Researched and updated by the ordination experts at the Universal Life Church on
Getting ordained in Michigan has never been simpler! The title of “minister” was once reserved only for those with the resources to pursue it through time-consuming, costly (and for certain people, inaccessible) avenues. But those days are gone: the Universal Life Church Ministries has demolished these traditional barriers by pioneering a new path to ordination that makes it simple for anyone who feels so-called to get ordained online for free.
Did you know that anywhere you stand in Michigan, you're no further than 85 miles from one of the Great Lakes? Here's another fun fact: you're probably even closer to a ULC minister! That's because many Michiganders have taken the step to get ordained online.
Ready to join them? This guide will explain how online ordination works, what legal considerations you ought to make, and, most importantly: how to become a minister in Michigan!
Becoming ordained online with the Universal Life Church Ministries is as simple as filling out a short form on our website. Just input a few basic details to create your account, then hit submit – that’s it! Once your ordination has been processed, you’ll receive a confirmation email with a link to view your official digital ordination certificate on our website. To begin, click the button below!
Our ordination process is straightforward, fast, and entirely free. Why? Because we believe everyone has the right to captain their own spiritual ship and chart their own course throughout their life. Your faith is your own, and we think it’s important that you be given the ability to pursue your beliefs however is most appropriate for you – not according to some arbitrary set of rules laid out by someone else.
2. What Can You Do With Your Ordination in Michigan?
Once you are ordained, you’ll have the freedom to choose how you want to put this new status to use. Regardless of where you are in Michigan – from Detroit to Grand Rapids, you can take advantage of your status as a minister in many different ways. As an ordained minister with the ULC, you can:
Perform weddings
Conduct baptisms
Preside over funerals
Officiate a wide variety of other types of ceremonies
Some members of the ULC in Michigan even go on to start their own churches! To learn more about the potential directions you can take and how to study up on these different specialties, visit our Minister Training Center.
3. What Do You Need to Be Ordained in Michigan?
Once you’ve decided what types of activities you’d like to get involved in, the next step is to make sure you have all the necessary supplies and documents to pursue your goals! Here are some of the most popular supplies for our ministers in Michigan:
No matter what you want to pursue, rest assured that we can help get your ministry off the ground running!
4. What Does it Mean to Be Ordained?
Ordination, as a practice, has been observed by many different religious groups throughout history. Most faiths and denominations have their own method for ordaining members as part of their clergy – processes that can vary quite significantly from one belief system to another. In the simplest sense, getting ordained indicates that powers have been vested in you by a higher authority to become a minister and carry out duties such as performing ceremonies.
The path to ordination was historically a difficult one, requiring many years of study and the approval of leadership – not to mention the financial backing to attend formal schooling for becoming a minister.
The ULC believes such traditional routes are unnecessarily restrictive, which is why we’ve opened the doors of ordination to all those who seek it through a unique online model. We offer this option in Michigan because we know how important it is for Michiganders to be able to make their own decisions about becoming ordained, free from the barriers imposed by conventional religious bodies.
A Universal Life Church Ministries ordination confers all the same rights and privileges enjoyed by members of the clergy ordained through more traditional avenues. ULC ministers are empowered to conduct the same types of duties performed by other clergy members from other faith organizations.
5. Can You Get Ordained to Perform a Wedding in Michigan?
Many ordained ministers hope to solemnize wedding ceremonies for their loved ones and congregants. In fact, ULC ministers officiate countless successful wedding ceremonies in Michigan each year! A traditional church wedding in Ann Arbor can be wonderful, but what if a couple just wants a friend to perform a personal wedding ceremony at the University of Michigan campus? Having the freedom to get creative can actualize amazing experiences for all involved.
If you plan to perform a wedding, it’s important to understand that because marriage is a legal ceremony, there are some specific rules that apply. Each state has its own laws regarding marriages and the process of performing them, so you’ll need to know about the requirements that apply in your area. To learn more, please visit our guide on performing weddings in Michigan.
Are ULC Ordinations Valid in Michigan?
As an established religious organization in good standing, ordinations granted by the Universal Life Church are fully recognized in Michigan, and ULC ministers have the authority to perform all normal clergy duties, including solemnizing legal wedding ceremonies.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is it legal to get ordained online in Michigan?
Yes! The Constitution specifies that everyone has the right to practice their own religion. By
pioneering the use of technology to communicate and ordain, we may look different from the more
traditional churches you might be used to, but as a ULC minister in Michigan you
have the same protections as all other ministers.
How long does it take to get ordained in Michigan?
The amount of time required to get ordained depends on which religious organization is ordaining
you. The Universal Life Church has deliberately made ordination available almost instantaneously
online because we believe that everyone in Michigan who feels so-called has the
right to captain their own faith journey.
How much does it cost to get ordained in Michigan?
Ordination with the Universal Life Church is free, and always has been! We believe that everyone
in Michigan who feels so-called should have access to ordination. Note that in
certain areas you may be required to present proof of your ordination, which we provide for a
small charge to help us cover production expenses.
How old do you have to be to get ordained in Michigan?
To get ordained online by the Universal Life Church in Michigan, an individual needs
to be at least 18 years old. Depending on your location, there may be age requirements to perform
functions like the solemnization of weddings - the office issuing the marriage license will be
able to provide you with that information.
