Please send tests 13 through 17 all at one time on same email. It makes
grading and recording easier.
Send all tests on the body of the email, Do not send on an attachment
Lesson 13, Officiating Marriages
A marriage as seen through the eyes of the Government is a civil contract between two persons. The Government
issues a marriage license granting to a couple permission to enter in this contract, of which the Government is also a party
of that contract.
In doing so, the Government has enacted certain laws and requirements governing marriage contracts.
Further the Government decides who is qualified and authorized to represent the Government in administering these contracts.
In many if not most government jurisdictions Judges, Justices of the Peace, and Clergy are authorized to officiate
or solemnize marriage contracts on behalf of the government as outlined by the laws of the jurisdiction where the marriage
is to take place. To officiate a marriage members of the Clergy must register with and be authorized by the State to solemnize
a marriage, and must know the laws and requirements where the marriage is to be performed.
There are seven states that require the minister to have an established Church that meet regularly within
their borders. They are: Michigan, Missouri, Nevada, New York, Oregon and Rhode Island and Virginia. TCOLW offers an Independent
Church Charter for those that want to perform marriages within these states. Our Church Charter will allow you to
start a Church of your own. In addition to our charter these seven states rules say that you must incorporate and have
a church that you hold services and preach in that church. If you have any questions about the rules if you live
in these states get in touch with the Clerk of Probate or District Court for Officiate details and other requirements.
The states in respect to personal individual religious beliefs allow members of the clergy to act on behalf,
and as a representative of the state in administering this civil contract.
Most government agencies require members
of the clergy to register their professional credentials with either the Clerk of Probate or District Court. Each state has
its own laws regarding the requirements and who may officiate marriages. Check with the Clerk of Probate or District Court
for Officiate details and other requirements. Most will issue you a certificate from their office, that grants their permission
to conduct a marriage in that jurisdiction. Many of the clergy who officiate numerous marriages might find it beneficial to
carry a Insurance Liability Policy! Additional Ministers are required to keep a journal of the marriages they officiate with
a photocopy of the signed marriage license.
Before performing the marriage, Officiates must secure from the couple a legal and
valid marriage license MAKE SURE IT'S NOT EXPIRED, and have the required number of witnesses (excluding officiate and the
married couple) to sign the document. Secure the marriage license and don't let it leave your hands. Don't ever solemnize
a marriage without having possession of the marriage license first! After the marriage ceremony, make sure everything is filled
out correctly, that the required witnesses have signed the document, and that you return the marriage license to the correct
agency within the specified time limit.
TCOLW ISSUES
The Church Of Living Water (TCOLW) authorizes those Christian
Ministers who have been ordained of the TCOLW and are in good standing to perform marriages, acting independently as ministers
of the Lord Jesus Christ, as long as the minister follows all the required laws governing marriages as issued by the governing
jurisdiction where the marriage is to take place. The TCOLW is not responsible for any unauthorized, or other illegal acts,
whether they are intentional or otherwise, and is to be held harmless in such issues. Further the TCOLW does not authorize
TCOLW ordained ministers to solemnize same sex marriages.
Many of the clergy having a problem being a representative of the state in solemnizing the Civil Marriage
Contract, and might consider as an alternative allowing a government officiant such as the Justice of the Peace to administer
the Civil portion of the contract, thus meeting the government requirements.
Then after the civil marriage the minister could have a separate and distinct Christian ceremony blessing
and sealing of the marriage before God - without being a party or representative of the government. This ceremony is however
not a re-marriage, renewal of vows, or an actual marriage.
This ceremony is a blessing giving Christian recognition to the marriage. It is a uniting and dedication of
the couple to live as a Christian family being joined as one under the Lordship of Jesus Christ. Let this ceremony be a celebration
of the love of Christ, and conducted as led by the Holy Spirit.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Be sure to give your name at the top of each test
LESSON 13 TEST
Please send your True or False answers only
send them like example below
lesson 13
1T, 2T, 3T, AND SO ON----------------
email all answers to churchoflivingwater2001@yahoo.com in subject line type "test 13"
Test questions or statements below, answer True or False
1. A marriage as seen through the eyes of the government is a CIVIL
CONTRACT between two persons.
2. To officiate a marriage members of the Clergy must register with
and be authorized by the State to solemnize a marriage.
3. It is not necessary to keep a copy of the signed marriage license.
4. The state looks at the marriage as a religious ceremony.
5. Before performing the marriage, Officiants must secure from the couple
a legal and valid marriage license making sure that is not expired.
6. After the marriage the minister give the marriage license to the couple
that was married.
7.
Marriage officiants are solely and legally responsible for their actions in administering marriage contracts.
8. Since the Minister is officiating for the state there is no need to
carry an insurance liability policy.
