Fully ordained ministers in Oklahoma have the ability to perform all the religious rites and functions that ministers typically perform for any given faith including marriages, funerals, baptisms, pastoral counseling and preaching scriptures to congregants. If you want to start a church, it is not necessary to register the organization with the state of Oklahoma before starting one. Becoming a fully ordained minister in Oklahoma can be done taking a traditional or non-traditional path.

Traditional

Speak with your pastor or head of the congregation you attend for your faith. Let them know you’re interested in beginning the process of becoming a fully ordained minister. Church leadership may interview you further to determine maturity levels, prior experience and backgrounds.

Obtain a bachelor degree in divinity or theology. This can typically take between two to four years depending on your educational background.

Attend any religious training and complete any paperwork requirements your denomination may require. This may include additional seminary training of two or three years after completing your bachelor’s degree.

Submit your finalized paperwork and necessary transcripts to the department overseeing ordination requirements. You may need to attend a final interview with your church’s board of directors before being granted full ordination. Once these requirements are complete you will partake in official ceremony where you are presented to your congregation as a fully ordained minister.

Non-Traditional

Log onto the internet and review several different types of churches and organizations online that will provide ordination via email. Choose an organization that aligns with your personal faith beliefs as you will be expected to act according to the belief tenants of the organization that ordains you. The resource section of this article contains a listing of organizations that will ordain you for free over the internet.

Fill out any application material requested by the organization. You may also want to order official copies with original signatures and applicable ID cards that may assist in proving your ordination later. Each ordination company or church may charge you different prices for packaging and mailing these materials to you.

Check your email for confirmation of your ordination. Wait applicable mailing times to receive confirmation by mail if you do not have an email address.