Multiplying Ministers in Every Rank, Race, and Region

A Minister Credential Handbook

The Christian Leaders Alliance (CLA) is a Christian organization focused on empowering and equipping individuals who feel called to ministry. Its mission revolves around proclaiming the Gospel and ministering to others, with an emphasis on spreading Christianity. By providing training and credentials, the CLA supports individuals in various ministry roles, ensuring their efforts are reproducible and recognized.

The emphasis on “reproducible” suggests that the CLA is interested in ministry methods and practices that can be easily replicated or taught to others, thereby enhancing the spread of Christian teachings. Credentialing indicates a commitment to maintaining a standard of knowledge and professionalism among those serving in ministry roles. This group could include officiants, ministers, coaching ministers, pastors, evangelists, chaplains, and other church leaders.

This dual approach ensures that the teachings of Christianity are not only spread widely but also delivered by well-prepared and recognized individuals. It’s a strategy aimed at strengthening the impact and reach of Christian ministry in various communities and contexts.

Tens of thousands are studying ministry! See Directory.

Thousands are credentialed! See Minister Directory

Each credentialed minister is welcome to consider Soul Centers.  Soul Centers are local religious societies where ministry is registered and shared under the banner of the Christian Leaders Alliance. 

The Minister Mobilization Cycle

Consider the mobilization cycle: If each called, trained, and credentialed minister served in their local sphere and mobilized six or more Christians, who were also called, trained, and credentialed to minister in their local spheres, and these individuals in turn found six Christians to perpetuate the cycle, Christianity would spread at an even faster rate.

As they further their education, they are not only advancing academically but also advancing the Kingdom. The objective is for them to make disciples who then make more disciples until the good news is heard worldwide.

The program is equally suited for Biblical churches seeking commonality and collaboration. As readers go through this document, they will encounter the term “ecuministry.” Ecuministry identifies the common ground in how diverse Christian groups minister without attempting to resolve every disagreement.

This Minister Credential Guidebook details how the Christian Leaders Alliance uses the training of the Christian Leaders Institute to credential ministers for the local Church and Kingdom. It also lays out a “Mobilization of Local Ministers” process.

Grassroots Strategy

Why are grassroots tuition-free and low-cost credentialing programs necessary?

The early Church set a precedent for a grassroots program reliant on the development of maturing ministers. The disciples of Jesus and apostles like Paul dispersed to various locations, as documented in the book of Acts, showing how these Christian leaders reached out and trained others who replicated the process.

As this cycle continued, the number of Christians and ministers grew exponentially. Having matured in their faith and outreach capabilities, these ministers created new ministers, fostering the spread of a Christian movement.

Some of these ministers embraced the significant responsibility of becoming major proponents of Christianity. These individuals are the bishops referred to in 1 Timothy 3.

Early Grassroots Ministers

Reflecting on the early grassroots ministers, they diligently engaged with people of every race and social standing. The narratives from the Church’s first century illustrate how God empowered individuals regardless of their status — enslaved or free, wealthy or poor, male or female — to lead as Christians and Christian leaders.

Celsus, a pagan author in the early second century, voiced his displeasure, noting that Christianity seemed to appeal to “only foolish and low individuals, and persons devoid of perception, and slaves, and women, and children,” whom he observed were the primary targets for conversion by those preaching the divine word.

The Gospel continues to touch individuals from every background, with ministers emerging from all social layers. Every Christian has the potential to step into ministry. The divine call to provide tuition-free training and credentialing resonates still.

The Christian Leaders Alliance leverages the worldwide web to promote a grassroots strategy, enabling the sharing of courses without tuition fees.

The Christian Leaders Alliance utilizes the tuition-free courses offered by the Christian Leaders Institute to train aspiring ministers. Each minister is assigned a mentor and undergoes a local recommendation process.

The Christian Leaders Alliance then credentials these leaders, listing their qualifications in the Christian Leaders Alliance Minister Directory.

Thousands of ministers have completed programs at the Christian Leaders Alliance in over 100 countries. Click here to see the Christian Leaders Alliance Minister Directory. These credentialed ministers can serve in churches or register their local ministry with Soul Centers. More on Soul Centers later. Click here to visit the Soul Centers website. 

