Small Groups or Bible Studies are a staple of a local church. Local volunteers often fill these leadership roles at the local church. Christian Leaders Institute has designed a program of study that brings free ministry training to Christian Leaders. This program includes 26 credits of ministry training.
Steps to be ordained as a Small Group Minister
- Enroll at Christian Leaders Institute and complete the Getting Started Class: Scholar Orientation
- Complete the Deacon Minister Ordination program (10 credits)
- Take additional Ministry Training (20 Credits)
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- Ministry 101 (3 Credits)
- Old Testament Survey (3 Credits)
- New Testament Survey (3 Credits)
- People Smart for Ministry (3 credits)
- Church and Ministry (3 credits)
- Developing House Churches (3 Credits)
- Deacon Minister Ordination (1 Credit)
- Ordained Small Group Minister Class (1 Credit)
Total Credits: 20 Additional Credits
- Take the Ordained Small Group Minister Class (1 credit) and order your updated ordination credentials. – Ordained Small Group Minister (1 Credit)
This one-credit hour class is for those leading small groups or Bible Studies. The dynamics of this course are centered around leading small groups at local churches. Your studies will focus on three areas. The first is Biblical content. The second is relationships and group dynamics. The third is communication.
As an Ordained Small Group Minister, your training will be for the following roles:
Small-Group Minister
House Church Minister
Bible Study Leader
Sunday School Teacher
Cell Group Leader
Kingdom Chaplain
Kingdom Chaplain
Commissioned to Serve on the Frontlines of Care, Crisis, and Christ-Centered Leadership
A Calling Beyond the Church Walls
The Kingdom Chaplain Specialization is one of the most advanced clergy credentials offered through the Christian Leaders Alliance. This powerful program prepares Christian ministers to carry the presence of Christ into places where people face suffering, crisis, and transformation—such as hospitals, fire and police departments, prisons, military units, schools, corporate offices, shelters, and recovery centers.
Kingdom Chaplains are not limited to the pulpit. They serve as Christ’s ambassadors in real-life spaces where hope is fragile and faith is often tested. They don’t come with pressure or performance—but with a Christlike posture of presence, compassion, wisdom, and Spirit-led discernment.
Why Kingdom Chaplaincy Matters
The need for chaplains has never been greater. In times of trauma, loss, and transition, Kingdom Chaplains are often the first to show up and the last to leave. They walk with people through intense grief, addiction recovery, family conflict, spiritual questioning, and more.
Rather than preach, they listen. Rather than control, they comfort. They offer prayer in hospital rooms, speak peace into chaotic environments, and guide others with truth and tenderness. A Kingdom Chaplain is both a servant and a leader—someone who holds space for healing while representing Christ’s heart.
A Path of Preparation and Purpose
Becoming a Kingdom Chaplain requires deep spiritual formation and ministry maturity. This is a Level 3 endorsement ordination program, built for those who have already demonstrated calling and readiness for advanced ministry leadership.
To qualify, chaplain candidates must complete a Level 3 endorsement with verified references, maintain a 2.0 GPA through Christian Leaders Institute, and complete 121 units of coursework. These courses cover foundational ministry training, core theological studies, and a variety of specialized electives designed to equip chaplains for the complexities of modern care ministry.
Rather than list each course, know that the curriculum spans more than 49 topics—including spiritual formation, biblical interpretation, theology, trauma-informed care, marriage and family ministry, apologetics, communication, leadership, grief care, ethics, and chaplain-specific skills like officiating weddings and funerals.
This training not only deepens biblical understanding—it also develops emotional intelligence, relational wisdom, and pastoral confidence.
What You Will Learn
The training journey includes coursework in:
Pastoral care, trauma-informed ministry, and life coaching
Old and New Testament surveys, theology, and apologetics
Ethics, communication, and leadership
Specialized chaplaincy skills including funerals, weddings, and spiritual counseling
Relationship support including marriage, parenting, and intimacy ministry
MinistryBiz and practical skills for bivocational ministers
More than 49 courses across diverse disciplines prepare Kingdom Chaplains to meet the emotional, spiritual, and theological needs of people in crisis. This program not only informs but transforms—shaping ministers who are strong in the Word and gentle in spirit.
