What is the Universal Life Church?

Definition and General Overview

The Universal Life Church (ULC) is an organization that ordains individuals as ministers through a minimal or virtually absent doctrinal requirement. Founded in the 20th century by Kirby J. Hensley, it has become known primarily for its open approach to ordination, allowing people of any background or belief (including no belief at all) to officiate ceremonies such as weddings. Unlike traditional Christian denominations, the ULC imposes no doctrinal statement concerning Scripture, the nature of God, or the identity of Jesus Christ. Instead, it generally emphasizes personal freedom, universal acceptance, and individual liberty in spiritual matters.

Because of its policy of granting ordination to a wide array of people—sometimes within minutes via online application—the ULC has drawn attention from both religious communities and secular authorities. Many who seek ordination with the ULC do so for convenience, especially to officiate weddings or other ceremonies in areas that require an ordained minister’s license.

Historical Background

Kirby J. Hensley founded the Universal Life Church in Modesto, California, in the late 1950s to early 1960s. The precise date is often identified as 1959 or 1962, although primary documentation can vary. Hensley’s original intent was to create a church that transcended denominational boundaries, organizing around an overarching ideal of universal goodwill. Under the principle that “we are all children of the same universe,” the church came to adopt an extremely broad definition of faith.

Over time, the ULC expanded in large part through mail-in requests for ordination documents. By the 1990s and into the 2000s, with the growth of the internet, the ordination process became even more accessible. This rapid increase in ordinations, combined with the church’s lack of a formal doctrinal creed, led to widely publicized legal questions about the validity of ULC ministers to perform weddings and other religious ceremonies.

Core Beliefs and Practices

A distinctive feature of the Universal Life Church is that it does not adhere to a confessional statement of faith associated with historical or mainstream Christian doctrine. Rather, it typically endorses these general principles:

• A broad tolerance of all belief systems (including atheism, agnosticism, and any world religion).

• The encouragement of personal exploration in spiritual matters.

• Minimal requirements for ordination and few ecclesiastical structures or accountability standards.

Such positions stand in contrast to Christian traditions that maintain a clear creed regarding God’s nature, Christ’s atoning sacrifice, the authority of Scripture, and humanity’s spiritual need for redemption (Romans 3:22–24: “And this righteousness from God comes through faith in Jesus Christ to all who believe. There is no distinction, for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God, and are justified freely by His grace through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus.”).

Practically, the ULC is most often used for the purpose of providing legal documentation to officiate weddings. Ordination with the ULC has also served as a platform for individuals to claim the status of “minister” without substantial religious training or acceptance of any doctrinal framework.

Legal Recognition and Issues

Since the Universal Life Church grants ordinations with minimal definition of doctrine, its legal status—particularly regarding the right to perform weddings—varies by jurisdiction. Some courts and state laws require an ordained minister to be affiliated with a recognized religious denomination of a certain structure, raising questions about whether ULC ordinations meet that standard.

Legal challenges in various U.S. states have resulted in conflicting judgments. In some places, ULC ministers are legally permitted to officiate weddings. In other regions, officials have questioned ULC ordinations on the grounds that the church neither exercises meaningful spiritual oversight nor demonstrates a genuine religious function akin to traditional, structured denominations.

Comparison with Biblical Christianity

1. View of Scripture

Mainstream Christian denominations teach that Scripture is God’s authoritative and inspired word (2 Timothy 3:16: “All Scripture is God-breathed and is profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness.”). By contrast, the Universal Life Church does not affirm a singular holy text as authoritative. Its framework generally suggests individuals can embrace any text or none at all, thereby lacking the doctrinal anchoring found in historic Christian faith.

2. Doctrine of God

Many orthodox Christian movements affirm one God in three Persons: Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. In the ULC, people of various beliefs—polytheistic, monotheistic, or non-theistic—are equally welcome. There is no explicit requirement to acknowledge the God of the Bible, the deity of Christ, or the Holy Spirit’s personhood (cf. Matthew 28:19–20).

3. Doctrine of Christ and Salvation

In biblical Christianity, the atoning death and bodily resurrection of Jesus form the core of salvation’s promise: “Salvation exists in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven given to men by which we must be saved” (Acts 4:12). The ULC, however, does not require acknowledgment of Christ’s uniqueness or resurrection for ordination. This wide-latitude model diverges from the Scriptural witness of Christ as the only path to reconciliation with God (John 14:6: “Jesus answered, ‘I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through Me.’”).

