I want there to be multiple layers to the church. Most members are supposed to be the initiates. They take care of minor things and don't have access to any magic or other more important stuff. They will accept pretty much anyone and give him the starting rank.
Higher ranks are a different matter. Only few people actualy get far enough to get access to magic and most low ranking church members don't even know this stuff exists.
That's my goal. Make joining the church easy, but getting higher is supposed to be hard. That's why you start with just praying at some shrines to join and later you have to find the bloodstone to get promoted to become a "proper" member of the church.