The Mission and the Movement
Graduates of the Kingdom Chaplain Specialization are equipped to:
Minister in complex environments—hospitals, shelters, prisons, military settings, schools, and nonprofits
Offer biblically grounded, trauma-informed care in real-time situations
Represent Christ with grace and emotional intelligence
Lead ceremonies like weddings, funerals, and prayer gatherings
Mentor and train others called into chaplaincy
As a Kingdom Chaplain, you are part of a global movement. You are stepping into a high calling, joining hands with ministers around the world who are answering the cry of a hurting world with Christ’s healing presence.
Featured Testimony: Janet Giessl – A Kingdom Chaplain Called to Scribe, Serve, and Shepherd
From the mountains of Georgia (Caucasus) to the global online mission field, Janet Giessl is living out her calling as a Kingdom Chaplain—a prophetic and pastoral scribe equipped to bring Christ’s presence to the broken and spiritually hungry.
“My mission is to scribe the voice of God through writing, teaching, and creating biblically sound, prophetic resources that align with my passion for helping others heal.”
Janet’s faith journey was anything but linear. Raised Catholic in Germany with Philippine roots, she encountered Protestantism as a teen but later drifted into New Age practices like astrology and tarot. It wasn’t until 2019, when Jesus appeared in her dreams, that she became a born-again Christian.
“I’m so glad and grateful that Jesus… saved me by His grace.”
After her salvation, she sought discipleship and found Christian Leaders Institute. She earned her Bachelor of Christian Leadership degree in 2024 and began her Kingdom Chaplain ordination. CLI’s generosity and depth of training empowered her to expand her ministry as a teacher, blogger, coach, and now—chaplain.
“This ordination has revealed that I am called to serve outside the traditional church structure… Through it, I am equipping the saints for whole-person wellbeing—in both spiritual and physical health.”
Janet now leads two online ministries—Wisdom From Heaven and Creative Walk With Christ—offering biblical insights and expressive healing resources. Despite chronic health challenges, she continues to serve others with strength drawn from God.
“By God’s grace, His sustaining power sees me through each day, and His strength is made perfect in my weaknesses.”
Her life is a living example of what it means to be a Kingdom Chaplain—serving outside the walls of the church, fully devoted to the King.
Start Your Ordination Journey Today!
If God is calling you to become a kingdom chaplain, don’t settle for shortcuts. Choose a path that honors His design and equips you for real ministry.
Start your free training today
Receive official credentials with integrity
Join a global network of Christ-centered ministers
Click here to begin your journey »
Additional Sources:
Officiant Ordination Roles
- Wedding Officiant
- Romance Officiant
- Funeral Officiant Training
- Ministry Officiant
- Christian Officiant
Minister Ordination Roles
Kingdom Chaplain
Kingdom Chaplain Commissioned to Serve on the Frontlines of Care, Crisis, and Christ-Centered Leadership A Calling Beyond the Church Walls The Kingdom Chaplain Specialization is one of the most advanced clergy credentials offered through the Christian Leaders Alliance. This powerful program prepares Christian ministers to carry the presence of Christ into places where people face […]
Funeral Officiant
Becoming a Funeral Officiant: Proclaiming Hope Through Grief When hearts are broken and grief feels overwhelming, a Christian funeral officiant becomes a beacon of comfort, eternal perspective, and Christ’s presence. Across the globe, these ministers stand in sacred spaces—whether rural chapels or urban sanctuaries—guiding families through one of life’s most difficult moments. The Role of […]
Free Chaplain Training
The Chaplain Lifestyle: A Calling to Serve with Presence and Purpose Officiating Chaplain Trained to officiate weddings and funerals with biblical confidence and legal recognition. Ministry Chaplain Equipped to offer spiritual care and pastoral support in local churches, communities, and civic settings. Kingdom Chaplain Commissioned to serve as a movement leader in chaplaincy, outreach, and […]
Funeral Officiant
Becoming a Funeral Officiant: Proclaiming Hope Through Grief
When hearts are broken and grief feels overwhelming, a Christian funeral officiant becomes a beacon of comfort, eternal perspective, and Christ’s presence. Across the globe, these ministers stand in sacred spaces—whether rural chapels or urban sanctuaries—guiding families through one of life’s most difficult moments.
