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 a 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 are owe our reason for being, and authority to exist in Jesus Christ who
raised up this ministry, and who covers this ministry, who is 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 your 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 united 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 your 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.
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 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 a exhaustive background check on those seeking a referral
to work with the youth.
Further 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 a become a employment reference
agency to hundreds or perhaps thousands of members requesting various forms
and degrees of documentation's to read over, follow up or investigate, and/or
research these documents, which would completely overburden those voluntarily
giving their time and efforts to the purpose of providing a entry level simple
Christian Ordination for many thousands world wide.
Can I ordain others?
Once your ordained your ordination is recognized and registered in the UCFM,
though 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 cover them independently of the UCFM.
Renewals
The UCFM has adopted a yearly renewal policy for credentials. Though the Minister
Certificate has NO expiration date we expect ministers to renew their
license yearly. That said we have NOT yet designed the renewal process - thus
all credentials as of now are automatically renewed.
However some time in the future we will have the renewal process complete.
Information will be available by logging into your private office, on when and
how to renew credentials.
In the mean time please log in to your private office regularly for any announcement
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 a ID card and/or a Letter of Good
Standing you would need to re-order these to 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
are expired, your Minister Certificate is still in effect.
To order expired ID cards and/or Letter of Good Standing - login to your private
office where you can order these two items.