Are you called to bring Christ-centered presence, prayer, encouragement, and practical care into the everyday places where people live, work, gather, grieve, celebrate, struggle, and seek hope?

The purpose of the Community Chaplain Ordination Program is to equip Christian leaders with the calling, character, knowledge, skills, and accountability needed to serve as trusted spiritual care providers in community life.

Community chaplaincy is a ministry of presence. It does not replace the local church, pastoral ministry, licensed counseling, social work, legal advice, medical care, or emergency services. Instead, it comes alongside people with Christian compassion, wise listening, prayer by permission, appropriate Scripture encouragement, practical support, and referral awareness when needs move beyond the chaplain’s role.

Community chaplains may serve through churches, Soul Centers, neighborhoods, civic settings, nonprofit ministries, community outreach efforts, senior communities, recovery environments, family support ministries, workplaces, local events, and other relational ministry settings.

You’ll Learn to

• Understand the calling of community chaplaincy as a ministry of faithful presence, prayer, listening, encouragement, and practical Christian care
• Serve wisely in community settings such as neighborhoods, churches, Soul Centers, civic spaces, workplaces, senior communities, recovery environments, outreach ministries, and local relational networks
• Practice appropriate spiritual care by listening well, praying by permission, offering Scripture with sensitivity, encouraging people in hardship, and recognizing when referral or reporting is needed
• Support people in life’s sacred moments through wedding ministry, funeral ministry, grief care, family care, and community-based pastoral presence
• Maintain clear boundaries and accountability through ethical awareness, confidentiality limits, local oversight, role clarity, and sustainable ministry rhythms
• Develop a local community chaplaincy practice that reflects Christian maturity, public trust, servant leadership, and the mission of multiplying Christian leaders

Required Courses

Outcomes

Graduates are equipped to serve as recognized Community Chaplains in neighborhoods, churches, Soul Centers, civic spaces, workplaces, senior communities, recovery environments, outreach ministries, local events, and relational ministry settings—offering compassionate, credible, and biblically grounded spiritual care with wisdom, clear boundaries, and accountability.

Steps to Ordination

1. Enroll with Christian Leaders Alliance.
2. Complete required CLI training.
3. Submit endorsement(s).
4. Update your profile.
5. Order credentials.
6. Participate in commissioning.
7. Optional: publish your story or register a Soul Center.

Begin Your Journey Today