How I Have Made My ULC Ordination More Legitimate
. GREETINGS fellow ULC ministers. Today I wish to share with you, what I have done to show that my ordination is more legitimate than the proverbial quick process of an online ULC ordination. I do not wish to suggest that our ULC ordination is not legitimate. It's just the perception.... the stigma of how some people view our choice of ordination. For instance, you may walk into a county clerk's office to officiate a wedding ceremony, and are informed that this office does not recognize ULC ordination and frankly, we do not take them seriously. Have a nice day.
WHY do people choose ordination with the ULC? For a number of reasons. Perhaps you don't have the time to attend a lengthy seminary program. In addition to that, you didn't have $10,000 plus to pay for a seminary education. As such, the Universal Life Church was a handy outlet to accomplish a quick and painless ordination. The ordination is free for crying out loud. So how can we lend more legitimacy to this ordination?
FOR me, I purchased a large three ring binder. And any time I complete a study related to being a minister, I place it in the binder so that anyone who wishes to see my ministry qualifications, may inspect the contents of the binder. If I complete a Bible study, I place it in the binder when it's been completed. If I make notes on how to write a sermon, it goes in the binder. I have notes on weddings and funerals in my binder. I keep notes on pastoral counseling methods and the formula for administering absolution after hearing a confession. I even have information on methods for hospital visitation and social services offered in the community.
THE binder serves as your portfolio of your ministerial qualifications. Certainly the Universal Life Church has a number of books which they offer in the bookstore that may serve as clerical instruction for ministry. Always be sure to keep old Sermons that you have preached and never throw them away. As you move ahead in your study, research, and note taking then you have perfect verification in the binder of your skills and abilities as an ordained minister. The New Testament admonishes us to Study to show thyself approved unto God, a workman that needs not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth. I hope this helps someone out there.
Bishop Howard - Peace