The Role of a Funeral Officiant: Bringing Christ’s Comfort
A funeral officiant grounded in Christ is more than a speaker—they are a spiritual anchor during the storm of loss.
Bridging heaven and earth
In the midst of sorrow, the officiant proclaims the Gospel of Jesus Christ, declaring His victory over death and His promise of eternal life:
“I am the resurrection and the life. He who believes in me will still live, even if he dies.” —John 11:25 (WEB)
Symbolizing unity in Christ
While traditions may vary, many Christian services include Scripture readings, prayer, hymns, and messages of resurrection hope—all centered on Christ’s power to comfort and restore.
A posture of hope, not despair
Christian officiants gently remind the grieving that while death brings pain, it does not separate us from God:
“Nothing will be able to separate us from God’s love, which is in Christ Jesus our Lord.” —Romans 8:38–39 (WEB)
Wherever you go—Africa, Asia, Europe, or the Americas—Christian funeral officiants carry a shared mission: to confront loss honestly while lifting eyes to eternity.
A Global Christian Ministry: Unity Across Cultures
Despite cultural differences, Christian funeral officiants serve with remarkable consistency in spirit and truth.
Shared values worldwide
Compassion, dignity, and Gospel proclamation are universal. From Kenya’s heartfelt hymns to Brazil’s moving testimonies, the message remains:
Jesus has conquered death.
Cultural variations, spiritual consistency
The attire, music, and rituals may change, but the theology doesn’t:
“To live is Christ, to die is gain.” —Philippians 1:21 (WEB)
A comforting presence
Whether standing beside a grieving widow in Manila or offering reassurance at a funeral in Warsaw, funeral officiants act as the hands and heart of Christ—bringing peace through prayer and presence.
Your Path Starts Here: The Christian Leaders Alliance Funeral Officiant Program
The Christian Leaders Alliance Funeral Officiant Program offers a sacred pathway for those called to minister at funerals—providing both spiritual formation and professional preparation.
What You’ll Receive
Biblical and pastoral training
Courses through the Christian Leaders Institute include:
Scripture study
Pastoral care and grief counseling
Funeral liturgy and logistics
Preaching in high-emotion settings
Practical ministry experience
You’ll learn to:
Write Christ-centered eulogies
Lead funeral ceremonies with peace and purpose
Offer one-on-one spiritual care to grieving families
Ordination and recognition
Upon completion, you’ll receive an official Christian Leaders Alliance ordination—equipping you to serve with both credibility and confidence.
A lifelong support network
Join a global fellowship of ministers who walk this road together—offering mentorship, ongoing training, and encouragement.
Why This Ministry Matters
Becoming a trained and ordained funeral officiant through this program provides lasting impact—for others and for your own ministry walk:
Professionalism with compassion
Families will feel truly cared for as you offer both competence and Christ-centered love.
Theological and spiritual fidelity
Your ministry will be grounded in Scripture, truth, and Spirit-led compassion.
Global unity in mission
Stand shoulder to shoulder with fellow Christian funeral officiants across nations—united in one hope.
A Messenger of Resurrection Hope
Grief may feel like an unscalable mountain. But Christian funeral officiants—trained and ordained through Christian Leaders Alliance—climb that mountain carrying resurrection hope.
Through cultural differences and language barriers, one message unites us:
Jesus lives, and so shall we.
The Christian Leaders Alliance Funeral Officiant Program, built on the training of Christian Leaders Institute, prepares you to be a messenger of peace, a vessel of Christ’s presence, and a guide toward eternal comfort.
A Real Story: Nembot Tagne Duplex, Cameroon
For over a decade, Nembot Tagne Duplex has served as a pastor in Cameroon, faithfully ministering to believers in every season of life—including some of their darkest moments. As a servant of God since 2014, he has often stood beside grieving families, offering comfort and biblical counsel during times of loss.
But until recently, Nembot lacked official certification as a funeral officiant—something he felt was limiting his ability to serve fully and confidently.
