How to Become a Minister in MO

Researched and edited for accuracy by trained team members at GetOrdained™ on August 30, 2022

Becoming ordained in Missouri is way easier than you might think! The process to become a minister was once a difficult, time-intensive undertaking (not to mention the cost of something like seminary school). The obvious problem: only a certain few could achieve the title of “minister.”

Get Ordained™ is dedicated to removing these systemic barriers to participation, allowing anyone who feels so-called to certify as a minister. As part of this commitment, we’ve pioneered a free online ordination model that takes just a few minutes to complete.

Missouri once opened the doors to the West for the rest of the nation, and that pioneering spirit remains with the great Missourians who call it home today. We're excited that so many terrific folks from the great state of Missouri have chosen to pioneer their own spiritual journey by seeking ordination from our organization.

In this guide, we'll walk through how the online ordination process works, explain the legal considerations you should know about, and, of course, show you how to get ordained in Missouri!

1. How Do You Become a Minister in Missouri?

Getting your minister credentials with Get Ordained™ starts by completing the ordination application found on our website. It’s a quick and easy form that will ask for just a few basic details in order to make your account. After you tap submit, your ordination will be processed by our system and you will be able to view a digital version of your ordination certificate, supplied by the Universal Life Church Ministries. That’s all! To get started, click the link below!

Begin Your Ordination

Why make ordination free and easy to obtain? Because our view is that each person should have the opportunity to chart their own journey through the universe. Faith is, by its nature, a personal endeavor, and everyone walks an individual path depending on what they believe and how they choose to exercise those beliefs. The ability to make those choices for oneself – not according to arbitrary rules set by someone else – is invaluable.

2. How Can You Use Your Ordination in Missouri?

After becoming ordained, you’ll be granted complete freedom to decide how to take advantage of your status as a minister. All across the state, from Branson to Mercer, you can put your ordination to use in a variety of exciting ways in Missouri. As an ordained minister with Get Ordained™, you can:

• Perform legal weddings
• Lead baptisms and christenings
• Conduct funerals
• Officiate many other types of ceremonies

There are some Get Ordained™ ministers in Missouri that have even started their own churches and ministries! You can read more about the various options available by visiting our Minister Training Center.

3. What Does Ordination in Missouri Require?

After thinking about what activities you plan to pursue, you'll want to make sure you have all the documents and supplies necessary to perform your duties! For our ministers in Missouri, these are the most-recommended items:

No matter how you choose to use your ordination, we’re ready to support you with all the tools and knowledge you need to pursue your goals!

4. What Does Being Ordained Mean?

Ordination is a ancient tradition that has been carried out by many different religions – each in their own ways. In a general sense, ordination is the consecration of a person as a member of the clergy. Every denomination has developed its own methods and processes for this consecration, and these can vary widely. Simply put, granting ordination distinguishes a person as having the authority to perform duties of the clergy such as officiating ceremonies.

Historically, this path to becoming ordained wasn't an easy one. It typically demanded years of dedication and study, and even then, candidates for ordination had to win the approval of their respective faith leaders.

We view these ancient avenues to ordination as far too restrictive and selective. That’s why we’ve broken down the barriers to ordination with our online model, making it available to anyone who seeks it. We provide online ordination in Missouri because we recognize that Missourians want the freedom to follow their faith how they wish – which might mean becoming ordained!

Ordination through Get Ordained™ includes the same powers and rights that other types of clergy members benefit from. Members are therefore permitted to perform the same activities and duties carried out by ministers of other denominations and faith communities.

5. How to Become Ordained to Officiate a Wedding in Missouri

Folks become ministers for all sorts of reasons and, once they are ordained, are empowered to perform all sorts of different ceremonies. One thing that many new ministers especially look forward to is the opportunity to perform a wedding. As a matter of fact, Get Ordained™ ministers have successfully officiated thousands of weddings in Missouri! A traditional church ceremony in Jefferson City can be wonderful, but some couples want to mix it up and have a friend or family member officiate a union candle wedding ceremony in Cameron. Having that type of flexibility when planning a wedding is a game-changer.

If solemnizing a marriage is on your horizon, it’s vital to know the ins and outs of wedding laws in the area where you plan to officiate. The rules can vary from place to place, so you'll want to read up on the specific requirements for your state and county. To learn what the process looks like in your area, please check out our guide to performing a wedding in Missouri.

Are ULC Ordinations Valid in Missouri?

The Universal Life Church Ministries is a recognized religious organization in good standing in Missouri, and ordinations supplied by the ULCM via Get Ordained™ are fully valid there. In accordance with the laws of Missouri, ministers ordained online enjoy the ability to perform the same duties as any other members of the clergy, which includes presiding over official wedding ceremonies.