Researched and updated by the ordination experts at the Universal Life Church on
Getting ordained in Texas has never been easier! The title of “minister” was once reserved only for those with the resources to pursue it through time-consuming, costly (and sometimes judgmental) avenues. But those days are no longer. The Universal Life Church Ministries has knocked down these historic barriers by pioneering a new path to ordination that makes it simple for anyone who feels so-called to get ordained online for free.
Texas has a long and proud history of exercising individual rights and freedoms. With that in mind, it's no wonder so many Texans have sought to forge their own paths by getting ordained!
Ready to follow in their footsteps? This guide will explain how online ordination works, what legal aspects you should be aware of, and, most importantly: how to become a minister in Texas!
Getting ordained online with the Universal Life Church Ministries is as easy as filling out a short form on our website. Just input a few basic details to create your account, then press 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 through the expansive waters of the universe. 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 a distant governing body.
2. What Can You Do With Your Ordination in Texas?
Once you become ordained, you’ll have total freedom to choose how you want to put this new status to use. Regardless of where you are in Texas – from Lubbock to Houston, you can put your ordination to use in a variety of different ways. As an ordained minister with the ULC, you can:
Officiate weddings
Conduct baptisms
Preside over funerals
Perform a wide variety of other types of ceremonies
Some members of the ULC in Texas 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 Texas?
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 items among our ministers in Texas:
Regardless of 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 is a process of consecration that has been practiced across many different religious groups throughout history. Each faith and denomination has its own method for ordaining its members as part of the 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 church 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 Texas because we know how important it is for Texans to be able to make their own decisions about becoming ordained, free from the barriers imposed by conventional religious bodies or government authorities.
Ordination through the Universal Life Church Ministries 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 organizations and denominations.
5. Can You Get Ordained to Perform a Wedding in Texas?
Many people who are ordained have a hope to perform wedding ceremonies – oftentimes for family or friends. In fact, ULC ministers perform countless successful wedding ceremonies in Texas each year! A traditional church ceremony in San Antonio can be wonderful, but what if a couple just wants a friend to perform a simple wedding ceremony at the Alamo? Having the freedom to go off-script can make for an amazing experience.
If you plan to officiate a wedding, it’s important to understand that because marriage is a legal ceremony, there are additional 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 Texas.
Are ULC Ordinations Valid in Texas?
As an established religious organization in good standing, ordinations conferred by the Universal Life Church are fully recognized in Texas, and ULC ministers have the authority to perform all normal clergy duties, including officiating legal wedding ceremonies.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is it legal to get ordained online in Texas?
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 Texas you
have the same protections as all other ministers.
How long does it take to get ordained in Texas?
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 Texas who feels so-called has the
right to captain their own faith journey.
How much does it cost to get ordained in Texas?
Ordination with the Universal Life Church is free, and always has been! We believe that everyone
in Texas 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 Texas?
To get ordained online by the Universal Life Church in Texas, 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.
