How to Become a Minister in WV
Researched and edited for accuracy by trained team members at GetOrdained™ on
Here's something not many people realize: becoming ordained in West Virginia is quite easy! Sure, there was a time when becoming a minister was both time-intensive and expensive (seminary school isn't cheap). This selective process meant that the title of "minister" was reserved only for those fortunate enough to have the time and money to pursue ministerial work as a career.
Get Ordained™ is focused on breaking down such systemic barriers and granting the opportunity to anyone who feels so-called to become an ordained minister. To help pave this path, we have developed an online ordination model that is easy to navigate, takes only minutes to complete, and – best of all – is free to use!
The free people of West Virginia have always fought for what is right, which aligns well with the values that the ULC stands for. Perhaps that is why many West Virginians are choosing to become ordained -- it is a great way to practice what they believe in.
In the guide below, we'll explain how the process of online ordination works, talk through the legal aspects that are important to understand, and give you specific steps for how to be ordained in West Virginia.
1. Become a Minister in West Virginia
Receiving ordination credentials via Get Ordained™ first requires completing the ordination application here on our website. This no-frills form asks you to input some basic information in order to create an account and register your ordination.
After pressing submit, your application will be processed by our system. In just moments, you'll receive confirmation of your ordination and see a digital version of your ordination credential certified by the Universal Life Church Ministries. That's all – you're now an ordained minister! Click the button below to get started!
You might be thinking: why do we make ordination so simple? Well, the Universal Life Church Ministries was founded on the notion that each individual's faith journey is unique and that fulfilling one's spiritual destiny requires the opportunity to chart one's own path through the universe. In our view, creating barriers and restrictive rules for who can – and cannot – participate in the benefits of clergyhood is antithetical to progress.
We believe that everyone has a right to pursue this path, regardless of what they believe or how they identify. Creating an easy, open process means that anyone can participate in ministry, and they can do so in the way that makes the most sense to them.
2. Using Your Ordination in West Virginia
The great part about becoming a minister with Get Ordained™ is that after signing up, you'll have total freedom to choose how to leverage your new status as a member of the clergy. There are no limitations to how you can use your ordination in West Virginia; from Bluefield to Clarksburg, ULC ordination has you covered for any occasion.
As an ordained minister, you can:
- Officiate legal weddings
- Carry out vow renewals
- Preside over funerals & baptisms
- Perform many other types of ceremonies
In fact, some inspired Get Ordained™ ministers in your state of West Virginia have even taken it upon themselves to form their own ministries and churches! To read more about the wide range of options available to you, visit our Minister Training Center.
3. Ordination in West Virginia
Ordination is far more than a piece of paper, it's a tradition that spans across both faiths and centuries. Every religious body has its own process, rules (and even names) for ordination, but the concept remains consistent. In the most basic sense, ordination is the method for consecrating an individual as a member of the clergy in a particular faith system, an honor typically conferred by members of church leadership. Put in simple terms, becoming ordained distinguishes a member of the faith and grants them the authority to perform official clergy duties, such as presiding over weddings and other ceremonies.
Historically, this path was a challenging one to walk. For one, depending on the faith system, becoming ordained also might require years of dedication and study to even qualify. Not to mention that half the population was generally disqualified from the start; in most religious bodies, this opportunity was offered only to men.
As pioneers of an open, online ordination model, Get Ordained™ views such restrictions as unnecessary and elitist. For that reason, we're proud to offer ordination to anyone who feels so-called, free of any barriers or difficult rules. We firmly believe that the people of West Virginia deserve the chance to pursue their faith convictions in whatever way they best see fit, including becoming ordained!
The best part? Ordination provided through Get Ordained™ offers all the same powers and rights enjoyed by clergy members of other religious groups. Members of the ULC are therefore granted the ability to perform any duty typically carried out by a minister of a more traditional religious denomination.
4. Ordination Supplies You'll Need in West Virginia
Regardless of what ministerial duties you plan to get involved in, it's important to make sure you have all the documents and supplies necessary to pursue your goals! Among our ministers in West Virginia, the items below have consistently proven the most popular:
If those items don't seem relevant to your goals, not to worry! Feel free to explore our full catalog of ministry supplies.
5. Become Ordained to Officiate a Wedding in West Virginia
People choose to become ministers for all manner of reasons, and once ordained, they have the freedom to choose what directions to move in. One of the most common ways that new ministers look to get involved is by performing ceremonies like weddings.
Who knows what a couple getting married may have planned? For instance, you could be part of making a couple's special day even better by hosting a small wedding in Charleston. For those outdoor enthusiasts and adventurous couples, an offbeat wedding script would pair well with an Appalachian Trail wedding.
If you expect that performing a wedding is in your future, it’s crucial to do your homework to understand the wedding laws in the area where you plan to officiate. Because the rules for officiating a wedding often vary from state to state (and even county to county) learning the process is important to ensure the wedding you perform is legally recognized. Please visit our guide to performing a wedding in West Virginia to get started.
Online Ordination in West Virginia
The Universal Life Church Ministries is an official religious organization in good standing in West Virginia. Therefore, ordinations provided by the ULCM via Get Ordained™ are fully recognized and valid. Ministers ordained online are treated the same as any other clergy member, and as the laws of West Virginia explain, certified ministers are granted the ability to perform duties such as officiating legal wedding ceremonies.
Frequently Asked Questions
Our innovative use of the internet may make us look different from other organizations, but the ordinations provided by GetOrdained are as legally valid as those from any other church. We believe, and the law says, that you have the right to practice your faith in West Virginia how you want, including as a minister of the ULC!
Time requirements associated with becoming an ordained minister are determined by the religious organization performing the ordination. At GetOrdained we choose to provide instant online ordination per our belief that all people in West Virginia who feel called toward ordination should have easy access to that special role.
We believe that anyone in West Virginia who feels called to ordination should have access to it, so we make it free! There is no cost associated with online ordination with GetOrdained. Depending on your plans, you may be required by the government in your area to provide proof of ordination, which we offer for a small fee.
At GetOrdained we require that a person be at least 18 years of age in order to apply for online ordination. It’s also important to keep in mind that if you are planning on performing a legal ceremony like a wedding, your town or county in West Virginia may have a separate age requirement for officiants - be sure to check!
Learn How to Perform a Wedding in West Virginia
Perform a WV WeddingHow Do you Legally Perform a Wedding in West Virginia?
See the WV Marriage CodeBecome an Ordained Minister Today
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