Wisconsin Ordination Explained
The concept of ordination holds deep significance both legally and culturally. In the context of marriage, becoming an ordained minister authorizes you to preside over and solemnize marriages in the state of Wisconsin. It helps formalize a beautiful personal moment and provides legal backing to the union, according to the laws of Wisconsin.
Legally, an ordained minister in Wisconsin is recognized as a "civil officiant" [1]. This means that you have all the authority to conduct a marriage ceremony. The Wisconsin Statutes regarding marriage eligibility and requirements state that religious organizations and their ministers are exempt from certain requirements, such as age restrictions and prohibitions on marriage to a person convicted of felony marital sexual assault. Further, Wisconsin law stipulates that any religious organization that has tax-exempt status (according to 26 U.S.C. Sec. 508(a), 501(c)(3), or 509(a)(1), (2), or (3) of the Internal Revenue Code) may ordain ministers, for civil purposes or otherwise.
Historically, clergy in the Protestant tradition had to be educated in Latin, Hebrew, Greek, and theology in order to become ordained. This often required them to undergo rigorous testing and several other challenges prior to ordainment. Traditionally, some denominations, such as Baptists, have ordination councils that vet and approve ministers . Over time, however, the requirements for ordination have loosened, with many churches now employing ministers with scant theological training, and many denominations even ordaining people who do not belong to their faith tradition.
The ordination process varies according to the restrictiveness of the faith tradition in question. In the Catholic Church, for example, ordination is a serious matter set forth in the Code of Canon Law, a thick book the Vatican issues every few years. It is expected that everyone who is ordained by a Catholic bishop or priest has undergone several years of intensive training, including classes, examinations, and apple polishing through service at the altar.
Protestant denominations are somewhat less stringent. For example, Methodists only require aspirants to have certain college-level courses, a calling to ministry, and recommendations from church leaders and mentors. Once they meet eligibility requirements, candidates must undergo a process of selected by the church leadership to evaluate their suitability for ordination. Likewise, in the Lutheran Church, extensive education is not always necessary for ordination.
In the United States, most modern day clerics are ordained to commune rather than marry. Although this may seem a divide without difference, commune refers to offering the sacraments to the public, while marry refers only to the couple.
The Legal Requirements For Ordination
Certain requirements must be met to become an ordained Wisconsin minister. At a minimum, you must be a legal adult, meaning you are at least 18 years of age on the day you apply for ordination. You should also be a resident of Wisconsin. As a bonus requirement, you should have some religious educational background. For example, you may be an evangelical, a member of the Catholic Church, an Orthodox Christian, a pastoral counselor, or a member of a non-denominational church. While Wisconsin does not have ordinances limiting the number of times someone can be ordained, there may be certain churches or religious organizations that will impose such restrictions. The organization may also have specific requirements concerning the conditions in which you may officiate certain ceremonies.
Becoming Ordained Online
How to Get Ordained Online in Wisconsin
Becoming an ordained minister in Wisconsin is made easy by the availability of many online ordination services. These organizations help you throughout the process of becoming a legally-ordained minister in your state and offer up varying levels of support. Most ordinations are free or have a nominal cost associated with them, though they may charge for the certificates and documentation you’ll need to keep for your records. Usually, you will need to provide some general information about yourself, including contact information, information about where you work and live, and identification to prove your identity. They’ll typically ask you a few questions about your beliefs and will provide you with an exam to prove that you’ve read and understood their policies. Once you’ve received your ordination, you’re normally allowed to start performing weddings right away, if you wish. Most organizations will file your official paperwork themselves and will send you an updated copy of your information as soon as possible. A few of the most popular online ordination organizations include the Universal Life Church, which is free; Open Ministry, which is free; American Marriage Ministries, which is free; and Universal Ministries, which costs $35 in total.
Minister Responsibilities Once Ordained
Once you have been ordained in Wisconsin, there are numerous duties and responsibilities you are entrusted with. Depending on your spiritual convictions and/or the specific religious organization with which you are affiliated, your duties may vary. In a broad sense, however, all ordained ministers are typically responsible for the care and well-being of all congregants, and that can mean many different things, from assisting members in spiritual development, to simply being there when someone is going through a major life change or difficult time.
