Difference between a Licensed and Ordained Minister, Can I be ordained and licensed to do marriage, wedding ceremonies, Does the government license ministers, Is there a central database of ordained clergy or ministers, Does World Christianship Ministries license and ordain people, Should I become a Licensed Minister, Ordained minister or Both,      
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faith ahead license or ordination


What is the difference between Ordaining and Licensing a Minister?

This is a good question and often very misunderstood.  The decision to ordain or license clergy is mainly up to each individual church, ministry or denomination. In most cases Ordination gives the person broad authority to do all Christian services. However, again, it is up to the individual church, ministry or denomination to decide how much authority they are giving the person they ordain. There are no laws about the authority given by ordination or licensing, that is up the the church, ministry or denomination. The government is not involved in the ordaining or licensing of ministers or clergy. Also, there is no central data base of all ordained or licensed clergy in the USA.

Licensing is very much the same.  The church, ministry or denomination just like to use a different word for reasons of their own.

We, World Christianship Ministries, use both terms on your Ordination Certificate (Note this wording underneath where it says, Certificate of Ordination in the example below).

ord certificate
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Take the time to go through this site using some of the important links below.

World Christianship Ministries offers much more than ordination as you will see when you tour the site.

When it comes to doing Marriage Ceremonies, our own Administrator (Rev. McElroy) has personally done over 2,500 wedding ceremonies. Our Marriage Minister Handbook, written by Rev. McElroy, is an excellent reference for people who are just beginning to do marriage ceremonies after ordination.

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