Frequently Asked Questions
Ordained Minister and Ministry Questions
What is a Church Charter?
A Charter
is to an organization
= what Ordination
is to a person.
Upon application, the UCFM may grant other "God-called"
organizations worthy of our recognition, who voluntarily hold themselves
accountable for such recognition, in sharing common callings, missions,
unity in essential doctrines, and upholding of ethical Christian standards.
A Charter gives an organization recognition within the UCFM organization
as an Independent Ministry/Church. It, however, does not make that
organization tax-exempt. To become a tax-exempt organization, you must file
the proper paperwork with the IRS.
For an ebook guide to help you start your own 501(c)(3) Non-Profit Church
CLICK HERE
What is your denominational covering and Spiritual authority
This is one of the most important questions of all questions, I believe. To
answer your question directly and in all truthfulness - I answer that we are
not created by the hand of man.
We owe our reason for being and authority to exist to Jesus Christ who raised up this ministry, and who covers this ministry, and we are answerable to Christ, being aligned and associated with Christ. We owe our existence not to Man or a denomination - but by the direct work of the Living Head of the Church of whom all power and authority exists.
Is the UCFM recognized by other denominations.
The answer is yes and no!
That should not be shocking in it's answer, because any denominational Church or Ministry usually recognizes itself and not others.
For example, if you were issued credentials by the Presbyterian Church, those credentials probably are NOT going to be recognized in the Baptist, Catholic or other Denominational Churches. The UCFM is not about
denominationalism, which divides the Body of Christ, instead we stand to unit the Body and spread the Gospel of Jesus Christ through the world. Denominationalism is a
Religious Iron Curtain that divides the Body of Christ.
Affiliation with the UCFM means that you stand with us in being servants of the Lord, uphold core essential Christian Doctrines as outlined in our statement of beliefs. That you promote Jesus Christ, proclaim him Lord of Lords, King of Kings, proclaim Salvation is not earned by works, but a gift of God through His Son who took our sins to the cross. As an Independent Minister you're free to operate your Ministry Calling as given to you by God. YET, we are are all held accountable to operate by ethical Christian Standards.
For example: some are called to plant and operate "physical Churches", others are called of God to spread the Gospel in "Street Ministries", while others are called to serve as "Chaplains", others are "prayer warriors", others minister to the needs of the handicapped, nursing homes, worship ministries, home cell churches, or prison Ministries.
Can I join even if I have no interests in becoming ordained?
Yes, you can join and take the lessons. Ordination is not Mandatory to be a member of the UCFM.
Letters of Assignment / Referrals / Recommendations
We do not send private letters of recommendations or Ministry assignments without first meeting in person with those requesting such a referral and properly examining such person. Additionally, to respond to such referral letters we additionally will need the following;
1. A legal release form for a background check.
2. A Hold Harmless Statement to keep the UCFM from any legal actions as a result of your association or activities with the organization you're seeking the referral with.
3. A sworn notary statement containing & detailing any criminal history self-disclosures.
4. Three local referrals from one currently in a Pastoral position who personally knows you, with complete contact information (phone numbers, and mailing address) of the same.
5. A detail and complete personal and ministry resume.
6. Detailed Statement of Faith.
7. Complete written statement about who the Letter of Referral / Assignment is being made, and any other purposes for such requests.
8. A photograph of yourself.
Processing the information, including a background check, may take some time to process. Please allow up to 6 weeks or more for processing. The process may take longer for those applying for Chaplain -or- "Youth Pastoral" positions as we do an exhaustive background check on those seeking a referral to work with the youth.
Furthermore, even with the above conditions met, we may elect not to give such an endorsement. The primary reason for this is that the UCFM provides a certain simple covering to those ordained starting at an entry level into the Christian Ministry. However we do not want to become an employment reference agency to hundreds or perhaps thousands of members
who request various forms and degrees of documentation's to read over, follow up or investigate, and/or research these documents.
This would completely overburden those voluntarily giving their time and efforts to the purpose of providing a entry level simple Christian Ordination for many thousands worldwide.
Can I ordain others?
Once you're ordained, your ordination is recognized and registered in the UCFM; although, I would also recommend a UCFM Church/Ministry Charter that recognizes within the UCFM your Independent Ministry/Church before you ordain others.
When you ordain others, you are ordaining them in the name of your own Independent Ministry/Church. That is to say, those whom you ordain yourself are your responsibility to register and to cover them independently of the UCFM.
Renewals
The UCFM has adopted a yearly renewal policy for credentials. Although the Minister Certificate has NO expiration date, we expect ministers to renew their license yearly. With that said, we have NOT yet designed the renewal process - thus all credentials, as of now, are automatically renewed.
However, at some time in the future, we will have the renewal process complete. Information will be available on when and how to renew credentials, by logging into your private office.
In the mean time, please login to your private office regularly for any announcements or updates. ONCE we implement the renewal process all members issued credentials will be given a grace period to renew their license.
As of now, we expect the renewal to be something along the lines of answering a few questions and making contact with one in the regional leadership. Additionally, there may be a small fee such as $10.00 to assist regional leaders in processing and funding their regions.
Expired ID Cards / Letter of Good Standing
ID cards and Letters of Good Standing expire one year after the date the are issued.
HOWEVER, issued Minister Certificates DO NOT have a expiration date!
Thus, just because an ID card and/or Letter of Good Standing expires, this does NOT mean that your Minister Credentials (Minister Certificate) has expired!
In other words, if you want and/or need an ID card and/or a Letter of Good Standing,
you would need to reorder these credentials yearly. If you do not need them (many do not need them), then you do not have to yearly reorder them. The point is, regardless of if your ID card or Letter of Good Standing
expiration, your Minister Certificate is still in effect.
To order expired ID cards and/or a Letter of Good Standing login to your private office where you can order these two items.
