Is Online Ordination Real?

Jealous ministers and priests of a lot more established and mainstream religions (which Kirby referred to as the "Big Dog" churches) claimed that the reverend must endure years of seminary training and be approved by a committee, adhere to doctrinal standards, and other such requirements.  Whenever it had been pointed out that none of the disciples had been given any formal seminary training, were approved by a committee or adhered to pre-written standards, they offered no argument.   And when shown the most recent headlines that tell the stories of priests who have become ordained using the traditional process, and yet have continued to engage in horrific acts of abuse, there's virtually no support for the notion that "approval" is necessary.  Due to these types of roadblocks, many very good-hearted individuals have hesitated to go after their calling.  What?s also unbelievable are the number of churches who CONTINUE TO bar women from the pulpit. The ULC wouldn?t ever be so narrow-minded.

According to Kirby, any real person ought to be allowed to become ordained without being forced to dance to anyone else's tune, and so he set out to establish a church that would enable that.  His church became known worldwide as the Universal Life Church (ULC) and exploded in popularity and membership.   The church has become well-known and established throughout the years, enough that many well-known proudly proclaim their membership, as well as having the ULC be mentioned on numerous tv programs.  Whenever people think of the Universal Life Church, it's the church headquartered in Modesto which they are thinking of.

Sadly, but not surprisingly, this level of notoriety continues to attract multiple con artists who use the good name of the ULC to try and line their own pockets.   Like the scammers who sell fake Rolex watches calling them "Romex", these charlatans created spin-offs with similar- sounding names, some of them even utilizing the name of the original church, but adding other words like "network" or "monastery".    It never occurred to Kirby that individuals would do such dishonest things or how easily it could be done using the internet, so he never sought to trademark the name ?Universal Life Church? and even encouraged Seeking to spread the word in an honest way, Kirby never trademarked the name ?Universal Life Church?. It never entered his mind that individuals would do the type of behaviors they are doing today or the ease of which it could be done over the internet.  Today, these types of deceptions are happening more often than ever before, causing much confusion and concern by honest folks wanting to create their own ministries.

Operating from mail drops or trailer parks, these fake ULC groups began proclaiming not only that they're a part of Universal Life Church, but even suggesting that they are THE Universal Life Church.    By using all types of tricks and word games to get some Google-love, a few have even been able to climb well up in the search engine listings, which have resulted in countless numbers of ministers who think they have been ordained by the Universal Life Church of Modesto, but who were really dealing with one of the aforementioned unscrupulous groups.

By creating a whole new definition of ?truth?, these groups post sites as well as blogs and such, distorting the facts in some cases, spewing flat-out lies in others.  For example, some places tell new ministers that they HAVE TO buy credentials to be considered legally ordained.  This, of course, is just a partial truth. Only a small number of states require you to show a credential and that is ONLY in the event you wish to perform a wedding. The majority of states require nothing at all.  Credentials are only required for weddings an absolutely nothing else.   Regardless, there is no need to buy a package of items that they might not need or want.

That same manipulative and pushy scammer requires those who have had the bad luck to sign up with him, that to be ordained in his ?magical? church, they HAVE TO buy a letter of good standing and credential by lying and saying they're required to officiate all marriages and perform any other jobs of the reverends.   Again, some states do require such a letter, but only a very few.  And for those states which do require the letters, the authentic Universal Life Church will send these letters free of cost. (For the one or two states which require notarization, there is a cost for the notary, but not for the letter itself.).

The ULC has two ?official? web sites.  Established in 1997, ulc.net is the oldest active authorized website for the church.  That site, known affectionately as ?the bookstore? provides a host of services for ministers, including a forum, support desk, ordination, directory, and bookstore.  There's even an online confessional.  The other official site is that of the administrative headquarters office, which is still located in Modesto, California.  It can be found at ulchq.com.   The ULC Seminary, also affiliated with Modesto, provides a huge assortment of online seminary training courses, free weekly emails of several kinds, and a great deal of free training It?s a well-established and respected site. Both the Seminary and the Bookstore provide outstanding minister support and guidance for both new and experienced ministers.

Take caution with any of the other sites who claim to be ULC.  You will find many additional honest sites, created by ULC ministers, but any other site which claims to really BE the Universal Life Church is trying to lead you astray.   If it did happen that you inadvertently went to 1 of the less reputable sites, be forgiving of yourself about it. You?re far from the 1st they have deceived and they make it their business to do it.

You can readily verify the truth for yourself.  Corporate records are open to the public so you can verify any which claim to BE the Universal Life Church.  Find the state out of which they operate and look at the Secretary of State?s records.   You will easily find that the real Universal Life Church became incorporated during 1962, as a non-profit in the city of Modesto, CA.  (While they did open in 1959, Kirby didn?t incorporate until 1962.)    In the official state records, those from the other sites that you can find, will show to have only been open for business very recently. When anyone tells you that you must buy merchandise in order

Religion must remain free, and the Universal Life Church is proud of the work it has done to forge a clear path for other people to follow.   Hundreds of churches today began to model their ordination processes after the ULC, which has been outstanding to see. The honest churches establish a unique name for themselves and make an effort to distinguish their ministry and mission in additional ways as well.  But there will remain people who find it easier to simply lift the well-known name, knowing that many people will never bother to check into it -- At least not until it's too late, and they have been separated from their cash!

Please do your homework. You matter and your ordination matters so please find a legitimate ULC who offers you more than a way to spend your money.