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Legally Ordained Minister and Legally Licensed Minister What does it mean? There is a lot of confusion when people hear the words "Legally Ordained" or "Legally Licensed" Minister. People presume that the government somehow has control of either process when that is not the case. The legality of both Ordination and Licensing comes from the constitution and our Freedom of Religion. The government has no control over either Ordination or Licensing. Both come from the religious organization, be it a church or ministry. What is the difference between Ordination and Licensing? In general a church or ministry can grant either or both. Ordination usually grants authority to do all Christian services, however, the religious organization that grants it can restrict the authority it gives. Licensing can also grant authority to do all Christian services, but again, the religious organization can restrict the authority it is giving. The religious organization can also grant either for a specific amount of time, and may have authority to cancel either for various reasons if that is their policy. World Christianship Ministries has a policy of using both terms on the Ordination Certificate and granting the same authority for both. We grant authority to do all Christian services including Marriage (see more information below on doing Marriages), Baptism, funerals, and begin your own independent Church or Ministry if you wish. Ordination/Licensing is for life as long as your work is Christian Only, you do not do anything illegal with the credentials, and do not overstep the authority we have given. In instances like the things just mentions, World Christianship Ministries has the right to revoke Ordination and Licensing. However, out of the 200,000+ people we have ordained over the last 36 years, we have only had to cancel ordination for just a few people. So it is not something you really have to worry about. Concerning Doing Marriages Since a Marriage Ceremony is a legal, as well as a religious process, the states have a little authority on how Marriages are done in each state. All states usually use wording like all "ordained or licensed ministers" can do weddings, or words to that effect. Most do not require you to file a copy of your ordination before doing weddings, but never presume that is the case in your state, or another state if you go out of your state to do a weddings. So, in a few states you MUST file a copy of your credentials with the proper office before doing a wedding, and that state might assign you a code to use on the Marriage License when you are completing the minister portion after the ceremony. A couple of states require more than just filing a copy of your Ordination. For the specific Laws for doing Marriages in your state, visit our Marriage Laws in Your StateMarriage Minister Handbook if you are going to be doing weddings. This is a "straight to the point" handbook based on over 2,000 weddings performed by the administrator of World Christianship Ministries. Also visit our Weddings Page for much more information on doing Weddings. Take our Guided Site Tour to Learn More About WCM Take the time to learn more about World Christianship Ministries by taking our Guided Site Tour which takes you through the important pages that explains all about what we offer. Just follow the Red Guided Site Tour buttons from page to page. page. If you are going to do a wedding in another state, it is a good practice to call the local Marriage License Office in the County where you are going to do the wedding, tell them you coming in from out of state, and ask them if you need to file a copy of your credentials with them first, or meet any other requirement before doing the ceremony. Doing weddings is very rewarding. It is also a good way to make extra money either full time or part time.       |
Questions about Ordination or Marriage Laws in your state? Call Us at: (559) 297-4271 or E-Mail us at: wcm@wcm.org |
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