So you have decided to become an ordained pastor. There are so many things going through your mind often you don't know where to initiate. How do I become a preacher? How do I become a minister. Do I got to seminary? What is an online ordination? Is online ordination permissible? What about being a Christian Pastor or Christian Minister.

The Bible teaches that every child of God is a priest and there is but one superior priest, Jesus Christ. "But you are a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a dedicated people, and a people claimed by God on behalf of his own, to proclaim the triumphs of him who has called you out of darkness into his marvelous light. You are currently the people of God, who once were not his people; outside his mercy once, you have now received his mercy" (1 Peter 2:9,10). This passage tells us that we all should share the Good News of the Gospel. But does it mean we should all be Pastors? Ministers?

If we read in Eph 4:11 "And He gave some as apostles, and some as prophets, and some as evangelists, and some as pastors and teachers"

Well if you simple aspire to share the Gospel, therefore you are just doing what we are all suppose to do.

What is a minister? What is the difference between an ordained minister or ordained pastor? All through the Bible we can learn the word minister but it is often used as a verb meaning to care for. In Col we find the word minister and if you look at the original Greek that word means a servant like a waiter but also a Christian teacher and pastor. When you look at the different Bible verses for the word pastor it comes from the Greek word poimen which means "Shepherd" This means "a person who protects, guides or watches over a person or assemble of people." so it means someone who tends to the needs of others and can be someone who is in charge like a supervisor.

So in essence they both can mean basically the same thing. I consider a pastor someone who helps others with regards to the Bible, a preacher.

So why therefore do I need to be an ordained minister? Well let's look at that question. In order to preach and work for our Lord it is important to have a great education on the subject of His Word the Bible. Now the Bible also says that a minister or pastor is someone who is higher than reproof or someone who will not bring scandal to the title of pastor. You should also be someone who manages their household, can teach and not a recent convert.

The Bible furthermore tells us that we need to abide by the laws of our native land. Well in this nation in order to do things like Weddings, start a place of worship or ministry, prison or hospital ministry you should be certified or ordained.

So now we know why minsters and pastors attended seminary. To understand the Word of God and to be sure that they were not inexperienced converts.

So when we think of Ordained Pastors or Ordained Minister or Licensed Ministers, as Christians that should be someone who has proved that they have a great Biblical intelligence and are not "new" Christians.

So in the Christian belief, can someone become ordained online? Yes and No. Can they attend an online seminary and after completion of the requisite coursework become ordained? I think that is a definite yes and a significant tool of the Internet. Now what about those programs that produce instantaneous Ordination or instant pastor licenses. Well they could be officially authorized but I do not think they are Biblical at all.

I also do not believe that many churches would really choose to hire someone who simply paid the fee to be a pastor.