9. Failing to follow the law could land a member of the clergy in deep
legal trouble.
10. Clergy are encouraged to keep a journal of the marriages they officiate
with a photocopy of the signed marriage license.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Lesson 14, Helping Others That Grieve
Do you know how to help a person who's dealing with death — whether his or her
own impending death or that of a loved one? Death is real. It occurs all around us and sometimes hits very close to home.
And when it does, death finds most of us totally unprepared to deal with it.
We tend to exalt youth, life and energy, and almost deny the existence of old age and
death. It's as if we are all pretending to be immortal, and we live as if not thinking about old age will make sorrow and
death go away.
There is often anger accompanying the grief of the loss of life. People get angry at
God, angry with their relatives and comforters, even angry at the deceased.
One widow blurted out to her deceased husband, "How could you go off and leave
me at a time like this?" Needless to say, the rest of the family members were pretty much at a loss to know what to say. How
do you deal with anger — even irrational, displaced anger — at times like that? What do you say? And then, of
course, there may be guilt. Why didn't I do this or that or say the other thing before he died? Or, If I had only thought
to do this or not do that, maybe she wouldn't have died.
The Bible tells us this is in Ecclesiates 3v1, 4, " To every thing there is a season, and a time to every purpose under the heaven.
A time to be born, and a time to die; a time to plant, and a time to pluck up that which is planted; a time to kill,
and a time to heal; a time to break down, and a time to build up; a time to weep, and a time to laugh; a time to mourn,
and a time to dance.
There is a season for every thing and that includes a time to mourn for those that
leave us in death. The person who has lost a loved one suddenly feels all alone. If it was their spouse that they lived
with for many years there will need to be a time for re-adjustment. Those that lose a love one deserve a time to mourn. The
last thing they need is someone to tell them keep a stiff upper lip. Or, "I know how you feel." because we really don't,
you can only imagine unless of course you recently too have lost a loved one and even then we don't really know.
We are at loss of words when we are with someone that has lost a loved one. What can
we possibly say that could help this grieving person?
When a person first loses their loved one there really isn't anything that you can
say that will help. They are totally devastated by the loss. They are left alone without their loved one for the first time
without the expectation of their return. They are all by themselves for the first time in their lives. It is in these times
a friend will need to be there to just listen to the broken heart of the mourner. Usually the loss of their loved one is almost
all they can think of. They might even feel a little bitter because of the loss and even blame the loved one who died, "How
could you do this to me?" might be running through their minds, "How will I ever get over this?" Their thoughts might
even become irrational. This is all a natural thing that must be worked through by the mourner and this all takes time. Yes,
there is a time when the mourning needs to stop and life must continue on even though the loved one will always be missed.
Usually time does seem to heal all wounds.
Many years ago a lady that I had met at her home to give an estimate to do a certain
job, told me that her husband had died a year before. The work she wanted me to do was in her bedroom. I noticed that she
had a man's clothes hung on a chair, and shoes with socks tucked into them right under the bed. The bed was unmade. She apologized
to me for it. She told me that the clothes were her husband's clothes. They were left just the way they were on the night
that he died. She told me that she just could not clean up the room or pick up his clothes. This lady was becoming irrational,
she could not pick up the clothes because, she said, "If I do, it will mean that he is really gone." But that is exactly what
she needed, to let go and get on with her life. As a side note, those that lose their spouse and they were
both Christians handle death a lot better then the unbeliever does. They realize that there would come a time when death would
come to separate them, but only till they meet together again in heaven. Yes, they still mourn but that time seems to be a
lot shorter, not because they loved their spouse less than unbelievers but because of the hope of heaven. If you have a friend
that loses a loved one be patient with them. Let them mourn, listen to them and if this mourner is an unbeliever their heart
might be opened up by God to receive Jesus Christ as their Savior.
Notice how one newly widowed woman wrote of her experience in the days and weeks just
after her husband died:
"Alone in my house, I longed for someone to call. Watching from my window, I desperately
hoped every car slowing down, or footsteps approaching, might be a visitor. Anyone would have done. I wanted to talk.
But if they came and spoke on any subject other than the one most on my mind, then equally I longed for them to leave and
sometimes fear I made it obvious."
The one thing that those that mourn need is someone to visit them in their hours of
mourning. Why don't we visit them? Because we don't know what to do, or what to say. Some who do come want to change the subject
when the one thing the mourner wants to talk about is what they are experiencing. They don't need us to talk, they need us
to listen. To listen with compassion and love for the mourner. To just be there with them. To do what? To mourn with them.
