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 God’s 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 can’t think of any other reason. Can you? From time-to-time, I’m 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, there’s 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 isn’t 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 that’s “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 affordable. The are endowed, 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 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. They’ll share their knowledge of God’s love. They won’t fill you with bad theology. They’ll excite you about learning more and more as you go along. And, you’ll 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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