Search the Community

I am about 1/3 through the text in the title, and I have to say, it surprises me that Rev. Hensley wasn't literally lynched in th early years. His teachings are... Unorthodox, at best and downright heretical in a number of places, not the least of which was his claim that The Devil was in charge on Earth, and that God and The Devil are either the same entity or in cahoots, at least. Has anyone else read the text? Want to discuss it?

Mods, please move this, if needed. Looking through the various topics, I went into the Legal, and the part on 501c3. While what is there is posted as true, for it's part, it's not the entire story, as my understanding from various other sources state: Annual Exempt Organization Information Returns Every organization exempt from federal income tax under Internal Revenue Code section 501(a) must file an annual information return except: A church, an interchurch organization of local units of a church, a convention or association of churches, An integrated auxiliary of a church, A church-affiliated organization that is exclusively engaged in managing funds or maintaining retirement programs, A school below college level affiliated with a church or operated by a religious order, even though it is not an integrated auxiliary of a church, Certain church-affiliated mission societies that conduct activities in foreign countries, or activities directed at persons in foreign countries, An exclusively religious activity of any religious order. . . . As such, a church is already exempt, and does not need to be a 501c3... One of many articles on the web. Source 1 One of the churches I associate work has been doing this for a few years, and have directly spoken with the IRS on the matter, and the rep confirmed it. The church needs to be a seperate entity, which means its own EIN, and bank account. With the above in mind, would it be possible to donate my car to my start-up ministry? Or how would I be able to "register my car under the church?" I know people can register a car for their business, so it would stand to reason it can be done for a church. If, at some point, I want to sell the church car, is there anything special I would need to do? Forms? On a different scenerio, can I sell a car, donating the money to the church, to provide a little "start up fund" for the ministry?

There was a recent comment on the ULC Facebook site where a gal said she had been told her ULC Ordination was nothing more than a "Box Top ordination". I've written a short missive regarding that..... The ULC is often looked at as being a “cereal box ordination” or “bought credentials” and it is no wonder people, who are threatened by the vision of our founder Rev. Kirby Hensley, would think so. They still buy into the authority of the organized, mainstream religious Church. In reality, there are only twelve people that ever lived that had the “authority”, directly from the Christ (Jesus/Yeshua) to minister His message. Everyone else that came after Paul, Peter, Steven, Timothy et al followed their message and self imposed authority, dogma and doctrine. When the Christ gave the call to minister he picked fishermen, publicans and even tax collectors, as well as an assortment of regular everyday people, to teach his message of Peace and Love. He then instructed them to go forth and teach after his cruel death. In less than three years he crash studied his disciples into a Universal Message, not dogma or doctrine of a corporate organization. “Love each other.” The Christ did not issue credentials or make bold claims of his disciples having spent long, labored years in seminary learning the books of scholars. He taught them His message: Mat 22:37-40 Jesus said unto him, Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind. This is the first and great commandment. And the second is like unto it, Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself. On these two commandments hang all the law and the prophets. In the early days of Christ's gathering up his followers he sought the men who had otherwise little or nothing to do with conforming to the rules and pageantry of the synagogue. Eternal Life had nothing to do with the ritualistic policies of the synagogue nor the long derasha (sermon) meant to instill fear and compliance to the whims of the religious leaders' interpretation of the Torah. As a boy and young man Christ had attempted to get the rabbis to understand that, according to His understanding of the Torah, to no avail. The Christ wanted the people to know that “salvation” came from their personal walk with God, not through their alliance with doctrine and dogmatic compliance with the edicts of men. Two thousand plus years later, we are still battling this ancient institution of organized and formalized religious practices taking precedent over the true calling of the individual's heart. And from my personal beliefs, I'll recall from one of my early Works a similar reference from The Faces of Odin (Codex 8th Century AD) that: “...many good souls are drawn to the runes, few learn them aright. Knowest thou the runes and the Mysteries contained within? Then shoudst thy calling be to them.” No hint of having to agonize through years of apprenticeships, though you'd never get Gild support without it, no “must do” one thing or another, just "read them aright" (know what you're teaching). Simply if it is in your heart to master the runes, you should do so. In short then, as ULC ministers, regardless of our religious teaching or particular Spiritual Path, if we have been called, in our hearts, to minister, it is by the Will of the Universal and Supreme Power we do so, not by the will of men. Whether we follow mainstream religious theology or that of the esoteric Orders, it is our heartfelt commitment to the message that compels us so, not because of the power of organizational leadership to pass judgment on our intentions. This is where organized religion and esoteric groups do have a common ground. If you have need of joining the club, being a legitimate part of their groups or wish to have an academic reference behind your Works, yes, of course there is a standardized protocol within most disciplines. To do so you also have to bend to the standard protocol of dogma and doctrine that applies itself to your discipline. However, to spread the Good News of Christ's words or that of any philosophy or Spiritual Path, you need simple intent. It's all within the scope of what you personally wish to accomplish. As far as the ULC being a “Box top” ordination? I don't think so, the Supreme doesn't work like that. The Spiritual Authority of our hearts will always trump the dogmatic authority of man-made institutions. Let them call us what they like and disparage the Omniscient, that in itself is all the non-credible defamation I need to not hear a word they say. Blessings of Peace,

I am moving to Canada as a Permanent Resident in the near future and I am wondering if I will still be ordained in Canada or if something special would have to occur to keep my status as an ordained minister. Thank you for your time. Blessing to All