Ordination & Ph.D. Opportunities

Discussion in 'Off-Topic Discussions' started by Guest, Apr 27, 2003.

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  1. Guest

    Guest Guest

  2. roysavia

    roysavia New Member

    I was ordained by ULC a couple of years ago. Some of my colleages at the office did the same. We didn't take the ordination seriously because it was done on line - no questions asked, no assignments and no examinations.

    I now see that there are several other theology schools doing the same. Can any of these sites be taken seriously?
     
  3. Guest

    Guest Guest

    The ULC seems to have sprouted various off shoots, etc. The pictures above on the W. Christianship Ministries site are hilarious.

    There is legitimate independent ordination (eg one or two advertise in Christianity Today) but there are some hallmarks with regard to it. The two that advertise in Chrisitianity Today both require background checks, references, education (not necessarily a full degree), and have some sort of outside recognition as an organization (both are recognized endorsing agencies for federal chaplaincies).

    Some are not comfortable with independent ordination but then some are not comfortable with ordination outside of a few mainline denominations. My grandmother thought there was the Anglican Church and then the Roman Catholic Church, Lutherans, Methodists, Presbyterians and anything else was 'peculiar' (including Baptists).

    The government cannot regulate ordination but people can use the same discernment that they would use in finding a place to earn a degree from. As in the example above:

    i) Does the organization do background checks
    ii) Do they require and check on Ministry references
    iii) Do they require some sort of legit academic preparation
    iv) Do they have outside recognition (endorsers for military chaplaincy, Federal Bureau of Prisons, etc).

    This is the best I can come up with as a guideline. Instant ordination should certainly cause one to question the organization.

    North
     

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