“I must humbly acknowledge that until now, I had no official certification to serve as a funeral officiant, which sometimes limited my ministry, especially in official settings or when working with families seeking spiritual guidance.”
Through the Christian Leaders Institute Funeral Officiant Program, Nembot has found not only recognition but deep spiritual and practical preparation for this sacred role.
“This funeral officiant certification will greatly enrich my pastoral service. It will allow me to carry out this ministry with more ease, freedom, and legitimacy, while honoring the expectations of grieving families and respecting the spiritual and cultural values of our African context.”
He pursued the program with clear purpose:
To respond with excellence to the pastoral mission of comforting the grieving and proclaiming the hope we have in Christ.
To professionalize his ministry, making room for future collaboration with institutions and a broader reach.
To witness to the Kingdom of God during moments when hearts are most open to the Gospel—like funerals.
“I have walked alongside devastated families, faced deep questions about life, death, and eternity, and I have come to understand that God is calling me to carry His comfort with wisdom, truth, and compassion.”
The training at CLI has equipped him beyond expectations. He’s already looking ahead to further study in pastoral care, church leadership, and eventually a Diploma in Pastoral Ministry.
“This course has taught me how to structure a funeral service, better understand the needs of grieving families, and most importantly, how to keep the hope of the resurrection at the center of the message.”
With gratitude, Nembot acknowledges the vision behind CLI and CLA:
“Because of you, I am better equipped to serve, to bring comfort, and to glorify God in every stage of human life—including the most silent one.”
Start Your Ordination Journey Today!
If God is calling you to become a funeral officiant, don’t settle for shortcuts. Choose a path that honors His design and equips you for real ministry.
Start your free training today
Receive official credentials with integrity
Join a global network of Christ-centered ministers
Click here to begin your journey »
Officiate with confidence. Lead with love. Honor God in every ceremony you perform.
Additional Sources:
Officiant Ordination Roles
- Wedding Officiant
- Romance Officiant
- Funeral Officiant Training
- Ministry Officiant
- Christian Officiant
Minister Ordination Roles
Kingdom Chaplain
Kingdom Chaplain Commissioned to Serve on the Frontlines of Care, Crisis, and Christ-Centered Leadership A Calling Beyond the Church Walls The Kingdom Chaplain Specialization is one of the most advanced clergy credentials offered through the Christian Leaders Alliance. This powerful program prepares Christian ministers to carry the presence of Christ into places where people face […]
Funeral Officiant
Becoming a Funeral Officiant: Proclaiming Hope Through Grief When hearts are broken and grief feels overwhelming, a Christian funeral officiant becomes a beacon of comfort, eternal perspective, and Christ’s presence. Across the globe, these ministers stand in sacred spaces—whether rural chapels or urban sanctuaries—guiding families through one of life’s most difficult moments. The Role of […]
Free Chaplain Training
The Chaplain Lifestyle: A Calling to Serve with Presence and Purpose Officiating Chaplain Trained to officiate weddings and funerals with biblical confidence and legal recognition. Ministry Chaplain Equipped to offer spiritual care and pastoral support in local churches, communities, and civic settings. Kingdom Chaplain Commissioned to serve as a movement leader in chaplaincy, outreach, and […]
Free Chaplain Training
The Chaplain Lifestyle: A Calling to Serve with Presence and Purpose
Officiating Chaplain
Trained to officiate weddings and funerals with biblical confidence and legal recognition.
Ministry Chaplain
Equipped to offer spiritual care and pastoral support in local churches, communities, and civic settings.
Kingdom Chaplain
Commissioned to serve as a movement leader in chaplaincy, outreach, and community transformation across broader societal spheres.
About Christian Leaders Alliance & Its Chaplain Programs
Christian Leaders Alliance (CLA) is a global community of credentialed Christian ministers committed to advancing the Gospel through accessible, study-based ordination. Partnering with Christian Leaders Institute (CLI), CLA offers tuition-free ministry training and credible minister credentialing for those called to serve in local churches, communities, and beyond.
Among its ordination pathways, CLA provides a structured chaplaincy track designed for Christians who want to serve as spiritual caregivers in both formal and informal settings. These chaplain programs prepare individuals to offer emotional, spiritual, and pastoral support in a wide range of contexts—from officiating weddings to leading community initiatives.