Minister Recognition

In the early Church, credentialing included a significant ceremony: the laying on of hands. This act not only credentialed but also empowered the new minister through the Holy Spirit’s endorsement. Paul’s reminder to Timothy about his ordination and commissioning as a minister is captured in 2 Timothy 1:6, where he says, “For this reason, I remind you to fan into flame the gift of God, which is in you through the laying on of my hands.”

This process of credentialing provided Timothy with greater confidence in his ministry. Unlike self-credentialed individuals who might seek “online-only credentials,” Timothy’s authority was derived from a direct, personal commission. He stood in contrast to figures like Simon the Sorcerer, who, misunderstanding the sacred nature of this empowerment, attempted to buy the Holy Spirit’s power, as recounted in Acts 8:18: “When Simon saw that the Spirit was given at the laying on of the apostles’ hands, he offered them money.”

Takeaway:

The Christian Leaders Alliance offers an accessible training and credentialing program designed to be inclusive while maintaining Biblical integrity and rigorous standards. The program combines thorough, scripture-based training with a credible credentialing process, echoing the early Church’s tradition of empowering ministers through meaningful, hands-on commissioning that can be done at local levels everywhere.

Start Your Ministry Training and Credential Program. Click Here

Offering Supported Concept 

The Bible outlines the practice of offering as a funding model, where each person contributes what they can. This method of funding ministries has sustained Christianity since its inception.

For 2000 years, offerings have met the needs of Christian associations, including missions, ministries, and churches. The Christian Leaders Alliance aligns with this approach as closely as possible, offering ministry training courses tuition-free and keeping credentialing program costs low.

It has witnessed God’s blessing through this model. The mission multipliers of the Christian Leaders Institute have covered the budget for free ministry training. This approach represents an ongoing journey of faith, continuing as long as donations are received.

It invites churches, individuals, and foundations to consider supporting or partnering with this offering-supported approach.

Become a Vision Partner. Click Here

Early Church Minister Credentialing Program

You may be wondering if you could be called to be a minister. Jesus Christ now lives in you, but you may have secretly disqualified yourself. You have whispered to yourself that you:

• are not perfect enough
• have a past that is too broken
• cannot afford ministry training
• are a woman
• are damaged
• are too poor
• are too rich
• are too old

Calling to ministry often defies all common sense conventions. 

If you have disqualified yourself up to this point or have resisted the calling to ministry but “know” you are called, keep reading.

The Christian Movement Launched

The Holy Spirit launched an unlikely “saving grace” movement with surprising characters. 

• Tax collectors like Matthew and Zacchaeus 
• Fishermen like Peter and John
• Women like Mary of Magdala, Johanna, and Phoebe
• Pharisees like Nicodemus and young zealot Saul, later named Paul. 

The mobilizing minister story of early Christianity starts moments before Jesus ascends to heaven with a promise. He promised his disciples and every disciple who has ever lived the gift of the Holy Spirit. 

Jesus said, “But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you. You will be witnesses to me in Jerusalem, in all Judea and Samaria, and to the uttermost parts of the earth.” (Acts 1:8)

This promise started the global Church and the movement of Christianity. 

 Called to Be a Witness

Do you identify with being called to be a witness? Acts give us a “play-by-play” of the multiplying minister’s story. So, After Jesus’ death, resurrection, and ascension, the movement of Christianity started. 

Forty days after Jesus’ ascension, the Holy Spirit empowered more followers of Jesus on a feast day called Pentecost. These followers ministered in other languages. Peter preached and introduced a revolutionary concept for that day. 

Quoting from the prophet Joel, the prophets of this movement included daughters and sons, men and women, enslaved or free, old and young, poor and rich. All strata. 

As Jesus sent twelve ordinary men, the Holy Spirit calls and mobilizes ordinary people like you and me to be the prophets. See Acts 2:1-18.

Numbers of Christians Added

The Holy Spirit added many people in those first days of Christianity. 

