About Us
I was ordained in the United Church of Christ in 1982. I resigned my orders and left the ministry and the church in 1990 and remained outside of any communal relationship until 2000, when I converted to Catholicism. As a Catholic I serve as a lector and eucharistic minister but I have also had the opportunity to perform marriage ceremonies and funerals but although I was ordained, I currently do not have standing in any communion as an ordained minister. It occurred to me that many others may have the same problem. The solution: The IGEPC.
When I formed the IGEPC I decided that what is truly needed is an extra-communal organization that has standards, that can give a seal of approval to the skills, spirituality and preparation of those who belong to us. Those who want to get the free parchments can go to the Universal Life Church. Here's the link. Those who are willing to pay a reasonable rate and submit to reasonable scrutiny for recognition of a previous ordination, for ordination, or for endorsement that one continues to qualify for ordination, will feel glad you found us.
The Rev. John W. Howell,
President and Founder
Interfaith Guild for Extra-Communal Professional Clergy