4. View of the Church

The Bible speaks of a universal church as the body of Christ (Ephesians 4:4–6). The way the term “universal” is used in the ULC does not necessarily correspond to the biblical concept of the universal fellowship of believers who are united in Christ. Instead, the ULC focuses on a universal acceptance of any belief, a position quite different from the familial and doctrinal unity emphasized in Scripture.

Scriptural Warnings and Encouragement

Various passages of Scripture warn believers against teachings that abandon or dilute the core truths of the gospel. Paul cautions, “But even if we or an angel from heaven should preach a gospel contrary to the one we preached to you, let him be under a curse!” (Galatians 1:8). Such stark warnings indicate the seriousness placed on preserving the message of salvation in Christ.

Yet, Scripture also encourages believers to show hospitality, compassion, and patience in conversation with those who hold differing ideas, in hopes of sharing truth graciously (1 Peter 3:15: “But in your hearts sanctify Christ as Lord. Always be prepared to give a defense to everyone who asks you the reason for the hope that is in you. But respond with gentleness and respect.”). While the Universal Life Church diverges from core biblical teachings, it opens the door for believers to clarify scriptural principles about God, Christ’s resurrection, and life’s purpose.

Practical Concerns for Christians

• Some individuals turn to the Universal Life Church solely for the convenience of performing weddings. In such cases, it is important to be aware of local legal stipulations regarding solemnizing marriage.

• Christians who value historic doctrine and biblical teaching may find issues of conscience with an ordination that does not require adopting the gospel message or acknowledging Jesus Christ’s deity.

• Though the ULC describes itself as a “church,” it does not function by the patterns that characterize biblical church ministry (e.g., teaching Scriptural truths, partaking in Christ-centered ordinances such as baptism and the Lord’s Supper, or operating under qualified leaders as described in 1 Timothy 3).

Archaeological, Historical, and Manuscript Evidence

From the perspective of biblical faith, the weight of archaeological discoveries—such as the Dead Sea Scrolls confirming the faithful transmission of ancient Scripture—and the consistency of thousands of New Testament manuscripts uphold the Bible’s reliability. By contrast, the ULC does not hinge its teachings on corroborating evidence of the biblical narrative, nor does it delve deeply into the significance of such scholarly findings.

Throughout history, believers have rested upon evidences of God’s work in the world—fulfillment of prophecy, the historical record of Christ’s resurrection, and personal experiences of transformation—to confirm that Scripture is the trustworthy revelation of the Creator. Indeed, copious manuscript support for the Bible (demonstrated by scholars such as Dr. Dan Wallace and others) underlines the authenticity and reliability of the Scriptures that point to the person and works of Jesus.

Conclusion

The Universal Life Church is a modern organization recognized primarily for its open approach to ordination and its minimal doctrinal structure. While it has served as a legal channel for officiating ceremonies, it fundamentally differs from the traditional marks of a church as discussed in the New Testament. Rather than centering on the biblical account of creation, the authority of Scripture, the uniqueness of Christ’s salvation, and the Holy Spirit’s transformative work, it offers almost unlimited spiritual individualism.

For those seeking to understand or evaluate the ULC from the standpoint of Scripture, key concerns include its neglect of Christ’s exclusive role as Savior and its absence of biblically grounded teaching on God’s redemptive plan through the cross. Nevertheless, its existence opens the door for biblical discussions about genuine faith, the nature of truth, and the call to care for souls by pointing them to the good news of Jesus (Romans 10:9–10: “If you confess with your mouth, ‘Jesus is Lord,’ and believe in your heart that God raised Him from the dead, you will be saved. For with your heart you believe and are justified, and with your mouth you confess and are saved.”).

In the end, this topic presents an opportunity to reflect on the crucial matter of where true spiritual authority resides. Scripture serves as a reliable foundation and final guide for faith and practice. As it is written, “Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light to my path” (Psalm 119:105). The Universal Life Church, while offering an accessible format for ordination, remains distinct from the faith once delivered to the saints (Jude 1:3). Individuals considering involvement are encouraged to weigh the teachings of the ULC—absence of formal statements about Christ, Scripture, sin, and salvation—against the clear call of the Bible, which proclaims Jesus as Lord and Savior for all who believe.