Yes, cry with them. To pray with them. To be there to talk about anything they want. Roman 12v15, tells us this: "Rejoice
with those who rejoice; mourn with those who mourn." Sorry to say, much of the time we stay away and leave the mourner there
to grieve alone. They do need time right after their loss and we should not run right over before it's time. Don't go over
without asking first. After some time give them a call and ask if you can come to visit, maybe even take them out to lunch
if they want. But let them call it. Whatever they would like to do, whatever they
want to talk about, just be there.
Listen to what the Bible says about mourning in Ecclesiates 7v2: "It is better to go
to a house of mourning than to go to a house of feasting, for death is the destiny of every man; the living should take this
to heart." When we go to the house of mourning therein lays minds that are very fertile to hearing the word of God.
Many times the shock of losing a love one begins to put the mind of the mourner into the position of thinking about their
own mortality. If the mourner does have a question about their own destiny after death, you as a believer will be there to
help them to have their questions answered. You may have the opportunity to lead them to the Lord. This alone well help them
though their time of mourning more than any thing else. Always be ready to give an answer to those that mourn. Prepare yourself
before you go on that visit, but please do not push it. Pray before you go that God would cause the mind of the mourner to
have peace and that if the mourner is not saved that God would give you the right words to share with him or her: the
Gospel of Jesus Christ.
In times of grief, we sometimes make the mistake of focusing on a person's spiritual
or emotional needs, and forget his or her physical needs for simple things like food, transportation or paying the bills.
While someone is going through such a crisis, certain simple tasks can be difficult or unfamiliar like balancing the checkbook
or getting the car serviced. To the bereaved, mundane tasks seem almost irrelevant and very tedious and hard to do.
All these ordinary tasks of daily living still need attention, but some of these things
may seem difficult, virtually impossible, for the person in a state of shock and grief. Help in any way you can.
Those that mourn with the mourner can and do feel the loss too. Hear these words of
encouragement, Revelation 21v2-4 "I saw the Holy City, the new Jerusalem, coming down out of Heaven from God, prepared as
a bride beautifully dressed for her Husband. And I heard a loud voice from the throne saying, "Now the dwelling of God is
with men, and He will live with them. They will be His people, and God Himself will be with them and be their God. He will
wipe every tear from their eyes. There will be no more death or mourning or crying or pain, for the old order of things has
passed away." Won't it be wonderful when that day comes! Amen.
---------------------------------------------------------------
LESSON 14 TEST
Please send your True or False answers only
send them like example below
lesson 14
1T, 2T, 3T, AND SO ON----------------
email all answers to churchoflivingwater2001@yahoo.com in subject line type "test 14"
Test questions or statements below... answer True or False
1. Those that lose a loved one deserve a time to mourn.
2. It is not uncommon for the person who is mourning to blame the one they are mourning.
3. We must first be a good listener to the broken heart of the mourner.
4. We must try to change the subject when the mourner wants to talk about what they are experiencing.
5. Listen and if this mourner is an unbeliever their heart might be opened up by God to receive Jesus Christ
as their Savior.
6. The Mouner does not need time right after their loss and we should go right over to
comfort them.
7. Sometimes people get angry at God for the loss of their loved one.
8. Roman 12v12 tells us this: "Rejoice with those who rejoice; mourn with those who mourn."
9. Believers don't mourn their loved ones passing because they know they went to heaven.
10. In times of grief, we sometimes make the mistake of focusing on a person's spiritual or emotional needs,
and forget his or her physical needs.
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Lesson 15
What About Divorce and Remarriage?
To understand the biblical teaching on divorce and remarriage, we should begin with an overview of marriage.
God instituted marriage, we are told in Genesis 2v18, when he made a wife for Adam. He instructed that a man ought to leave
the guardianship of his parents and cleave to his wife and become one flesh with her (Genesis 2v24). Of course, the wife should
do the same. The married man and woman were then to start a new family.
God's will is for marriage to last for life — with each partner loving, honoring, caring for and cleaving
to the other — just as Christ loves and cares for his church (Ephesians 5v22-33). The Bible teaches the sacredness of
marital vows. "I hate divorce," the prophet says, speaking God's words (Malachi 2v16). Of course, God hates all sin, including
hate, violence and pride. In that sense, divorce is no different from any other sin.
In an ideal world where human beings followed God's ways perfectly, made perfect choices in choosing their
marriage partner, understood what marriage was and faithfully kept their vows, there would be no need for divorce. But we
live in an imperfect world beset by human weakness, unfaithfulness, irresponsibility, people marrying the wrong person and
for the wrong reasons — and other such things. People sin, and they make mistakes when picking a mate. Millions of people
have been divorced.
Divorce is a fact of life in human society. (Even God divorced his bride Israel, because she persistently
strayed into sin — Jeremiah 3v8.) What does a person do if he or she has been divorced? Must that person stay single
and not marry? The answer is no.
