Have any of you had this thing happen: someone tells you they just got ordained and they show you their card "Rev. ---" with the Universal Life Church online... ordination happens within 2 days of submitting your name and address...and they are so excited to become a chaplain through a new online program through Universal Life's website as well. I was speechless. I'm paying a ton of money and putting in a ton of time and energy... I feel very snarky right now. And totally self-righteous...because I'm going to be about a million kajillion times more qualified to do my thing... but geez... (Posting by friend and fellow seminarian on facebook)
As I read this post on facebook, many thoughts ran through my head: everything from "you are absolutely right" to "hang on a sec". I had to ponder it a bit more to see just what I thought of the situation. It hits a bit close to home as I am also attending seminary with the chaplaincy in mind, have had a couple of friends ordained by the Universal Life Church, and have, nine years ago, done the same myself.
When I think about ordination, I recall the fights that happened within certain denominations about requiring formal higher education as opposed to just the mentoring/apprenticeships previously accepted. There were good reasons to require the training: it made sure that prospective ministers were educated in the Bible and the ways of the denomination. It also gave a broader perspective that comes with education.
Nowadays, not all denominations require formal seminary, nor do I think they should. There are certain activities that should probably be regulated, and as such, require a degree, but much of it does not. We can help people without having a degree; we can preach and minister without such (as long as our denomination states we can). Why should we have to have a degree that costs thousands of dollars in order to officiate a marriage or comfort someone who is sick or dying?
Then we enter into the arena of titles. Many places that hire Chaplains, require that they be certified as such. The ULC "program" would not qualify for such. Should they, then, be allowed to call themselves Chaplains? I don't think so! If we can not call ourselves massage therapists or receive money for giving massages without having a certification, then the title of something as important as Chaplain should be protected as well! Chaplains are not merely denominational workers that serve members of their own church. They are by definition those who go out in the community and serve not only their own denomination but a vast array of denominations. They are required to perform services for which one needs to be properly qualified and not just something they make up as they go along.
Do I think that ministers ordained by the ULC should not be allowed to perform weddings, funerals, or the like? Absolutely not. I am proud to be ULC ordained! I appreciate the openness and equality that this is trying to present. I agree that anybody should be allowed to perform these rituals as long as the ones receiving them agree. I also believe that if a denomination wants to be open to who performs such things, that is a great thing. I do, however, object to the use of the term chaplain for anyone who is not trained in such a capacity. There is a certification process for chaplains to ensure that they are able to perform their services knowledgeable and ethically. Anyone may be able to minister according to their own religious/spiritual tendencies, but chaplaincy is much more than that and is not something that can be learned in a short online course.
As I read this post on facebook, many thoughts ran through my head: everything from "you are absolutely right" to "hang on a sec". I had to ponder it a bit more to see just what I thought of the situation. It hits a bit close to home as I am also attending seminary with the chaplaincy in mind, have had a couple of friends ordained by the Universal Life Church, and have, nine years ago, done the same myself.
When I think about ordination, I recall the fights that happened within certain denominations about requiring formal higher education as opposed to just the mentoring/apprenticeships previously accepted. There were good reasons to require the training: it made sure that prospective ministers were educated in the Bible and the ways of the denomination. It also gave a broader perspective that comes with education.
Nowadays, not all denominations require formal seminary, nor do I think they should. There are certain activities that should probably be regulated, and as such, require a degree, but much of it does not. We can help people without having a degree; we can preach and minister without such (as long as our denomination states we can). Why should we have to have a degree that costs thousands of dollars in order to officiate a marriage or comfort someone who is sick or dying?
Then we enter into the arena of titles. Many places that hire Chaplains, require that they be certified as such. The ULC "program" would not qualify for such. Should they, then, be allowed to call themselves Chaplains? I don't think so! If we can not call ourselves massage therapists or receive money for giving massages without having a certification, then the title of something as important as Chaplain should be protected as well! Chaplains are not merely denominational workers that serve members of their own church. They are by definition those who go out in the community and serve not only their own denomination but a vast array of denominations. They are required to perform services for which one needs to be properly qualified and not just something they make up as they go along.
Do I think that ministers ordained by the ULC should not be allowed to perform weddings, funerals, or the like? Absolutely not. I am proud to be ULC ordained! I appreciate the openness and equality that this is trying to present. I agree that anybody should be allowed to perform these rituals as long as the ones receiving them agree. I also believe that if a denomination wants to be open to who performs such things, that is a great thing. I do, however, object to the use of the term chaplain for anyone who is not trained in such a capacity. There is a certification process for chaplains to ensure that they are able to perform their services knowledgeable and ethically. Anyone may be able to minister according to their own religious/spiritual tendencies, but chaplaincy is much more than that and is not something that can be learned in a short online course.
