Advanced Degrees of KM
KM Advanced Ministerial Church
As the Temple, Kautantowit's Mecautea is divided into a KM Mystery School, a KM Seminary, and a KM Ministerial Church, students and graduates of the Mystery School and Seminary are encouraged to do spiritual community work through the mentoring programs of the Ministerial Church. Ministerial Members have the option to be legally ordained, but are not required to do so.
Ministerial Members in good standing can apply for legal ordination within the Temple. Legal ordination grants the High Priest/High Priestess/High Priests the legal right to perform marriages and funerals, as well as eases any restrictions regarding hospital visits or prison visits as professional clergy. Ordination is highly recommended for any and all Ministerial Members who seek to do the work of professional clergy full or part time. Ordination is not required to be a Ministerial Member or do work in the Temple and is in now way expected or required, nor is anyone entitled to ordination simply because they are Ministerial Members in good standing.
Ordination is the very last step in the ministerial process, and while service is appreciated, ordained ministers represent those who have not only done the work, but are active in the community, have a vision for their ministerial work in relationship to the Temple, and embody the ethos, ideals, and principles of the Temple to represent us in the outer world as ministers. Ultimately ordination indicates a profound level of trust the leadership has in the ordained minister and that often takes time to develop. Applicants for ordination should be involved in service and volunteering with the Temple. The process of volunteering and developing can be considered a level of "on the job training" as powerful, educational, and transformative in its own way as the Mystery School.
Ordained ministers become part of the Temple’s referral network for professional clergy, including referrals for rites of passage, public ritual, spiritual counsel, psychic readings, teaching and spiritual healing work. Only ordained ministers in the Temple will be considered for positions as “official” teachers within the Mystery School and Seminary. Ordained ministers have several options to continue the work of the Temple directly with the main body of the Mystery/Seminary, volunteer in the other eleven areas of service, or in certain select cases, through the establishment of a number of approved groups:
Ordination grants specific benefits and also carries further responsibilities to the Temple. Any Ministerial Member in charge of organizing any ritual, workshop, performance, circle or any other gathering is responsible for ensuring all necessary liability insurance either through the Temple, or the facility renting space. The Temple is not responsible for events where appropriate insurance has not been arranged. Ordained ministers wholeheartedly receive the support of the Temple, its resources, website, mailing list and network for official Temple events and to support the individual ministries of each ordained minister. Mentors and guides for the ordained minister will be available to navigate the world of professional clergy. Ordained ministers are ultimately responsible for checking with local state and county authorities to any specific legal requirements for clergy in their area.
The Ministerial Church is divided into twelve major areas of service. Each is based upon one of the twelve zodiac signs and its archetype as taught in the Seminary. Each of the twelve ministries is further subdivided into three areas. The first is a public area of service to the greater community. The second consists of work primarily for the Temple and its members. The third is the mystical service provided to the community, often unseen and unheard, but vitally important nonetheless.
The leaders of the ministries are graduates of the Seminary, forming a twelve person Ministerial Council to report to and advise the Temple’s Board of Directors. Students of the Mystery School and Seminary are advised to look at the areas of service and seek out additional mentoring to serve our community both in the physical and spiritual worlds.
SPIRITUAL CODE FOR MINISTERIAL MEMBERS
The following guidelines are aspirations we encourage our Ministerial Members, ordained or not, to embody to the best of their ability. They represent ideals in the Temple of Craft we are all working towards. Those who are not in harmony with these core ideals may not be suited for Ministerial Membership.
Responsibility
We take responsibility for our words, thoughts and deeds, observing the balance of nature and spirit, and strive to live the essence of the Wiccan Rede in “harming none” whenever and wherever possible. Community We recognize the value of community and work to develop and nurture our community and tradition.
While being leaders, we also recognize we are truly called to serve. We honor our obligations to our spiritual community but are also mindful of responsibilities to family, friends, local community, and country.
Spirituality
We actively work on our own spiritual evolution, education, and healing, exploring new mysteries while grounding them in the wisdom of Witchcraft. We maintain a spiritual practice that nourishes us on a physical, mental, emotional, and spiritual level, keeping a healthy balance where we can be of service.
Reverence
We honor the Divine as both Goddess and God, immanent in the Earth and Universe, and transcending beyond the bounds of space and time. We strive to honor and protect the world, and our immediate environment. We work in service and partnership with the Divine.
Tolerance
We respect other views of Witchcraft, Wicca, Paganism, Magick, and Spirituality, even when we do not necessarily agree with them. Clear and honest dialogue is encouraged, even when the result is to agree to disagree.
Boundaries
We maintain appropriate boundaries, treating others with respect while acknowledging our own vulnerability and personal issues. Whenever there is a personal conflict of interest with a student, client, or other Temple member, refer those seeking aid to another Ministerial Member within the Temple, or to a qualified minister outside of the Temple who can provide appropriate aid.
Mediation
When disputes occur within the Temple or the larger community, we seek a peaceful resolution for all parties involved. Whenever possible, we seek mediation to settle the disputes fairly and equitably, calling upon our sisters and brothers in the Libra Ministry.
Empowerment
We seek to claim our own power as Witches, meaning that we take action, work for beneficial change, and own the outcome of our choices. We also seek to empower others, preferring to teach them to do for themselves (and to own the outcome of their choices) rather than doing things for them, whenever possible.