Divorce is like any other sinful action. The sin is really in those conditions that created a situation in
which reconciliation seemed impossible and divorce the only option. This informs us that we should not focus on the divorce
itself as if this were the only sin. Rather, we should see divorce more as the final consequence of a string of sinful and
mistaken behaviors that destroyed a relationship.
However, when a person repents and is converted, all his or her past sins and mistakes are forgiven (Acts
2v38; Psalm 103v1-3, 10-12). Any past sins that led to the divorce and the divorce itself would be included. The person would
then be free to marry again. There is no sin in the new marriage and the sin of a past divorce is not a continuing one. Even
a believing married couple can fall into sin, compounded by more sins and after a while because of these sins not being repented
of a married relationship can be completely destroyed.
What of those who are Christian believers? Paul wrote about divorce and remarriage among Christians. He did
so in the form of wise opinion based on biblical understanding regarding situations that are difficult and confused (1 Corinthians
7v12).
Paul stated that those who have been divorced ("loosed") from an unbelieving mate do not sin if they marry
(verses 27-28). Paul does not advocate divorce in 1 Corinthians 7 — or anywhere else for that matter! However, Paul
does write that in his view a believer who remarries after being "loosed" from an unbelieving mate does not sin. Paul shows
that two ways of being "loosed" are by the departure of an unbelieving mate (verse 15) or by the death of one of the partners
(verse 39).
Paul admonished the church that a converted person should not leave or divorce a mate who is pleased to continue
the marriage (verses 10-13). Those who belong to Christ should obey him, not only in refraining from divorce but also in using
all their resources to build a truly loving relationship (Ephesians 5v22-31; 1 Peter 3v1-7). Our earthly marriages ought to
picture the great love relationship between Christ and the church (Ephesians 5v32).
The reality of life is that converted people also sin and create situations that lead to divorce. Or sometimes
converted people made mistakes in picking a husband or wife. At other times, mates claim they want to remain married but abuse
the marriage and their spouses. By their actions they demonstrate a lack of love and faithfulness. The point is that divorce,
while far from God's intention or desire for humans — especially among Christian believers — does sometimes happen
because of the destruction of the marriage by a mate who acts like an unbeliever.
As is true after any tragedy and dislocation of life, we must pick up the pieces and go on. For some divorced
people that will mean becoming married again. Is it a sin if they remarry? The answer must be no. True, it's not what God
intended from the beginning. (He didn't intend for people to murder, steal or covet either, but they do.) True, divorce creates
confusion — and so can remarriage. It can lead to children that are "hers, his and ours." But human life is that way
because of our spiritually fallen and sinful condition. Having said this in general about divorce and remarriage, how do we
understand Jesus' words in Matthew 5v32? There, Jesus said: "Anyone who divorces his wife, except for marital unfaithfulness,
causes her to become an adulterous, and anyone who marries the divorced woman commits adultery." Obviously, we cannot apply
Jesus' words in a literal manner, because then the apostle Paul's teaching in 1 Corinthians 7 would contradict
Jesus.
We also wouldn't want to take literally many of Jesus' words in the other sayings in this section. We wouldn't,
for example, gouge out our right eye if we lust when we see a woman (verse 29).
We should also be cautioned that not everything Jesus commanded people are timeless laws. For example, during
His earthly ministry Jesus told the disciples to preach only to "the lost sheep of Israel," and not the Gentiles or Samaritans
(Matthew 10v6,15,24). But after His resurrection He told them to go to Samaria and the rest of the world (Acts 1v8). During
His ministry Jesus told people to offer the sacrifices specified in the Mosaic law (Matthew 8v4). But it is clear that after
His death and resurrection — and the coming in of the New Covenant — such religious regulations are not commanded.
The book of Hebrews, for example, makes this clear.
This leads to a conclusion that we should see Jesus' teaching first in the context of His time and the people
to whom He was talking. We should also understand that during His life Jesus lived as a Jew within His culture and spoke to
those who were under the old covenant law. We should note that Jesus was addressing a male-dominated society, so He spoke
from a man's point of view about divorce. We don't know how rampant divorce was in the Jewish society of Jesus' time, but
it must have been a problem of large proportions among some groups.
That's why He had to address the divorce issue in Matthew 19v3-12 as well. Here Jesus, speaking to the Pharisees,
said that divorce was permissible under the Old Covenant "because your hearts were hard" (19v8). Jesus made the point that
this violated God's real purpose. "It was not this way from the beginning," Jesus insisted (verse 8). But it was legal and
was allowed.
Jesus' strong words must be seen against the backdrop of the way many Jews treated women and marriage. William
Barclay says the following in his Daily Study Bible Series commentary on Matthew, page 151:
Ideally the Jew abhorred divorce....The tragedy was that the practice fell so far short of the ideal. One
thing vitiated the whole marriage relationship. The woman in the eyes of the law was a thing. She was at the absolute disposal
of her father or of her husband. She had virtually no legal rights at all. To all intents and purposes a woman could not divorce
her husband for any reason, and a man could divorce his wife for any cause at all. "A woman," said the Rabbinic law, "may
be divorced with or without her will; but a man only with his will"...
