🙌 Welcome to the Christian Leaders Institute Ordination Pathway for Ordination

🙌 Christian Leaders Institute Ordination Pathway

A Free, Trusted, and Global Journey to Ministry Credentialing

Are you sensing a call from God to serve as a wedding officiant, minister, chaplain, or spiritual leader?
The Christian Leaders Institute (CLI) provides a flexible, study-based path toward ordination through the Christian Leaders Alliance (CLA)—designed to equip Christians at every level of calling.

This path is free to access, supported by generous donations, and available worldwide to anyone with an internet connection.

📚 Christian Leaders Institute: A Ministry School for All Christians

CLI is a global, online educational ministry that offers a full catalog of free courses—ranging from short mini-courses to full college-level courses in ministry, theology, and Christian leadership.

These courses are offered through the Christian Development School, which powers the full training system of CLI. It includes:

• ✅ Mini-courses – Fast, topic-based learning to get started or gain insight on a specific issue

• ✅ Ministry skill courses – Practical tools for officiating, pastoring, preaching, counseling, and more

• ✅ College-level courses – Full academic-quality instruction in biblical studies, theology, philosophy, leadership, and more

All these course types may be required or recommended depending on the ordination role you're pursuing with the Christian Leaders Alliance.

🏫 Two Schools Within Christian Leaders Institute

1. Christian Development School

• Hosts all CLI courses—from short mini-courses to in-depth, multi-unit college courses

• Open to anyone, anywhere in the world, at no cost

• Prepares students for ordination roles through the Christian Leaders Alliance

This is where your journey begins. All students seeking ordination will start their coursework here.

2. Leadership Excellence School

• Selects college-level courses from the Christian Development School

• Offers low-cost degree credentials such as Associate and Bachelor’s Degrees in Divinity and Ministry

• Prepares students for higher ordination levels, such as the Minister of the Word credential

• Allows degree transfer into seminaries for further education

Many CLI students have earned a Bachelor of Divinity through CLI and received the Minister of the Wordcredential from CLA.
Afterward, they’ve gone on to pursue Master of Divinity degrees at seminaries across denominations—Baptist, Pentecostal, Reformed, Lutheran, and Catholic.

🕊️ Christian Leaders Alliance: Where Training Meets Ordination

Once your coursework and endorsements are complete, you can apply for clergy recognition with the Christian Leaders Alliance. CLA provides official ordination recognition for:

• Wedding Officiants

• Volunteer Ministers

• Chaplains

• Part-time and full-time ministry leaders

• Advanced ministers, such as the Minister of the Word

🔹 What Makes CLA Ordination Special?

• ✅ Study-Based: Rooted in biblical, theological, and practical coursework

• ✅ Endorsement-Based: Verified by one (Officiant) or multiple (Minister/Chaplain) personal references

• ✅ Ecuministry Friendly: Recognizes diverse Christian backgrounds and allows dual affiliation.

Ecuministry is a unique perspective that welcomes Christian leaders from diverse theological and denominational backgrounds. Our ordination:

• Affirms the essential doctrines of the Christian faith, such as those found in the Apostles’ and Nicene Creeds

• Respects denominational distinctions without division.

• Allows dual association, meaning you can be ordained by CLA and be non-denominational in regard to your calling and credentials and remain a member of another Christian denomination or fellowship. 

For example:

• A woman ordained as a Wedding Officiant with CLA may still attend a Southern Baptist church that does not ordain women

• A Catholic believer may be ordained with CLA to serve in weddings or ministry and  pursue deacon training in their local Catholic parish

• A Pentecostal leader may start with CLA ordination and  receive credentials with their denominational body

This model empowers called Christians to minister within their local context, even when formal ordination would otherwise be inaccessible.

🎉 Why This Matters

Christian Leaders Alliance has successfully equipped volunteer, part-time, and full-time clergy across the world through this ecuministry ordination model. It makes high-quality, biblically grounded clergy recognition accessible to every called Christian—without compromising local church membership or personal convictions.

Whether you serve one couple a year or lead a thriving ministry, your ordination through CLA validates your calling, honors your preparation, and provides you with practical tools to serve faithfully and confidently.

✝️ How to Begin Your Ordination Journey

Thousands of Christians have been ordained through Christian Leaders Alliance and are serving worldwide. Here's how to start:

1. ✅ Begin free coursework in the Christian Development School

2. ✅ Complete the training for your chosen clergy role

3. ✅ Submit personal endorsements (1 for officiants; 2–3 for ministers or chaplains)

4. ✅ Join the Christian Leaders Alliance clergy network

5. ✅ Order your Essential Clergy Recognition Kit, which includes:

   • A letter of good standing

   • A clergy ID card

   • A signed ordination certificate

Optional commissioning liturgies are available to help you celebrate and formalize your ordination in your local setting.

Christian Leaders Institute makes ministry education accessible.
Christian Leaders Alliance makes ordination possible.
Together, they support your calling—right where you are.