To be certified in our religion you must take a series of classes through the church, since my husband and I are both certified as mediums and healers. We completed the course work on procedure and proper protocol, then you need to work during the worship service ("message service" is part of each Sunday's worship service in which mediums conveys messages from spirit) for 13 Sundays and also agree to give a longer reading during a minimum of 6 Mediumship Sundays. Only when you have fulfilled the requirements set by the governing church body over us can you be presented to the church board for certification. With healing it's the same, classes, serve as a healer for 13 Sundays and be presented for approval. By the time it comes to the board vote they know you and how you work, if there is any question then they can still vote no or decide to delay approval.
Once that was completed we are only then eligible to be accepted into the ministerial program where it was every Wednesday night for two years which were taught by the ministers (we have more than one minister per church the way our denomination is set up) in which we are taught how to conduct a service, theory, special services such as weddings, funerals, baptisms and the like. We had to sit down as part of our homework and learn to write services based upon an obituary or event in the newspaper. You also had sponsors that taught you things, almost like when I was in college doing my internship, if one minister was dong a funeral you went along with her to observe first-hand and usually took part in by reading something or leading a prayer or whatever she and the family would permit. The family's needs come first and we made a special point not to intrude. We also sat in on the pre-marital counseling before a couple got married to see how it was done and to learn what legal documents had to be filed where. While in training you lead worship services, discussion groups and preside over communion services. Once your sponsors agree that you're ready you're again presented to the board for approval to be ordained. I was ordained on July 20 of this year and my husband was ordained on October 12 so now we're both legally able to perform whatever services might be necessary. Since I also have a degree in social work and counseling, it also came in handy for the interpersonal counseling part of my minister training.
Probably more than you needed to know but there it is.
Her Serene Majesty, Cettie - Goat Queen of Zoltar, Sublime Empress of Her Caprine Domain