The process of divorce was extremely simple. The bill of divorcement simply ran: "Let this be from me thy
writ of divorce and letter of dismissal and deed of liberation, that thou mayest marry whatsoever man thou wilt." All that
had to be done was to hand that document to the woman in the presence of two witnesses and she stood divorced.
Let us try to paraphrase the point Jesus may have been making in Matthew 5v32 in regard to such practices.
He may have been saying: "You think all you have to do is give a wife you want to get rid of a certificate, and that makes
your actions legal even though they are totally unjust. You simply tell her she's no longer your wife and throw her out of
your house. But I tell you there's only one legitimate reason you can divorce your wife, that's for marital infidelity. Otherwise,
you are nothing but an adulterer and you are causing your wife to be an adulteress."
Jesus was speaking to Jewish men of the time who used the pretext of a "certificate" to get rid of any wife
they no longer wanted. That was horribly unjust, and that is what He was concerned with — the unjustness of it all.
The same applies to Matthew 19v8-9 — where the Pharisees asked Jesus if the Jewish practice of divorcing their wives
for whatever reason they concocted was acceptable to Him (verse 3).
So we come back to our main point. The actions that lead to divorce violate God's purpose, as does every other
sin, including hate, coveting, killing, lying, stealing, greed — and so on. But the fact of the matter is that we are
human beings who are less than perfect, sometimes unspiritual and prone to make terrible decisions. This is why we see the
exceptions Paul made in 1 Corinthians 7. That's why Jesus had to get so strong with the Jews of His day who used any pretext
to divorce their wives.
The conclusion is this, marriage must not be taken lightly. It is something that must be entered into with
only other believers. It must be entered into with the understanding by both parties that marriage is intended for life
and that the only time divorce is permitted is because of unfaithfulness. Even then divorce should be the very last thing
to do. We as Christian are told by Jesus to Love our neighbors as ourself and to forgive 70 times 7. Shouldn't we then do
our very best to forgive our spouse at least that much. The fact that God is not pleased with divorce for any reason should
cause us as believers to do our level best to make our marriages work.
One more thing, TCOLW does not allow for common law marriages. We believe it is a sin. As a minister
of God we cannot ask God's blessing on this way of living. When a man and a women live together without being married it is
fornication. Believe it or not some want to become ordained by us and are living in fornication. Please, if
you are living in fornication do not expect that we will ordain you. Further, if we find out that you are, your ordination
will be revoked.
-----------------------------------------------------------------
LESSON 15 TEST
Please send your True or False answers only
send them like example below
lesson 15
1T, 2T, 3T, AND SO ON----------------
email all answers to churchoflivingwater2001@yahoo.com in subject line type "test 15"
Test questions or statements below, answer True or False
1. God's will is for marriage to last for life.
2. In an ideal world where human beings followed God's ways perfectly there would be no divorce.
3. Once a person is divorced they can never be remarried again.
4. Divorce is like any other sinful action it can be repented of.
5. Jesus said in Matthew 19v10, "Divorce was permissible under the Old Covenant "because your hearts were
hard"
6. God divorced Egypt.
7. A believer getting married to an unbeliever is Ok.
8. God is not pleased with divorce for any reason
9. Divorce does sometimes happen because of the destruction of the marriage by a mate who acts like an unbeliever.
10. If we truly loved our mates as we are commanded to love our neighbor then we should forgive them and continue
in our marriage.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Lesson 16, Minister Ordination
Individual states have enacted specific laws governing marriage, and specify the requirements
who they will allow to act on behalf of the government to officiate civil marriage contracts. Ordained members of the clergy
in most states are designated to act on behalf of the government in solemnizing a marriage contract. Outside of marriage,
the government has no vested interests regarding ordination, and as guaranteed by the U.S. Constitution the government is
not allowed to manage or interfere in religious matters. What makes an ordination legal is the recording of the ordination
decision into the church records. This issue was greatly tested and a great legal battle was won on behalf of Christianity,
especially online Christianity, ordination, and ministry, by a court ruling after the Universal Life Church fought the government
over these issues.
In the eyes of the U.S. government ordination has to do with the qualifying of the clergy to be a representative
of the state in solemnizing state marriage licenses, which is a civil contract. The state could care less if you are ordained
or not to proclaim the Gospel of Jesus Christ, or to teach a Bible Study Class.
