Who Can Become An Ordained Minister
You do not have to be affiliated with any particular congregation in order to be an ordained minister who is vested with ministerial status. However, if a church follows any type of formal commissioning or licensing, then according to the social security administration it does need to be recognized by that particular church.
You may be thinking that it sounds like a fairly simple process, when in actuality it is not quite that easy. If you have ever wondered how to become an ordained minister, then you should know up front that it is not the same for every denomination, but there are many general similarities. The first step to becoming an ordained minister is the same for all denominations and requires a seminary degree. To be admitted into the seminary program, you need to be sponsored by your denomination.
Generally, to get started you may want to speak with your pastor or priest. Most often they have a “sense” about your sincerity and calling, meaning if they feel you would do well as an ordained minister, then you will normally go before a board in your local church in hopes of getting their support. This is still quite a way from obtaining an ordination license but as they say, that first step is the hardest.
The next step is for your local church to recommend you to a denominational committee that handles ordinations. This committee is normally of a regional level in your diocese, or whatever your particular church calls it. Once they interview you, they will decide on whether or not to sponsor you for the seminary, bringing you one step closer to becoming an ordained minister. If they do, then you may also be assigned a mentor and you may have to report to them periodically about your progress. Some denominations also run police reports at this time and may choose to have you screened by a psychologist.
While there is no actual handbook on how to become an ordained minister, there are certain processes that are followed, though not the same in every church, many of them are very similar. After an initial interview with the committee they will decide whether or not to continue. For some, the process may end abruptly for any number of reasons. If a person is lacking in people skills or only wants an ordination license so they will have a certificate to hang on the wall, then these are not conducive traits for a life of service to God and they will likely be rejected. The quest to become an ordained minister may also end quickly if the candidate has a criminal record of a record of an abusive nature. This is not only a case of not being qualified; those types of backgrounds may pose a legal risk to the church.
By Religion & Spirituality Editor
