Preachers are a territorial group of individuals. Regardless of their five-fold ministry gift (Apostle, Prophet, Evangelist, Pastor, Teacher), most preachers are very offended by anyone receiving credentials if those persons have not met “perceived” ministerial qualifications. Their defense is that they are protecting the integrity of the ministry. Are they protecting the integrity of the ministry or are they territorially challenged?
Maybe the problem is that we have become so title oriented that we have overlooked a very vital piece of the ministerial puzzle. The Apostle Paul declared that God has given every believer the ministry of reconciliation. If someone has a ministry, are they not a minister? One of the definitions of “minister” as provided by Free Press Dictionary is, “A person serving as an agent for another by carrying out specified orders or functions.” Does not that definition define a Christian – someone who is serving as an agent for Christ by carrying out his specified instructions, i.e. the Bible?
The theologians however, would argue that the Greek word for “minister” means “servant.” They have unknowingly made my point. A servant is someone who carries out the orders of another.
We have now determined that every Christian is a minister with a ministry. They may not have been called as yet to preach, pastor a Church, or be a Prophet or Apostle, but they are called to minister. This world is in a mess and we need more ministers – not less.
The Government’s Mindset
Upon looking through thousands of IRS regulations, I do not find where they recognize any priestly term other than “minister.”
The question we need answered now is, “If the IRS only recognizes the term minister, and God defines all Christians as ministers, why should every Christian not be properly and legally ordained into the ministry to which God has called them?”
This opens a completely new avenue for every believer.
Spiritual Benefits and Ramifications
When speaking of the need for ordination credentials, Dr. Ronnie Shaw declared: “If you have them and never need them, you have lost nothing. But, if you need them and do not have them you may lose a soul.”
This quote from Dr. Shaw was made in relation to a personal experience he encountered because of someone whom he had encouraged to seek ordination, yet would not. That individual had his closest friend die lost because the Christian did not have credentials and could not get past the ICU nurses station due to the severity of the patient’s condition (only spouse and ordained ministers were allowed).
Ordination credentials will open doors for a believer that otherwise would not open. Is it worth a good friend, or anyone for that matter, dying and going to hell because you do not have credentials to open the door of access for you?
Tax Benefits
The Internal Revenue Service allows several benefits for ministers who perform Sacerdotal duties. These duties are:
1. Baptisms
2. Weddings
3. Funerals
4. Eucharist (Communion)
5. Teaching (Religious Instructions)
6. Christening/Baby Dedications
7. Conducting Worship Services
8. Spiritual Counseling/Guidance
9. Administrative Affairs of the Church
By performing these duties as needed, the IRS authorizes many tax benefits that would not be awarded otherwise.
In addition, ordination credentials authorize the individual for housing allowance on some of the ministerial income. However, the greatest benefit that can be obtained is the ability to opt out of Social Security. Social Security is nothing but a ponzi scheme. It receives funds from those not yet eligible receive, to pay those who are. Several individuals have been incarcerated for doing the same thing on a private scale, but the government involves you in one much larger than any private ponzi scheme has ever endeavored.
Another problem with Social Security is that no one ever lives long enough to get all they paid in and it is the only retirement system where upon your death, the only heir it is allowed to pass to is the IRS.
Anyone who has at least 40 quarters (10 years) paid into the Social Security System should opt out immediately. Who do you want handling your money – you or the government? The government is many trillions of dollars in debt. They have proven their inability to handle any finances. At least if you handle it, whatever money you have saved will pass to those of your choosing – not to the government.
In Closing
Ordination credentials are important for every Christian. The ordination papers open doors and certifies the bearer for spiritual and monetary benefits. My question is if God says you are, and the IRS only recognizes what God says you are, why would you not want the credentials?
No one provides stronger credentials, spiritually or legally, than our ministerial wing, known as The International Congress of Churches and Ministers (ICCM). We uphold the excellence that has been exhibited by the 77 years of experience of Chitwood and Chitwood. We are the ultimate ordaining fellowship in the world.
If you hold credentials now, are you sure they are legal for tax purposes? Why take the chance? If you are beginning a new Church, start the Church right by obtaining credentials that are recognized for God’s purposes and those of the Federal Government.
Whether you already hold some credentials or a new upstart, you need to pursue credentials with the number one, non-denominational, ordaining fellowship in the world. Send a private e-mail to drshaw@cmtc.org, visit the conference page of www.cmtc.org to register for one of the Clergy training sessions, or visit www.iccmworldwide.org to begin the ordination process today.
YOU CAN HAVE REST WHEN YOU ARE CONNECTED TO THE BEST!
