Becoming an ordained Minister and becoming a Priest/ess may be related, but can often be very different things. Becoming legally ordained can be done in a variety of ways, and for a variety of motives. Becoming a Priest/ess is more a matter of listening within and hearing the Call, and then answering it. This compelling Call is the very voice of the Divine, calling the priest/ess to Their service. It is this inner Calling to the Priesthood that makes one a Priest/ess, not the legal paperwork of ordination.
Many people who feel this inner spiritual call also decide to seek legal recognition so that they can more easily fulfill the requirements of their calling. Many Wiccans have sought ordination to perform legal handfastings for members of their covens. Others have sought legal ordination to “legitimize” themselves to government institutions for a variety of reasons: For permits to hold rituals in public places; to minister spiritually to coven members who are in hospitals or correctional facilities; or for letters written in support of a fellow pagan who is experiencing discrimination.
This process can be as simple or as involved as you wish. There are many pagan groups who have gone through the excruciating process of becoming legally recognized as a “church” within the U.S., thereby allowing them the legal “privileges” it entails. One legal ability of a recognized church is the ability to train and ordain members into the clergy. A quick search on the internet, particularly pagan networking sites such as the Witches Voice, (www.witchvox.com) will turn up many such options. Each group will have it’s own criteria for membership, and the training required to become legally ordained in their tradition. If you consider ordination through this route, take the time to research each group carefully to ensure that your calling is compatible with theirs.
Another route that many have chosen is to get their legal credentials through the Universal Life Church. (www.ulc.net) The ULC is founded in the idea of religious freedom, and they believe that the state and federal government should not stand between a person and their Calling from Divine. According to the Universal Life Church handbook that I received upon ordination in 1995, they “believe that when a man requests to be ordained, the he/she is already ordained of God, according to the Bible. In St. John 15:16, it says that God called you and has ordained you.” (P.13) They also believe that “every person has the right to determine his/her own faith and creed according to conscience.” (p.11) The founder of the church, Rev. Kirby J. Hensley wrote, “I believe that every living person is a part of the Universal Life, and when they become conscious that they are a part of this Universal Life, they will look for people that are like-minded.” (P.2) The church is founded on this idea that people are called directly by the Universal Life force(Deity), and the government should not interfere that path of service.
The Universal Life Church will offer ordination regardless of faith or motive. Several years ago, the ULC went online, and began offering legal Ministerial Credentials at the click of a mouse. The ULC will instantly ordain anyone who asks, based on this idea that if you seek ordination, you are *already ordained* directly by God. However, this instant ordination has had some unintended consequences. Unfortunately, the website does not go very far in attempting to explain their philosophy of ordination as outlined above. The ease of ordination has attracted people who wish to use ministerial credentials for ulterior motives. Some have become ordained seeking discounts or privileges of the clergy. Some are merely looking for the ego-trip. They are not acting on that urgent inner sense of being Called.
I was Called by the Goddess in the summer of 1988 in an experience that changed my life. The Lady came into me and spoke with me. She called me directly into Her service, telling me that I was to be Her teacher. That was the moment of my ordination. It was an experience that ripped me away from the security of all I once knew, and set me on an entirely new path in life. From that point, my life and my actions became devoted to the path of the Divine. From that moment on, I became Her Priestess. I now minister to all who seek my aid, according to Her will.
I received my legal credentials from the ULC in 1995. At that point I had been the priestess of a circle of pagans who gathered together for Sabbats for a few years. Unfortunately, one of our circle became incarcerated. I sought legal recognition as a Minister so I could perform a healing ceremony in the correctional facility. I also wrote letters to the facility on his behalf, so he could use supplies such as incense or feathers in his cell.
After I got my credentials, my Circle gathered for an Ordination ceremony. It was a beautiful ceremony that allowed me to publicly affirm the vows that I had sworn to the Goddess so many years before, and to have the public affirmation of my Calling. Unfortunately, New York State doesn’t recognize that kind of Calling, and it also doesn’t recognize Ordination through the Universal Life Church. I wasn’t allowed to perform the healing ceremony before he was moved out of my area. Fortunately, my vowed service to the Lord and Lady doesn’t depend usually on legal credentials. My primary service is a teaching ministry, and I don’t need legal recognition to talk to people who come to me for help.
Every Wiccan, by virtue of their being directly responsible for their own spiritual life and behavior, is already their own Priest/ess. Acting on your own behalf, there is usually nothing to be gained from obtaining legal ordination. Being a High Priest/ess means heeding the Call of the Divine to minister to others. This call frequently means dedicating your life to the path of service to the Gods and service to others. Answering this Call means developing and maintaining a close, personal level of communication with Deity. The Priest/ess tries to become a clear channel for the Divine wisdom and inspiration to flow. In this manner, they act and speak on behalf of the Gods. This takes great personal dedication and commitment, and cannot be granted with a certificate.
If you feel drawn to becoming a Priest/ess or getting ordained as a Minister, search your heart carefully and consider your motives for doing so. There are various levels of commitment that can be expressed with these titles. It’s up to each person to know best how their calling should be answered.
~Flame RavenHawk
November 9, 2002