Why Get a Call When You Can Just be Ordained?
By Rev. Jack Cascione

 

The Lutheran Confessions teach that ordination is public ratification of a Call. A divine Call from a supreme Voters' Assembly is what makes a pastor a pastor in the LCMS.

However, so many denominations are confused over how someone becomes a pastor, including the hyper-euro-Lutherans, that many people think ordination is all that you need to be a pastor. By denouncing Supreme Voters' Assemblies, LCMS pastors are rejecting their own Calls into the ministry.

Without a Call from a congregation, no one is really a pastor in the LCMS. They cannot preach, service Communion, or baptize in behalf of a congregation. Not even the President of the Synod has the authority to consecrate the Lord's Supper at the LCMS Convention because he has no Call to a local congregation.

Naturally, confusion over how one becomes a pastor has given fast-buck artists the opportunity to sell phoney ordination certificates. The following solicitation for ordination, without a call from a Voters' Assembly, was received by Reclaim News from Ordination Committee Inc.


Subject: Considering Ordination? We can assist you.

STREET BISHOPS, a U.S. based international ministry, wants to offer you ordination. This is a genuine outreach to enable those who want to serve an opportunity to do so.

STREET BISHOPS believes that ordination should be given to all who ask. One of the benefits of being a LEGAL member of the clergy is that you will be authorized to perform the rites and ceremonies of the church. They include:

WEDDINGS - You can earn part-time income officiating marriages on weekends. Couples are searching for a wedding officiates. Most states require that you register your certificate (THAT WE SEND YOU) prior to conducting the ceremony. Some pastors work full-time as a wedding officiate, so can you! And we'll put you in our database of officiates which receives thousands of requests for ordained ministers!

FUNERALS - The simple fact is that people die every day, providing a never-ending need for funeral officiates.

BAPTISMS - What a special way to welcome a child of God. As millions return to church and desire these official ceremonies, you are there to assist them! This adds to your part or full time income as a minister!

PRISON MINISTRIES - Since you will be a Certified Minister, you can visit others in need. Assist those who are ready to CHANGE their lives - You can play a major part in that decision!

HOSPITAL MINISTRIES - As an ordained clergy, you can be listed with most hospitals and conduct a successful hospital ministry.

WANT TO START YOUR OWN CHURCH? After your ordination, you may start your own congregation! We can offer much assistance as you begin your new place of worship.

APOSTOLIC SUCCESSION? Yes! Once accepted through our ministry, we will, at no additional admin fee, pass your file onto an independent Catholic order for consideration.

WHAT ARE PEOPLE SAYING? "You are truly an answer to prayer for myself and for hundreds, if not thousands, of men who have been frustrated with constitution, laws, and by-laws of most denominations who have denied brethren who have answered the call of God." - Colorado Springs, Colorado. "We've been wanting to take communion during the weeks we are without a Priest, and now we are able to do that." - Greenwith, Australia

WHAT IS REQUIRED? That you intend to become ordained to honestly bring love, understanding, peace, comfort, compassion, and forgiveness to the world. No degrees needed, no hoops to jump through, no restrictions on gender or any other ridiculous hurdle. Promise to honor God and that is all that's required.

YOU RECEIVE a professionally printed 8-inch by 10-inch color certificate and Letter of Ordination/Proof of Minister Certification in your name. We pay the U.S. shipping. For Shipping OUTSIDE the U.S. please add $15.00.

NEWSLETTER. You will also begin receiving our helpful newsletter with advice and answers as you begin your new ministry. This is what makes us very different from the others; we provide support along with the credentials.

THE STREET BISHOP goal is to make this life changing step easy and affordable so average folks like you can benefit from the advantages of being ordained, and you can be enabled to serve others. The administrative costs for processing the ordination is only $29.00.

FAX: To place your order by fax, complete the following form and fax to 1-413-487-7457, or use postal mail.

MAIL: For Cash, Check, or Money Order, complete the form below, make your check payable to "TSG" and mail to

Ordination Committee Chair 3206 South Hopkins Ave, #89 Titusville, Florida 32780 U.S.A.

The committee meets every other day, all applications processed within 3 days of receiving them.

Check all that apply:

__________ $29.00 admin fee for your Ordination Certificate/Credentials

__________ $15.00 for International Shipping (if outside the US, $6 if in Canada)

__________ Optional: $19 for personalized, laminated ID Badge with Lapel Clip

__________ Optional: $15 for "Burch Liturgies", more than a dozen full-length ceremonies for Baptism, Marriage, Funerals, Etc.

(Please print very clearly in dark ink)

---------------- Ordination Information -----------------------

Name of Applicant:
Academic Degree (if any):
Address:
City, State, Zip Code:
Phone Number:
Email Address:
Religion:
Denomination (if any):
Preferred Title: (example Reverend, Pastor, Priest, etc.):
Ministry Area(s) of Interest (Congregational, Hospital, Prison, Marriage Officiating, etc):
Website (if any):

Although not required, by sending us a one-page writing of why you are seeking Ordination, you will guide us in supporting you in your ministry.

------------ If Paying Fee By Credit Card Use This Form ----------------------------

Name on Credit Card:
Address:
City/State/ZIP:
Your email address:
Type of Card, circle one: Visa MasterCard Discover (Sorry, no American Express.)
Credit Card Number:
Date Credit Card Expires:
Phone Number:
Fax Number:

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To be removed from our mailing list, fax address to 1-313-557-2776. Our understanding at the time of this mailing is that this is a legal form of marketing, similar to postal mail. Evidence otherwise is encouraged and requested via fax. We are doing our best to exclude those individuals who do not desire to receive materials of this type. Thank you for your consideration.


Rev. Jack Cascione is pastor of Redeemer Lutheran Church (LCMS - MI) in St. Clair Shores, Michigan. He has written numerous articles for Christian News and is the author of Reclaiming the Gospel in the LCMS: How to Keep Your Congregation Lutheran. He has also written a study on the Book of Revelation called In Search of the Biblical Order.
He can be reached by email at pastorcascione@juno.com.

March 20, 2002