(Mostly) Free Master of Ministry in Pastoral Leadership

[michaeladsmith2]

I want to clarify several important points regarding the post addressing "Ministry Degrees, Ordination, and Accreditation."

1. There has been a significant rise in the number of religiously-affiliated, unaccredited institutions that present themselves as legitimate by claiming to be "state authorized." Many of these organizations are run by individuals who often lack credible degrees and are selling fraudulent diplomas and ordinations, frequently under the pretense of being exempt from standard accreditation processes. The truth is that the so-called Doctorates and graduate-level courses offered by these institutions lack authenticity and carry no real value in the academic or professional world.

2. An examination of these programs reveals that nearly 99% of them are neither authorized nor recognized by mainstream religious organizations. Consequently, graduates of these programs are not welcomed into reputable congregations or institutions of higher education. None of these individuals can fulfill roles within established Adventist, Catholic, Jesuit, Baptist, Lutheran, Jewish, or Muslim organizations; most recognized faith groups require their clergy and educators to possess accredited degrees. Furthermore, ordination is not a decision made by a college or university; it is solely the responsibility of an ecclesiastical body comprised of operational ordained clergy. The ordination process includes a rigorous vetting procedure, time spent in ministry, an internship experience, and ultimately, a formal ceremony characterized by the laying on of hands, fervent prayer, and the issuance of credentials.

3. Let me share a pertinent example: I know of a clergyman who graduated high school nearly 35 years ago. Within his local independent faith group, he was "affirmed" by his church community as someone possessing the "gifts" to preach. While that affirmation was granted, the fact remains that for over 25 to 30 years, he did not pursue formal theological training. Instead, he attended various unaccredited religious schools, ultimately obtaining a Bachelor of Arts (BA), a Master of Arts (MA) in Pastoral Ministry, and a PhD in an unspecified field.

- None of his degrees hold accreditation.
- He is ineligible to serve in any official capacity as a chaplain in healthcare, military, law enforcement, hospice, or on college campuses, as accredited training (a BA and a Master of Divinity (MDiv) with 72-96 credits) is a prerequisite, alongside completion of four units of Clinical Pastoral Education (CPE).
- He cannot teach at any accredited schools, seminaries, or universities.
- He is unable to hold any official state license.
-He is prohibited from publishing in Academic Journals [as they ALL require accredited advanced degrees in the field one is publishing in]

The harsh reality is that individuals like him perpetuate a facade. They engage in fraudulent practices that not only undermine the authenticity of ministry but also inflict significant harm on the church and on genuine clergy members who have dedicated their time and resources to earn accredited degrees and obtain authentic ordination.

It is intriguing to observe how many individuals associated with these unaccredited institutions often manage to evade thorough scrutiny regarding their credentials. This evasion allows them to perpetuate their claims without facing legitimate questioning or accountability. By operating within the confines of church walls, they can effectively maintain their façade, creating an environment where their lack of qualifications goes unnoticed.

These individuals often create a bubble of legitimacy that isolates them from outside criticism. In many cases, they might leverage their affiliation with a faith community to gain the trust of their congregants, who may not have the tools or knowledge to assess the validity of their educational backgrounds. This dynamic can lead to a troubling situation where congregations are left vulnerable to deception, as the lack of transparency shields these individuals from accountability.

Moreover, the protective nature of religious environments can cultivate an echo chamber. When questions about qualifications arise, dissenting voices may be silenced under the pretense of loyalty to the faith community. This can foster a culture of acceptance based on belief rather than evidence, allowing these individuals to thrive despite their lack of real credentials.

Furthermore, some may exploit the deep-seated respect for spiritual authority that many congregants hold, which can further solidify their status within the church. The interplay of faith and education can create an imbalance, where trust in spiritual leaders is prioritized over critical evaluation of their qualifications. When followers are conditioned to accept teachings uncritically, it becomes increasingly challenging to question the authenticity of someone’s credentials.

The consequences of this lack of scrutiny extend beyond the personal; they can damage the integrity of the entire church community. Genuine clergy members who have invested in their education and adhere to the rigorous standards of accredited institutions may find their efforts undermined. This scenario not only impacts the credibility of ministry but also raises broader concerns about the potential for misinformation within spiritual practices.

In essence, as long as these individuals can continue to operate within the protective boundaries of religious communities, the façade is likely to persist, disallowing the critical dialogue necessary to ensure the integrity and credibility of their ministry. It is imperative for congregations to foster an atmosphere of inquiry and accountability, where questions around qualifications are welcomed and addressed, ultimately preserving the authenticity of spiritual leadership.