Our Order can both license and ordain ministers to serve in a clerical capacity. Both licenses and ordinations are legal in every state in the USA and may be in other countries. All Ministers can officiate at weddings and conduct other religious ceremonies. Depending on the state or country, certain restrictions may apply. Please check with the local authorities to know your status if your country or state regulates religious organizations or clergy.
To become a minister of the Force you must be licensed or ordained by our Order, which requires undergoing clerical training at our Seminary. There is a difference in the kind of training done for the clerical training program in the Seminary compared to the training done for the Degree Scheme. The degree training is there to help individuals and members with their own understanding of the Jedi path as it applies to them. The seminary training is designed to help members learn to provide assistance and further expand another individual's understanding of their Jedi path.
Clerical training consists of a series of exercises that require your understanding of various topics including the duties of a member of the Clergy, legality, empathy, interfaith understanding, spiritual conversations and advising, and conflict resolution.
To join the Seminary, you should first contact the Assistant Pastor for the Seminary, who will ask you to explain your interest in becoming a clergy person and ensure that you understand the commitment and skill required.
There is a normally a requirement of having reached the rank of Knight prior to being admitted into the Seminary, but an Apprentice, active in standing, may be admitted with the informed consent of the Apprentice and their Teaching Master. We recommend that any such Apprentice will have completed (or made substantial progress on) their A.Div. before applying. However, no one may be Licensed as a Minister without achieving the rank of Knight, even if that person has completed the Seminary program.
A member whose application to join the Seminary is denied may appeal such denial to the Synod as a whole by raising their objection to any member of the Synod.
Upon completion of the clerical training program (and achievement of Knighthood, if necessary), your Seminary work will be considered by the Synod. If approved, you will be awarded the appropriate title; conversely, it is possible that the Synod may ask you to revisit one or more lessons for completeness or comprehension.
If you would like a certificate detailing your Minister's License or Ordination, these may be sent, for a small fee, by post.
