Frequently Asked Questions
Ordination and Ministry Questions
Is online ordination legal?
Yes. That does not however mean that one could take their credentials and walk into a certain Church
and
expect that officials of that Church will recognize your ordination.
How do I become Ordained?
Step 1. Go to the main website www.ucfm.org
Step 2. Join the Evangelistic Association.
Step 3. Wait for your membership application to be reviewed for approval.
Step 4. After being approved - Login to your private office.
Step 5. Enroll in the Discipleship studies.
Step 6. Complete the Discipleship studies.
Step 7. Read and agree with the terms and conditions for ordination.
Are UCFM Ordinations Recognized in Canada?
The UCFM faces some of the greatest of difficulties in Canada. Actually I am not aware of anywhere else
in
the world that there have been more problems with Canada.
Religious freedoms in Canada are very restrictive under government control. The UCFM would have to
make an
application to each province of Canada and go thru great amounts of "red-tape" additionally.
This is not only true of U.S. based faiths - it is also true of Canadian born faiths. For example there is a
ministry in Canada that is similar to the UCFM and of the last that I knew it was only recognized by
the
Canadian government in only one province, and is attempting to move more toward working
within the U.S.
The current situation is the UCFM would have to do a lot of work in Canada, meeting many governmental
controlling regulations, but worst of all is the wait of approximately 3-5 years going thru mountains
of
paperwork, expense with a 50/50 chance of approval - and this must be done separately in
every province.
This does not appear hardly fair in that we are an established purely Christian Ministry existing in almost
every corner of the world. It is discouraging that an established Christian organization as the UCFM
is
having a harder time getting established in Canada than certain Islamic or non-Christian faiths.
We have been seeking a break-though to this gridlock with the Canadian Government praying that we
can work
in partnership with an already established Canadian Church/Ministry to recognize UCFM members and credentials as
that organization would be already recognized in all the provinces of
Canada.
All that said - I still am not deterred to eventually make a break-thru ---- THAT may well come as lodged
protests from me making a call to all the UCFM joined with other Ministries to write certain entities
within the Canadian government for relief, in the call for religious freedom outside of excessive
governmental control.
Now all this must be seen in proper perspective as well. A minister, biblically speaking is a "Servant" of
God. And no GOVERNMENT on the face of the earth has any authority over Christ himself or his
servants.
Jesus is, was and will always be King of Kings and Lord of Lords, regardless of who might
think otherwise.
The primary issue that the Canadian government regulates is administering "Civil Marriage" ceremonies
on
behalf of the "State" who issues the couple a "License" or permission of the state to enter into a
marriage.
And that is the control that the Canadian Government regulates - "Marriage" in
recognizing one organization
over another. If your going to perform a Civil Marriage you have to be
licensed of the state to do so, or
in other words you and your covering ministry must have the approval of the Canadian government.
That is the only issue that any government has control over. There is no government on earth that can forbid one
from serving God!
The question now comes are you are Minister or not if UCFM ordained (recognizes you) even if your
government
will not grant you permission to perform governmental civil marriages. I believe the
answer is YES.
Government recognition is not the true test of the Ministry or the Church. GOD IS!!!
The Canadian Government is not forbidding you from proclaiming the Gospel of Jesus Christ - nor from
Baptizing others, nor from Communion, nor from prayer, nor from Bible Study or gathering to
gather as
the Body of Christ, nor from annointing or visiting the sick. They are not saying - nor do I believe the
Canadian Govt. say your NOT an ordained minister. What they are saying is they will not allow you to administer
a CIVIL Marriage on behalf of the Government.
I will tell you a short story of a UCFM Ordained Minister in India whose problem is not performing
marriage.
It is just being a Christian - could cost him his life! Yet, he serves God - not bowing down
to what his
government forbids. He and some converts have to meet in the jungle - where now
their obstacle is being
attacked by tigers. This man is suspected by the government of being a
Christian leader, and has been taken
in by the police and beaten on several occassions for
SERVING GOD.
Keep up the faith and know we are working on a solution were the Canadian government will ease up on
the
issue of Religious Freedoms, and know you are in our deepest of prayers.
What is the legal age for ordination?
18 years of age.
Ordination of Homosexuals?
The UCFM will not ordain unrepentant practing homosexuals.
Yes, Homosexuality is a sin and just like any other sins, and can be forgiven. To be forgiven one must
strive to overcome and forsake their ways. This would mean admitting it to be a sin, and seeking
forgiveness, known as REPENTANCE.
That still does not mean a homosexual cannot attend Church or seek the Lord - or be fellowshipped.
It just means the UCFM will not ordain to the Ministry those openly rebelling against God in non-repentance and
who openly proclaim it is not a sin.
It has to do with Ministry.
What are the requirements for ordination?
The agreement for the UCFM-Evangelistic Association is located at:
http://www.ucfm.org/ucfm/agreement.php
The terms and conditions to Ordination are located at
http://www.ucfm.org/ucfm/ea/Ordain_Terms.php
The terms and conditions of ordination may be changed / updated so check with the above links regularly.
Do you ordain Women?
Yes. We have a great study on this issue, which is available Click Here for
more information.
What can I do to get started in the Ministry
Start being involved in all the churches. Join a local council of Churches, serve in Soup Kitches, and helping
in local Charity events - in other words get some recognition that you truly are a servant of God. Attend local
ministry training and classes - continue your education with the idea of getting a degree. Find local
Home/Cell Churches and become involved in them. Join will local Prayer groups or Start one. Help distribute
food to the homeless. Author and Publish a book, write a local news article about the homeless, or Christian
issues. Be one who is willing to serve others IN serving God and others will see and recognize you as a
Servant of God. The main issue is that our Ordination are an Entry Level Credentials - BUT not a finished
product - Continue to grow and add more credentials to your existing credentials - such as attending a Christian
College or Seminary to earn a real degree.
Offer to assist the Church in any way they need (NOT just because you are an ordained Minister). But because
you are a servant, this might be in the role as an Assistant Pastor.
If you're a female realize some Churches are doctrinally stuck that Women cannot serve God. What I am getting
at that some Churches/ Ministries might not give you the time of day only because your female...........DONT LET
THIS STOP YOU!!!
Most existing Churches already have a Pastor, and if they are looking for one they probably are going to select
one from their own rank and file. Fully recognize that just because you have ordination credentials that the
local Church is not going to set asside their organization and recognize you. This true of almost any Church.
For example if you're a Baptist Minister you would not expect that you could walk into the local Catholic Church
and expect them to put you on the payroll immediately.
Each Church has its own way of choosing a Pastor. Some require that the candidate be a long term member of
their Church (not a Newcomer) and some require that you be a graduate of their seminary with a 4-6 year college
degree... We must realize that they governing body of a Church is not going to move aside because we walk into
their office holding ordination credentials.
Build your recognition and creditbility before you walk in to a Church and lay down your credentials of
Ordination and expect that they are going recognize you.
This is just the beginning! You now have Ordination Credentials - but now it is up to you to build up your
resume adding a college degree perhaps, and a list of credible references in a resume that can be referred to
showing that you truly are their to serve their Church.
Are other family members covered under my ordainment?
Only the person ordained is recognized as a UCFM minister - not other family members.
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