It may be of great advantage to seek official ordination for certain ministries such as Hospital, Nursing
Home, Military, Police, and Fire Chaplains. Imagine one walking in off the street greeting the head Nurse of a Hospital, saying they
are a minister of God with NO credentials and demanding to visit terminally ill patients, and most likely you would either
be asked to leave or you might find yourself downtown answering questions at the Police Station!
Whatever you do, do not disgrace Jesus! If you're going to be a minister, then be a minister. Not some person
who knows nothing about the Bible, God, or the Christian Faith. This kind of person only serves their own ego, and disgraces
the Church and Christ by their own vanity. If you are not serious do not seek ordination because come judgment day you will
be called to an accounting!
And for pity sake, don't get ordained and drive immediately to you local ministers house, to rub your ordination
papers in his face! I have actually heard of some that have done this, and were surprised that the minister not only kicked
him out of their house - but also kicked him out of their church! Use good judgment and common sense, and be professional
as a Ambassador for Jesus Christ.
Christian Counseling regarding spiritual matters is one thing. But just because you are an ordained minister
does not make you a professional state certified Psychologist! Beware, this would be like practicing medicine without a license.
Many ministers have found themselves in hot water and deep.. deep legal troubles for giving psychological advise to suicidal
persons and have been sued for millions of dollars in wrongful death lawsuits! Don't give psychological advice! Your an ordained
minister not a doctor!
Being an ordained minister is no guarantee that others will equally recognize you as an ordained minister.
Other denominations have their own requirements. You cannot expect that you local pastor is going to step down after pastoring
the church for the last ten years, or recognize you as his equal within the congregation after he/she spent six years
in college seminary, while you were ordained online. If the shoe was on the other foot -- you would most likely feel the same
way. Offer your help and support and assistance, but don't go marching in, throwing down your credentials and demand a position
in the church! Be humble, considerate, professional and use common sense as a representative of Jesus Christ so as not to
disgrace Him, the church or yourself. Being ordained does not make the minister tax-exempt, nor does it
make your church tax-exempt. In fact the TCOLW does not believe one should seek tax-exemption. But each independent ordained
minister is free to choose their own way regarding the financial aspects of how they operate their ministry, as long as it
is legal. To be tax exempt you will need to contact and file the necessary paperwork with the IRS, using an attorney and/or
tax-consultant.
Being an ordained minister does not make one a non-profit corporation either. Again this is a legal entity
one would have to form separately, using an attorney, tax consultant, in forming a non-profit corporation with the state and
IRS.
TCOLW Terms and Conditions
Ministers are ordained of the TCOLW must agree to
the terms and conditions of ordination before being ordained.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------
LESSON 16 TEST
Please send your True or False answers only
send them like example below
lesson 16
1T, 2T, 3T, AND SO ON----------------
email all answers to churchoflivingwater2001@yahoo.com
in subject line type "test 16"
Test questions or statements below, answer True or False
1. What makes an ordination legal is the recording of the
ordination decision into the church records.
2. So in the eyes of the U.S. government ordination has to do with the qualifying of the clergy to be a representative
of the state in solemnizing state marriage licenses, which is a civil contract.
3. After ordination the minister in your church must recognize you as an ordained minister to serve with him
in his church.
4. Being ordained makes the minister tax-exempt.
5. Ministers who are ordained of the TCOLW must agree to the terms and conditions of ordination before being
ordained.
6. To be tax exempt you will need to contact and file the necessary paperwork with the IRS, using an attorney
and/or tax-consultant.
7. As an ordained minister we can legally give psychological advice to those that ask us for it.
8. As an independent minister you are not allowed to give psychological
advice!
9. Being an ordained minister makes one a non-profit corporation
10. Clergy in most states are designated to act on behalf of the government in solemnizing a marriage contract.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Lesson 17
The Church Of Living Water
Being called of God as a Pastor of the flock is a holy calling requiring profound selflessness in sacrifice
and love for others. You must submit yourself in total surrender to Jesus Christ and bear fruit of that relationship with
Him. This will require the highest degree of honesty, integrity, humility and unconditional love for others.
As chosen vessels you must be willing to stand alone in defense of the poor and destitute sinners of this
world, showing no respect for persons because of wealth, education, religious stature, or other power.
This is no ordinary calling, for you truly are the salt of the earth and the light of Christ in a dark and
dying world. Sincerity is a MUST! All who know you must know your sincerity as a minister of Jesus Christ and Pastor of the
flock
TCOLW - Introduction
We are an open minded community of believers who constantly
renew our commitment to a deeper understanding of God and His will for us. In the joy of salvation we freely fellowship and
worship in Christian unity. We believe in the freedom of choice, being individually responsible before God for our lives,
thoughts, and actions. Christians hold various views based upon our spiritual gifts, abilities to understand Scriptures, past
teachings, and national origins. We therefore advocate freedom of religion, seeking answers through study, prayer, and guidance
by the Holy Spirit. Having great love and admiration for each other without respect for wealth, race, gender, age or social
status. We are committed to seeking the will of God in our lives and faithfully dedicating our life to the service of Jesus
Christ that we may be helpers in the joy of salvation.
