*NOTE: While this story is true, names, addresses, and particular details have been changed for obvious purposes. 

With respect to the common concern that is being voiced about the problems that the church is facing, let me share with you a recent experience of a friend of mine.

While on the internet my friend came across a pastor who he thought had some interesting comments. This pastor had the title of Rev. This means that he is either a self-proclaimed minister or he has been ordained in an official capacity by an organization that has the legal right to declare someone a minister.

Theoretically, an ordination gives the ordained party the approval of an established community to minister in the Church. From the standpoint of the government, this party is then recognized as a “religious worker.” Once the approval is official, the newly ordained Rev. has many benefits, among those is the tax exempt status with regards to housing allowance (whatever bills you pay with respect to your home, you don’t get taxed on). In the Christian church, they are recognized as a minister of the Gospel of Jesus Christ and can lead, pastor, or even start a church.

My friend went to the website of the organization that ordained this individual and noticed that they take ordination applications online. Here is what it said:

“Get ordained fast and easily, and begin your own ministry! As a legally ordained reverend, you will be able to conduct weddings, perform funerals, baptisms and other functions of the ministry.”

This was a bit confusing to him since he did not know anyone from the ordination committee and they did not know him, yet they were going to allow him to apply?

I know what you are thinking—there must be a catch. Money has to be involved somehow. But this is not the case. The website says:

“There is no charge or obligation connected to your ordination. Ordination is for life, without charge . . .”

“Well,” you might say, ”This cannot be that easy. How would this group know whether or not I have been truly called into ministry?” The answer is that your ordination will be reviewed by a team of pastors (who no doubt were ordained by the same organization) who will carefully and prayerfully consider your application. Here is what they say:

“Your ordination request will be reviewed by pastoral staff.”

Just in case you thought that this was a little fishy, the committee adds,

“Please understand that ’instant online ordinations’ do not exist.” The internet cannot ordain you. Your ordination request must be reviewed before your ordination can legal. You cannot be given your credential automatically by a computer!”

Phew! And I thought that this smelled of the famous St. Peter’s Basilica ordinations of the 16th century. No, this is serious business folks. We are talking about the church.

Oh one more thing. I forgot to finish the sentence earlier. This would be a good time to do so for those of you who fear you still might not be qualified for ordination into ministry. 

“There is no charge or obligation connected to your ordination. Ordination is for life, without charge and without question of faith.”

No question of faith? What does this ordination committee review? I guess they just make sure that your name is spelled right and that you are a real person. Hold that thought. No, scratch that. They don’t check to see if you are a real person.

Here is the response that my friend got within an hour of his application (with some alterations to protect the parties involved):
_________________

Butch Peters

1239 Morton Rd
Leslie TX

has been ordained as a minister of the
________ ____ Church, USA.

Date of Ordination: 1/29/2008
by ________ _______, Pastor

What you did not notice was that after prayerful consideration by the pastoral ordination committee of this Church, my friend just ordained his dog. Rev. Butch now has the legal right to pastor or start a church and is tax exempt from all housing.

Amen Butch.

Folks, this is serious stuff. And it is not really funny. There are many people out there leading God’s people who simply are not qualified in any way. They are running and starting churches. They are shepherding the flock of God. Ordination is serious business (or it should be). There has got to be a higher accountability.

If you want to be a minister, great. God speed. But be willing to go through the necessary training and approval process. Cracker Jack ordinations are immoral.

*UPDATE: While looking over this website, I did find that you can “upgrade” your ordination for a certain amount of money. Prior to the Reformation, there was a practice in the church called Simony. The church was selling the office of bishop (elder) in order to fund building projects. The name “Simony” was taken from the account in Acts where Simon the Magician sought to purchase the power of the Holy Spirit for money. 

Acts 8:18-24 18 Now when Simon saw that the Spirit was bestowed through the laying on of the apostles’ hands, he offered them money, 19 saying, “Give this authority to me as well, so that everyone on whom I lay my hands may receive the Holy Spirit.” 20 But Peter said to him, “May your silver perish with you, because you thought you could obtain the gift of God with money!

While the Reformation brought about a denouncement of such practices by both Catholics and Protestants, it would seem that many in the Protestant church have gotten over their bitterness. (Or they just don’t have knowledge or concern about church history—you choose.)

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