Christian Univeralists believe that the punishment for sin is not eternal - all souls reunite with God.
Christian Universalism is a sect of Christianity that believes in the doctrine of unification - that while sin has consequences both in this life and the next, all sinners are eventually reunited with God. This is a departure from other Christian beliefs that hold that the consequences of sin are eternal. Christian Universalists represent a wide variety of Christian theology, with adherents from evangelical Christian backgrounds as well as liberal Christianity.
Instructions
1. Join the Christian Universalist Association. Membership in the association is a prerequisite to ordination as a Universalist minister. There is no monetary requirement, though the Association does have a supporting class of membership based on a minimum annual $10 donation. You can apply for membership by filling out the application given in Resources. Additionally, ministers must be at least 21 years old, have a high school diploma or equivalent, and be a citizen or legal resident of the United States.
2. Download the ordination program application. You can complete the application online or print it and send it in via mail. You must answer questions about any criminal background you may have. The Christian Universalist Association will run a criminal background check.
3. Contact three people who know you and have them submit a confidential letter of recommendation on your behalf. Letters should be at least 300 words long. Have them submit them directly to this address:
Christian Universalist Association
Attn: Ordination Committee
P.O. Box 107
Fairfax, VA 22038
4. Complete the reading list. The list is available on the ordination page of the Christian Universalist Association and consists of readings from the Bible, readings on general theology, the history of the Universalist movement, ethics and pastoral care, readings on living the Gospel and on planning and growing a church community.
5. Submit a resume.
6. Write eight papers, including a statement of personal faith and your journey to the pastorship and seven papers responding to the reading list.
7. Donate a $300 nonrefundable application fee. This fee covers the cost of processing your application, reading and responding to your assigned papers, and mentoring you through the ordination process.