Purpose and Goals
Goals
The Church Of Living Water (TCOLW) is a non-denominational Protestant faith
association of Christians supporting each other in edification, fellowship and worship. Our goal is to empower the believer
in Jesus Christ with credentials and certificates through our online courses for the believer to be able to gain entry into
establishments. Our intention is to not take the place of the home church of each believer.
Mission
The TCOLW uses the Internet, its tape ministry, and its Nursing Home Ministry
as our primary tool for evangelism and Christian Fellowship, to proclaim the Gospel of Salvation through Jesus Christ as a
witness to the nations.
We exist in our ministry calling to assist others in their Christian callings through, inspiration,
teachings, and recognition by training and ordination and are committed to spreading the gospel to all nations in the establishment
of local ministries.
Giving as an action of worship
We do not participate in the deceptive practice
of teaching that the Old Testament laws were nailed to the cross, only to resurrect the law of tithing. Giving is as much
a part of worship as is prayer. Would one pray in secret and then go tell others what he prayed about, hoping to gain something?.
Of course that would be wrong and we feel tax-deductions are robbing us of spiritual blessings of worship. There is no greater
violation of the spiritual principles taught in Matthew chapter 6 than to be rewarded with a tax-deduction by the government.
Giving should be done freely as a testament of value determined by the giver.
The TCOLW does not claim Tax Exempt status even though we as a Church are exempt from taxation per the U.S.
Constitution.
Therefore any contributions given
to the TCOLW are not tax-deductible.
Tax Exempt
Being ordained does not make the minister tax-exempt, nor does it
make your church tax-exempt. In fact the TCOLW does not believe one should seek tax-exemption. But each independent ordained
minister is free to choose their own way regarding the financial aspects of how they operate their ministry, as long as it
is legal. To be tax exempt you will need to contact and file the necessary paperwork with the IRS, using an attorney and/or
tax-consultant.
Non-Profit
Being an ordained minister does not make one a non-profit corporation
either. Again this is a legal entity one would have to form separately, using an attorney, tax consultant, in forming a non-profit
corporation with the state and IRS.
2 Corinthians 9v10-12
(10) The One Who supplies seed to the sower and bread for
food will supply and multiply your seed and increase the harvest of your righteousness. (11) You are being enriched in every
way for all generosity, which through us produces thanksgiving to God, (12) for the administration of this public service
is not only supplying the needs of the holy ones but is also overflowing in many acts of thanksgiving to God. (13) Through
the evidence of this service, you are glorifying God for your obedient confession of the gospel of Christ and the generosity
of your contribution to them and to all others, (14) while in prayer on your behalf they long for you, because of the surpassing
grace of God upon you. (15) Thanks be to God for His indescribable gift! (NAB)
Matthew 10v7-10
(7) As you go, make this proclamation: 'The kingdom of heaven
is at hand. (8) Cure the sick, raise the dead, cleanse lepers, drive out demons. Without cost you have received; without cost
you are to give. (9) Do not take gold or silver or copper for your belts; (10) no sack for the journey, or a second tunic,
or sandals, or walking stick. The laborer deserves his keep. (NAB)
2 Corinthians 9v7
(7) Let each man give according as he has determined in his
heart; not grudgingly, or under compulsion; for God loves a cheerful giver.(NAB)
Matthew 6v1-4
(1) Be careful that you don't do your charitable giving before men,
to be seen by them, or else you have no reward from your Father Who is in heaven. (2) Therefore when you do merciful deeds,
don't sound a trumpet before yourself, as the hypocrites do in the synagogues and in the streets, that they may get glory
from men. Most assuredly I tell you, they have received their reward. (3) But when you do merciful deeds, don't let your left
hand know what your right hand does, (4) so that your merciful deeds may be in secret, then your Father who sees in secret
will reward you openly. (NAB)
Ordination
All of humanity has been called by the Gospel unto salvation and are
given gifts of the spirit to produce good fruit. But God has also called and foreordained some for to tend to the needs of
the flock, and to boldly proclaim the Gospel of Jesus Christ throughout the world
Our independent ministers are ordained for life, however there are reasons why a TCOLW independent Minister
could be dismissed.
1. Lying on their ordination request application
2. Found to be preaching doctrine and beliefs contrary to TCOLW doctrine and beliefs
3. Failing to notify us of change of home address and or email address
4. Refusing to allow their name, state addess, and ordination number to be posted on TCOLW web page ministry
roster.
