell.
Many of the pastors of these churches completed some sort of a rudimentary training program, too often, it seems, emphasizing the Old Testament notion of a dangerous, punishing God who turns people into pillars of salt, smacks whole nations with plagues and pestilence, and even sends conquering pagan armies to sweep away entire countries of Gods own chosen people to be enslaved, raped, tortured, and worked to death.
Many of these churches simply ordain new clergy from within their congregations to go out and continue wreaking this kind of spiritual havoic.
Very sad. But, the picture gets worse. Today, we have internet websites ordaining people as ministers with no training whatsoever.
Oh my.
Some appear to be doing it with profit as a motive. Others, though, appear to be offering ordinations out of sheer insanity. I cant think of any other reason. Can you?
From time-to-time, Im asked if those ordinations are even legal. Yes, apparently, in many jurisdictions. (Check with a good corporate attorney in your community one with a strong knowledge base regarding churches, or at least not-for-profit corporations.) Generally, once ordained, you can baptize (most churches feel anyone can do this in a pinch), marry, bury, preach and, although the thought is scary, most states even permit ordained people to counsel. I'll be honest with you: many trained psychologists and certified social workers are less-than-excellent counselors. And, they have masters degrees or PhD's! The thought of having people lacking any clinical training advising others how to conduct their lives (often instilling the fear of Eternal Condemnation for failure to obey!) is a near-terrifying idea.... But, in most areas, it would be legal.
Because of the constitutionally-mandated separation of church and state, the government has been reluctant to meddle in establishing academic or other criteria for ordination and ministry. Which is, on balance, for the best. But, the result is a chaotic mix of ministries, all claiming to have The Way, things like proving your faith by handling live rattlesnakes, having sex with dozens of people, denying Christmas, beating children, prohibiting wearing of jewelry or dancing or singing or any kind of rejoicing. You know them. Maybe someone in your family or circle of friends has fallen into their clutches.
But, theres something worse, even more insidious. There are the churches who insist that, if you want to avoid Hell, you must give and give and give of your financial resources. You have to support glorious palaces of worship (which need to be heated and air conditioned with your money). And, you have to do this while your children go without proper clothing, sometimes without nutritionally important food.
I know of a huge church that requires that you submit your Personal Financial Statement to them before being inducted...and...instead of tithing...you are required to set up an program whereby your bank account is automatically debited every week, with the money going to the church! If Christ hadn't risen from the dead, he'd be turning over in his grave!
Worse than this, even, are those who do the very thing Christ warned us never to do: they judge others. I find it curious and profoundly sad that we have so many highway intersections in America with competing churches on each corner. And, all claim to be The Way to salvation, and your friends, neighbors, co-workers, and family who attend the other churches are all condemned to eternal damnation.
And, the internet isnt doing a lot to improve the situation, as increasing numbers of untrained (or, as I have said, poorly- trained) people assume positions of leadership as ministers. The internet is, in and of itself, a wonderful gift from God. But, it can be mishandled, like fire, or life-saving prescription drugs.
The internet has done so much to transform our lives, brought so much convenience and so much good to us. Yet, one has to be prudent when taking from the internet financial advice, accepting medical facts and you must use caution and skepticism when looking into online seminary education.
Is there a source for online ministerial studies thats legit and that really gives us a basis for beginning a ministry?
Yes.
In fact, there are probably several, as distance learning becomes more and more a way of obtaining an education. But, the one I know of and can recommend is The Center for Ministerial Education.
This program is nominally associated with The Love Church Worldwide, which is a small-but vibrant and ethical Christian denomination that emphasizes the teachings of Christ as found in the four Gospels, and in the Christian apocrypha, known to and studied by theologians. (I am not a member of this denomination, nor on their payroll!) The founder started his Christian ministry as a Catholic, was associated with secular missionaries, worked for peace and justice, and has served in United Methodist parishes, as well as headed a Christian not-for-profit spiritual counseling and healing center. To the best of my knowledge, their program is legitimate. They offer continuing education, understanding that a fledgling minister is going to go out there and suddenly realize the need for more answers, more training, more mentoring. And, the best part is that their training is highly affordable.. The are endowed, with most of the costs underwritten as a part of their ministry, although they do charge very nominal administrative fees.
If you want to become a priest or minister, my bias is that you should enroll in a reputable on-site seminary. But, if you are coming to the ministry as a late-in-life vocation, or have other reasons for needing or wanting to study online, I would recommend The Center for Ministerial Education. If you want a degree, The fully-chartered Love Church has an ethical and effective online seminary program at its Saint James College.
They're small enough to get to know you and be truly helpful at a personal level. They'll give you credit for your life experience. Theyll share their knowledge of Gods love. They wont fill you with bad theology. Theyll excite you about learning more and more as you go along. And, youll have at least a solid rudimentary basis for going into the real world and starting to serve (yes, serve others!) as a minister. They'll even grant you an honorary bachelors of divinity.
NOTE: The Rev. Marty Thomas is a 30-year veteran pastor with the United Methodist denomination.

