The Path of Ordained Ministry at the Chapel

Rev. Bill Whitley, Lead Minister (left) and Stanley Edward Maszczak, candidate for Novitiate Ordination, stand behind the Chapel podium prior to Sunday Services and Ordination on August 18th, 2024.

As I was discussion my recent ordination as a

Novitiate Minister with friends outside of the Chapel, I received a lot of questions about what it means. So, here's some of how I've been thinking about it—as a person recently admitted to the Order of Novitiate Minister at the Metaphysical Chapel of Life—and one continuing to learn and grow and reflect on our bylaws and tradition.

Different churches, traditions, and spiritual paths approach ordination very differently. Some have very specific 'traditional' training requirements; others are primarily paths of active service; others consist of more self-directed training and can be more solitary in nature. Some include different phases of ordination, using different names to denote where a person is on that path or perhaps identifying more of their specific role in the community—'assistant minister,' 'deacon,' 'novitiate,' 'minister,' 'bishop,' and more.

Ordination as a Novitiate Minister at the Chapel (under the auspices of our Mother Church, the Church of Enlightenment) is the third or fourth step in becoming a fully ordained Minister, depending on when you start counting. If you're on the outside looking in, and given that we use a lot of words interchangeably—it can seem confusing to some. (For example, when one is Ordained a Novitiate Minister, this is also referred to as being admitted into the Order of Novitiate Minister, or being certified as a Novitiate Minister. Those desiring to be certified as Teachers, Healing Practitioners, or other modality practitioners for the Chapel complete a very similar process.)

Ordained ministry at the Chapel is a path of dedicated service. The Chapel's ordination process documents state that it involves demonstrating "dedicated service, participation, and documented qualifications," with the Chapel's mission in this regard being, "to provide spiritual information, spiritual energy, and share healing Love and Light which the individual receiving may apply according to their own free will and choice, and in accordance with their personal spiritual and religious beliefs."

Once a person has demonstrated their commitment to the Chapel community over time (regular attendance, serving in various roles, on the board of directors, as a speaker or presider for Sunday Services, healer, teacher, active volunteer, etc.), as well as their commitment to service of humanity and ongoing personal growth and development, they may submit a preliminary letter of intention to the boards. This is a simple letter that also includes a full list of their Chapel-specific activities over the years, to ensure they meet the service requirements set forth in the by-laws.

The boards review their submission, and vote as to whether the individual has completed the service prerequisites.

If approved, the individual is then permitted to submit a full application packet, which includes additional documentation of training and certifications, where applicable; full cover letter discussing spiritual path and reasoning behind desiring ordination at the Chapel; letters of recommendation from Chapel members; letters from individuals outside of the Chapel community; and more.

The boards then review and vote. If approved, the Novitiate Ordination is scheduled.

Once ordained as a Novitiate Minister, the individual is vested with the authority by the Metaphysical Chapel of Life and its parent organization, the Church of Enlightenment, to perform all Chapel services, e.g., as minister, teacher, or healer, except matrimony.

The Novitiate spends the next period of time in continued service and apprenticeship. Novitiates vote as part of the Board of Ministers, serve in ministerial roles and capacities, and otherwise continue the service activities they were engaging in before they were admitted to the Order of Novitiate Minister.

From the Minister Ordination Policy & Procedure:

The novitiate minister will meet with and be guided by the Chapel’s Board of Ministers for additional mentoring and training in preparation for Ordination as a Minister.

This is typically a one-to-four-year apprenticeship period leading to the presentation of full Minister’s Certification. The apprenticeship period is dependent upon adequate performance of ministerial duties such as speaking, presiding, counseling, teaching classes, healing, psychic reading, etc. and previous training and documented certification, including those from other church ministers, groups, or organizations.

During this apprenticeship period a novitiate minister will follow a schedule of events and training defined by the Board of Ministers to include responsibility of the position, code of ethics, limitations of position, counseling of others, and applicable Commonwealth of Virginia laws and guidance...

...The Chapel’s Board of Ministers, in coordination with... the Church of Enlightenment, will at the appropriate point in the Novitiate Ministers progression award a Certificate of Ordination [at] a public Ordination ceremony...

I am very much looking forward to continued service as a Novitiate Minister, and walking this path with the incredible ministers, board, and Chapel membership. I know there is so much for us to continue to learn and become, individually and together.