Does anyone know if a Christian church minister needs to be ordained to do weddings in the state of Florida? I've heard differing opinions.

-- Anonymous, May 08, 2001

Answers

Phil.....

I ministered in FL for a total of 14 years and the answer is without a doubt....YES....only ordained ministers (or elders for that matter) can perform marriages in the state of FL.

That is.....unless it has changed in the last two years....since I've been gone from the state.

A good source of information for you to call might be Florida Christian College at 407-847-8966.

Hope this helps.

-- Anonymous, May 09, 2001

What do you think of getting one of those 'cereal box ordination's where you send soem money off and become an ordained minister, just to be able to do weddings, prison and hospital ministry? Do you see any ethical problems with that? It could be a legal solution for those who don't believe in denominations and don't ahve a chruch organization to back them up legally.

I don't see ordination papers in the Bible. I see getting a piece of paper to let one do ministry regular Christians should be able to do as a valid option.

I thought about that so I'd be able to do some work in prisons in the US. Some prisons require an advanced theology degree as well, I've heard. Talk about discrimination against some kinds of churches!

Has anyone had any experience getting prisons to allow baptisms?

If I did get a 'ceral box' ordination, I'd want to get it from a ministry that didn't believe in denominations, didn't ordain flakes, and offerred the ordination papers to futher the kingdom of God. Does anyone know of such an organization.

-- Anonymous, May 09, 2001

What do you think of getting one of those 'cereal box ordination's where you send soem money off and become an ordained minister, just to be able to do weddings, prison and hospital ministry? Do you see any ethical problems with that? It could be a legal solution for those who don't believe in denominations and don't ahve a chruch organization to back them up legally.

I don't see ordination papers in the Bible. I see getting a piece of paper to let one do ministry regular Christians should be able to do as a valid option.

I thought about that so I'd be able to do some work in prisons in the US. Some prisons require an advanced theology degree as well, I've heard. Talk about discrimination against some kinds of churches!

Has anyone had any experience getting prisons to allow baptisms?

If I did get some paperwork like this, I wouldn't want a 'cereal box' or mail order ordination. I'd want to get it from a ministry that didn't believe in denominations, didn't ordain flakes (with their cereal box ordinations), and offerred the ordination papers to futher the kingdom of God. Does anyone know of such an organization?

-- Anonymous, May 09, 2001

Phil,

I am sure that Florida Christian College can help. You can also contact the Florida Secretary of State Office.

Link,

As far as 'ordination papers' are concerned, they are as good as the man who has them.

The solomnizing of marriages by a 'clergyman' is a regulation of state. As you have said, there is no authority given in the Scripture for today's 'clergyman' to solomnize marriage or provide 'religious ministry' in state institutions.

The 'ordination papers' are the best way that the government can figure to provide a little bit of a check and balance for things that they have deemed important.

The church has, in its ignorance (real or feigned) given way to the will of the government to provide many of its practices. Ordinations, marriages, even church polity have followed the dictates or example of state. Now, I realize that one must go back into the history books to determine which government and which time any of these, and more, had found their origins.

For what it is worth,

-- Anonymous, May 11, 2001

The ministry in the Friends Church is similar to CoC. We do not "ordain" ministers. We "record" them, that is, we make a record of those whom God has gifted and called to preaching ministry. The certificate says the Friends Church recognizes that said person is a minister of the Gospel. I was recorded by Iowa Yearly Meeting of Friends in 1990, and that was recognized by North Carolina Yearly meeting when I moved here in 1998. I have never had trouble with my legitimacy being questioned for weddings, etc.

-- Anonymous, May 11, 2001

More...

The ministers (called pastors ONLY if in a staff role) serve under the oversight of the elders. The ministers and elders meet together each month in what is called the Meeting on Ministry and Ccounsel. Sometimes this is called the Pastoral Committee. The pastoral care of the church is the responsibility of the Ministry and Counsel, with elders and ministers sharing the responsibility, but the elders recommend to the church who should serve as ministers.

-- Anonymous, May 11, 2001