As a minister, your congregants entrust you with their spiritual growth, which includes leading ministry services, teaching members about the tenets of the faith, officiating at special ceremonies such as marriages, funerals or christenings, and serving them in myriad other ways. For many ministers, these duties are specific to the particular positions they hold for their congregations and are outlined by the church. However, in Wisconsin, you may also be an independent, self-ordained minister, in which case, you will be tasked with fulfilling the duties of an ordained minister on your own .
While you may not have anyone looking over your shoulder, so to speak, it is your responsibility to ensure that you uphold the standard of services and care that your fellow ministers would deliver. After all, your fellow ministers and the church at large, have entrusted you providing the same level of care and attention that you yourself would appreciate if you were a member.
Some of the specific duties of self-ordained ministers in Wisconsin may include:
The above list is by no means meant to be comprehensive, but simply to give you an idea of some of the common responsibilities of an ordained minister in Wisconsin, or anywhere, for that matter. If you have any questions about whether or not you are fulfilling all your duties appropriately, don’t be afraid to ask someone you trust. It’s important to remember that your fellow ministers were once novices, too. Also, make sure to familiarize yourself with any specific guidelines set forth by your church or religious organization.
Legality and Officiating Ceremonies
Now that you’ve learned about becoming ordained online, what does Wisconsin law say about your ability to perform ceremonies, and how do you go about doing it?
Let’s start with officiating weddings. In Wisconsin, clergy members and religious organizations are permitted to solemnize marriages, which means performing the ceremony, signing the marriage certificate, and returning it to the proper county clerk. In order to solemnize a marriage, the State require that the officiant have two things: a certificate of qualification and a registration form.
The certificate of qualification proves that you are duly ordained, which you can get through an online ordination from a religious organization that meets the State’s criteria (like Universal Life Church). The forms for registering your ordination are available on the State’s official website.
You must be registered before you solemnize a marriage; however, before you can register, you must receive the certificate of qualification, so you may have to wait until you’re given the go ahead from whichever organization you’re getting ordained through. Once you are appointed by the judiciary to perform your duties, you must "present credentials of [your] appointment upon request."
The forms must be received within five days after you solemnize the marriage and must include the county in which the ceremony took place (if applicable), the dates of when that certificate was issued and in which you actually performed the marriage, and the printed or stamped name and address of the organization that ordained you.
From there, the County Clerk will assign you a registration number to keep track of your qualifications, and this number must be included on the forms you send back. In addition, there is a $10 filing fee and it must be filed for public record before you can begin officiating, which is stated on the forms you receive.
The online ordination process only takes a few minutes and then your ordination is typically immediate, but filing the official forms and waiting for your registration number may take a few days up to a couple of weeks depending on how quickly that particular organization processes its paperwork. Therefore, it’s recommended that you apply for your ordination as soon as you know your officiant date.
Once you receive the registration number, you’re now legally permitted to solemnize marriages in the state of Wisconsin.
Beyond weddings, Wisconsin law states in its written ordinances that clergy members are also authorized to perform "other rites, ceremonies, services and acts of a religious nature," but there is no process in place to file for such a position. However, in the past there have been charges pressed against those who perform ceremonies like christenings and funerals without proper authorization, so if you’re ever in question, you might want to contact your local municipality to see what other paperwork might be required.
As long as you have proof of the ordination that complies with Wisconsin law, you should have no problems performing these ceremonies. Unless otherwise specified, there is no application process or requirement to file any additional forms with the County Clerk.
Securing Your Ordination
Congratulations! You’ve been ordained as a minister in the state of Wisconsin. However, your responsibilities don’t stop there. Keeping your ordination status means more than simply filing the proper paperwork, attending the right events, and fulfilling certain ministry roles. Becoming a minister is a lifelong journey, and with that comes a few ongoing requirements that occasionally require certifications or continuing education to maintain your status. These certifications come from individual organizations and churches rather than the state of Wisconsin. While the state does not require you to be part of a national or local ordaining organization, becoming a member of one does have its benefits, including expert advice and oversight for your spiritual and professional journey . Many ministerial organizations also offer resources for continuing education or certification programs. Participating in these programs regularly is a good way to ensure you remain dedicated to your life as a minister and stay up to date with latest research and spiritual teachings. While Wisconsin law does not require you to renew your ordination status, many churches and denominations do require annual or biannual renewal periods. If you were ordained by a local church or organization, you may need to check with them to see if you need to renew your status.