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Seminary Disclaimer and Release of Liability Statement

The Love Church Worldwide, Inc., its Center for Ministerial Education, and its Saint James College offer Christ-centered New Thought education as the main function of our worldwide ministries. The followingt is legally- binding release made by you through your action of submitting an application form or submitting an email application or submitting an application through the U.S. Postal Service to The love Church Worldwide, Inc. and/or our Saint James College. Our Ministries and educational programs are not regulatory agencies and we do not recommend, endorse, nor conduct any screenings as to the competency of any of our staff, advisors, faculty, adjunct faculty associated with any of our ministries, seminary, or educational programs. We do make every effort to insure that information and education is accurate, however, no representations or warranties expressed or implied, are made by The Love Church Worldwide, Inc., nor The Center for Ministerial Study, nor Saint James College. It is the student's / applicant's responsibility to assess quality and competency of the Church, seminary program and/or college and staff, faculty and advisors. It is fully understood that your typed name anywhere on this application, or any other application, represents your signature under law.

By submitting this application and/or enrolling you agree to this liability statement. Furthermore, you agree that, in consideration for any education or learning opportunity provided to you, you will assume and take on yourself all of the risks and responsibilities in any way associated with your assessment of the quality and competency of the education that you have freely chosen to receive from The Love Church, Inc., The Center for Ministerial Study, and/or Saint James College. In addition, you fully release The Love Church, Inc., The Center for Ministerial Study, and/or Saint James College and all of it's staff, board of directors, directors, officers, employees, faculty, advisors , ministers and agents from any and all liability, claims or actions that may arise to yourself, in connection with your decision to enroll, attend, or participate in any way, with any of The Love Church, Inc., The Center for Ministerial Study, and/or Saint James College. You recognize fully, that this release means that you are giving up among other things your rights to sue The Office of the Presiding Pastor or Director of The Love Church, Inc., The Center for Ministerial Study, and/or Saint James College, it's staff, board members, directors, officers, employees, faculty, advisors, ministers, agents or anyone associated with the above-described ministries, for damages, injuries or losses you may incur through any of the the services or educational programs that you may receive. You also fully understand this release binds your heirs, executors, administrators and assigns, as well as yourself and your dependent's). You further agree to defend and indemnify The Love Church, Inc., The Center for Ministerial Study, and/or Saint James College, it's staff, board members, directors, officers, employees, faculty, advisors, ministers, agents or anyone associated with the above-described ministries and pay reasonable attorney and defense expenses associated with any legal action initiated by you in any jurisdiction, regularory agency, or court.

Refund Policy

Refunds of tuition will be given for any reason if the student withdraws within fourteen days of submitting this application for enrollment. In case of death or involuntary call to military duty, The Love Church Worldwide, Inc., The Center for Ministerial Education, and/or Saint James College will refund 100% of the Love Offer and/or tuition payments received, if such event takes place anytime prior to the day of granting of degree or ordination.