Officiating Chaplain Program
This entry-level chaplain program is ideal for those who want to serve as wedding and funeral officiants with confidence, legal recognition, and spiritual training. It equips leaders to perform ceremonies with biblical faithfulness and pastoral sensitivity.
Best for:
Ministry Chaplain Program
The Ministry Chaplain Program goes deeper, preparing you to provide ongoing spiritual care in your local community or ministry context. This program trains you to counsel, comfort, and pray with individuals in hospitals, care homes, civic groups, or crisis situations.
Best for:
Kingdom Chaplain Program
The Kingdom Chaplain Program is the most advanced, designed for individuals who want to become movement leaders—serving in corporate, nonprofit, or mission-based chaplaincy roles. This program includes advanced theological training, leadership development, and specialization in chaplaincy-related ministries.
Best for:
Each program is built on CLI’s flexible and accessible online training, leading to official ordination with the Christian Leaders Alliance. Whether you’re called to officiate weddings, minister in times of crisis, or serve as a chaplain in a broader context, CLA’s chaplain programs will equip you for faithful service.
In a world filled with spiritual hunger, emotional distress, and everyday crisis, chaplains shine as steady lights—calm voices in chaos, humble hearts in the storm, and faithful witnesses of Christ’s love in unexpected places.
This lifestyle isn’t about pulpits or platforms. It’s about presence.
Chaplains show up where people hurt, hope, or seek guidance—in hospitals, schools, firehouses, correctional facilities, nursing homes, military bases, and workplaces. Wherever God’s people are, chaplains go.
A Different Kind of Ministry
For many Christians, the call to ministry doesn’t look like full-time pastoral work. Some feel led to serve through listening, caregiving, counseling, officiating, or simply being available in times of need.
That’s the chaplain lifestyle—an adaptable, Spirit-led path of ministry that brings Christ’s comfort into everyday spaces.
What Do Chaplains Do?
Chaplains serve in many roles. They are often:
First responders to spiritual and emotional needs
Quiet listeners and prayer warriors behind the scenes
Officiants at weddings, funerals, and life milestones
Supporters of the grieving, the broken, and the seeking
Bridge builders between faith and community services
This lifestyle isn’t about status or spotlight.
It’s about faithful availability—being ready to offer Scripture, comfort, prayer, and guidance whenever and wherever God leads.
Many chaplains work part-time or volunteer while continuing in other professions. Some are full-time ministers. All are called.
Is the Chaplain Lifestyle for You?
Do you feel compassion rise when someone is hurting?
Are you the one people turn to in times of crisis?
Do you sense God nudging you to minister beyond the church walls?
If so, the chaplain lifestyle might be your path of purpose.
Chaplains often step into situations where no one else knows what to say—but they come with quiet confidence, Spirit-led peace, and a listening heart.
You don’t have to be a perfect speaker.
You just need to be willing, prepared, and grounded in Scripture and love.
Introducing the Christian Leaders Alliance Chaplain Program
If this calling resonates with you, the Christian Leaders Alliance (CLA) offers a flexible, donation-supported path to equip and ordain you for chaplain ministry.
With training through Christian Leaders Institute (CLI) and ordination through CLA, you can:
Get free, high-quality online training
Grow in biblical knowledge and ministry skills
Choose from specialized roles—such as:
Officiating Chaplain
Ministry Chaplain
Kingdom Chaplain
Corrections Chaplain
Public School Chaplain … and more
Become ordained through a recognized international alliance
Join a global community of volunteer, part-time, and full-time chaplains
This program is open to believers in every season of life—nurses, teachers, students, retirees, stay-at-home parents, and more.
A Lifestyle Rooted in Christ’s Mission
“The harvest is plentiful, but the laborers are few.”
— Matthew 9:37 (WEB)
Chaplains are harvest workers in unexpected places. They don’t wait for people to come to church—they bring the Church to the people. They sit with the lonely. They pray with the fearful. They speak life to the weary.
Is God calling you to this kind of lifestyle?
You don’t have to walk alone.
Join a growing movement of servant-hearted leaders who are being trained, commissioned, and released into chaplaincy—right where they are.