5. Using a false name on your application for ordination, other then your true born name.
All applicants for ordination must be 25 years of age or older, and be of the Protestant Faith, have been
saved, called of God, received baptism and are attending a church fellowship and they must not have ever been convicted of
a felony.
Do not take upon yourself this calling if you are just playing religion and are not serious about the sacrifices
God will require of you. This is very serious indeed, for who he has been given much, much will be expected.
We will ordain all Protestant Christian applicants without respect to race, gender, nationality, or past and
forgiven sins. This does not mean we will ordain practicing homosexual without them first forsaking their sins and coming
to the place of humble repentance before Christ. This ministry is a ministry of love, that loves the sinners, but will
not love the sin.
Legal Issues
Every nation, state, or locality has varying laws regarding certain
degrees of the ministry. It is the full responsibility of every ordained minister to know and follow the laws in their region.
It would be totally impossible for us to know the laws of every region in the world, or to monitor the actions of every ordained
minister. The legal responsibility of every ordained minister lays solely upon themselves who shall hold the TCOLW harmless
as a result their operation, actions, practices, beliefs, and calling.
Association
Persons ordained by the TCOLW are independent ministers, and in no
way represent the TCOLW, or does the TCOLW represent the newly ordained ministers. We exist as independent entities practicing
freedom of religion in our perspective callings from the Lord Jesus Christ.
Christian Ceremonies
Countries outside the United States may have varying laws
regarding the officiating of certain ceremonies and rites. However in the USA ministers are only required to present credentials
or other paperwork if they are going to officiate a marriage ceremony. But to be a minister and officiate any other ceremony
does not require registration as far as we are aware. However it is your professional responsibility to know the restrictions
governing you region of the world.
Divorced Ordained?
As a result of great sacrifice of Jesus Christ on the cross
for our sins we can stand before the throne of God innocent of ALL our sins, and every bit as clean, and white, as Christ.
To say any differently would to be saying that His sacrifice is not good enough, and His cruel beating and death on the cross
was all in vain.
Christianity is about forgiveness and healing, and yet divorce, is being promoted as some kind of sin that
even the blood of Christ cannot fix.
Which is worse a person who has been divorced or a murderer? The Apostle Paul was responsible for the death
of many Christian men, women, and children before his conversion, yet he became one of the greatest ministers of the early
Church.
If you have asked God for forgiveness of you sins, including the sins that caused your divorce, He PROMISES
to forgive them. That is all... it is complete in Christ, your sins are forgiven.
Is Online Ordination Legitimate?
The Constitution of the United States guarantees
our right to freedom of religion. Yes, online/mail ordination is every bit as much legitimate as any Christian ordination.
The Church Of Living Water does not ordain anyone instantly online as most web based churches. After completion of TCOLW Discipleship
Course, ordination applications are taken online or by mail and a special prayer service is held for the applicant in his
or her absence, at this time I lay hands upon the applicant's official documents and pray for God's blessings upon the applicant.
After the blessing service the applicant's name and address is entered into our Oofficial church records as an Ordained Minister.
These records are kept at two places 1. Our registry book in our church office contains members' complete address ordination
number and date ordained and, 2. we enter the members' name, ordination number, date ordained and state he/she resides on
our unlisted web page not for public viewing.
The TCOLW is a Protestant non-denominational Christ-centered ministry, that promotes unity in faith and fellowship
in the joy of salvation.
The TCOLW is a membership laboring in love to humanity in this country and in other countries of the world.
All members of the TCOLW are members of respected Protestant mainstream Christianity
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When you are finished with this test fill out the ordination application below this test
and send it along with this test.
LESSON 17
Please send your True or False answers only
send them like example below
lesson 17
1T, 2T, 3T, AND SO ON----------------
email all answers to churchoflivingwater2001@yahoo.com
in subject line type "test 17"
Test questions or statements below, answer True or False
[If you want to be ordained please be sure to follow directions of number 11 on the
test below]
1. Being called of God as a pastor of the flock is
not holy calling.
2. TCOLW believes in the tithing laws.
3. Being ordained does not make the minister tax-exempt.
4. All of humanity has been called by the Gospel unto salvation and are given gifts.
5. TCOLW Ministers are ordained for life.
6. It is the full responsibility of every ordained minister to know and follow the laws in their region.
7. Persons ordained by the TCOLW are independent ministers, and represent the TCOLW.
8. The Apostle Paul was responsible for the death of many Christian men, women, and children before his conversion
9. TCOLW does not ordain women.
10. Our Ordained members shall hold TCOLW harmless as a result their operation, actions, practices, or beliefs.
11. This concludes your ordination tests. In order to become ordained you must fill out the ordination application
at http://tcolw.com/churchoflivingwater/id57.html fill out the form and click submit button. After we receive the application we will enter your name into our
Church records and send your free email certificates.