Visit www.ChristianLeadersAlliance.org to explore the chaplain roles, read real stories, and begin your training today.
Michael Skelton’s Story: A Life of Service Transformed by Free Chaplain Training
After nearly four decades of dedicated Christian service, Michael Skelton found himself standing at a crossroads—not of faith, but of calling.
“I’ve had the privilege of serving the Lord for close to forty years,” Michael reflects. “There have been high points and low points, but in recent years, I kept encountering more and more situations filled with grief, crisis, and sorrow. And honestly, I didn’t feel adequately equipped to help.”
That growing sense of inadequacy didn’t drive Michael away from ministry—it drove him deeper into it.
Michael had already spent years serving in charitable organizations and had even joined several knightly orders committed to justice and mercy.
“I believed in their missions and still do,” he explains. “But I couldn’t shake the feeling that something was missing. It was as if I was being nudged—called—even though I couldn’t yet name the destination.”
One late night while browsing online, he discovered Christian Leaders Institute—a free online training platform for ministry and chaplaincy.
“I started reading about their free chaplain training, and something clicked. This is what I had been searching for.”
That discovery launched a life-changing journey. Michael enrolled in CLI’s chaplaincy and officiant programs and never looked back.
“Since starting at Christian Leaders Institute, I’ve completed training to become a Wedding, Romance, Funeral, and Chaplain Officiant. Each step confirmed more and more that God was calling me to chaplaincy—not just as a role, but as a way of life.”
Now working toward his Kingdom Chaplain designation, Michael is prayerfully preparing to pursue the full Chaplain Award, Diploma, and possibly even a Bachelor’s Degree.
“This free chaplain training has changed everything for me. The Lord has used it to prepare me for the ministry I believe I was always meant to walk in.”
For Michael, chaplaincy isn’t about titles. It’s about being present.
“My prayer is to help others in their darkest hours and point them to the one true God. It’s not about fixing people. It’s about walking with them and representing Christ in love.”
Michael emphasizes how CLI’s flexible format made this journey possible:
“I have a demanding work life and home life. The ability to take courses when I can—at my own pace—has been a real blessing. For that, I thank Christian Leaders Institute and Christian Leaders Alliance from the depths of my heart.”
Called to Serve? Consider the Chaplain Lifestyle
Michael Skelton’s story is a powerful example of what happens when a willing heart meets a Spirit-led opportunity.
If you’ve ever wanted to bring hope, healing, and Christ’s presence to people in crisis…
If you long to be a light in dark places…
Then maybe God is calling you too.
Start Your Journey Today!
If God is calling you to become a chaplain, don’t settle for shortcuts. Choose a path that honors His design and equips you for real ministry.
Start your free training today
Receive official credentials with integrity
Join a global network of Christ-centered ministers
Click here to begin your journey »
Additional Sources:
Officiant Ordination Roles
- Wedding Officiant
- Romance Officiant
- Funeral Officiant Training
- Ministry Officiant
- Christian Officiant
Minister Ordination Roles
Kingdom Chaplain
Kingdom Chaplain Commissioned to Serve on the Frontlines of Care, Crisis, and Christ-Centered Leadership A Calling Beyond the Church Walls The Kingdom Chaplain Specialization is one of the most advanced clergy credentials offered through the Christian Leaders Alliance. This powerful program prepares Christian ministers to carry the presence of Christ into places where people face […]
Funeral Officiant
Becoming a Funeral Officiant: Proclaiming Hope Through Grief When hearts are broken and grief feels overwhelming, a Christian funeral officiant becomes a beacon of comfort, eternal perspective, and Christ’s presence. Across the globe, these ministers stand in sacred spaces—whether rural chapels or urban sanctuaries—guiding families through one of life’s most difficult moments. The Role of […]
Free Chaplain Training
The Chaplain Lifestyle: A Calling to Serve with Presence and Purpose Officiating Chaplain Trained to officiate weddings and funerals with biblical confidence and legal recognition. Ministry Chaplain Equipped to offer spiritual care and pastoral support in local churches, communities, and civic settings. Kingdom Chaplain Commissioned to serve as a movement leader in chaplaincy, outreach, and […]