The Apostles added more ministers. Barnabas signed on. Phony ministers showed themselves, like Ananias and his wife, Sapphira. They died in their deceit. Sincere and honest people are candidates for ministry. 

 As with every movement, including Christianity, needs arose. The Acts 6 conflict between widows prompted the expansion of ministry roles to include deacons. The Greek word “deacon” is the word “diakonos.” The word deacon means minister or servant. 

A ministry program of fair food distribution to the widows began. This ministry program rejected racism and favoritism. Six deacons made up those ministers. They were: Stephen, Philip, Prochorus, Nicanor, Timon, Parmenas, and Nicolaus. Three decades later, we know of the first-named woman minister (deacon), Phoebe (Romans 16:1). 

Appointing Deacons – A Watershed Moment

Interestingly, appointing the deacons was a watershed moment for mobilizing and multiplying ministers. One of those appointees, Stephen, was the first martyred minister (Acts 7).

Robert M. Johnson, in a published article titled “Leadership in the Early Church During Its First Hundred Years,” pointed out,

There was only one appointive ministry. The book of Acts records no other. Since there was only one, we could call the officer either diakonos (suggested by “diakonein” in Acts 6:2), a word describing function, or (presbuteros), a word describing dignity (maturity when the appointive ministry was first begun when it was only one without any ranks in it.” (Journal of the Adventist Theological Society, 17/2 (Autumn 2006): 2–17)

In other words, All appointed leaders are ministers. New ministers (diakonos) serve, grow and learn. They become elder or maturing (presbyteros) ministers. Some mature ministers become bishop (episcopos) ministers who are ministry super-spreaders. 

Multiplying Leaders Pattern

This pattern was the reproducible multiplying minister pattern that continued after the Disciples and Apostles.

As the Church expanded, the minister’s office became more distinctively separated into minister (diakonos) and bishop (episcopos). Ministers continued their discipleship or training and became increasingly advanced in their leadership. They became senior ministers in their local areas. Some of these sensed the calling to organize more ministries or churches. These leaders became bishops (episcopos). 

In other words, ministers (diakonos) were the typical newer ministers, the elders/ministers (presbyteros) were the established ministers, and the bishops (episcopos) were the Christian movement spreaders.

Eventually, the Catholic church hierarchy, influenced by the Roman style of governing, formalized and centralized ordination. Christian Leaders Alliance uses the pre-catholic hierarchy approach, which still benefits significantly from how God used the Catholic Church and other ancient churches to pass down Christianity. 

Now that you know how the early Church reproduced new ministers, the focus is on your calling. Is God stirring your heart toward a ministry role in the future? 

Christian Leaders Alliance Programs

Are you curious about the Christian Leaders Alliance?

The Christian Leaders Alliance operates as a division of the Christian Leaders Institute, a Christian religious nonprofit based in Largo, Florida, USA. The Institute has established a global minister commission and aims to develop state and national organizations to oversee the credentialing of ministers. Its mission is to amplify the impact of difference-makers worldwide by offering programs that educate, mobilize, credential, connect, launch, and replicate Christian leaders across the globe.

The origins of the Christian Leaders’ vision trace back to 1993 when Amway co-founder Rich DeVos agreed to mentor Henry Reyenga and Steve Elzinga in the leadership principles that had contributed to Amway’s success, co-founded with Jay Van Andel.

Their mentorship focused on strategies for Christian leaders to replicate themselves while ministering within their respective spheres. It delved into the science of cultivating leaders who, in turn, would develop more leaders. This vision led to the formal establishment of an organization following September 11, 2001.

Foundation of Christian Leaders

Christian Leaders was officially founded on September 20, 2001, by Henry Reyenga, Ron Parr, and Rich DeVos and was registered as a religious nonprofit in 2005. The organization benefited from the contributions of many leaders, including Pamela Reyenga, Steve Elzinga, Marty Ozinga III, Ed Van Drunen, Brian DeCook, David Feddes, and Jerry Lorenz.

The initiative sought to nurture grassroots Christian leaders capable of inspiring more leaders in a multiplying effect. A strategy was formulated to establish training and credentialing programs covering various Christian and ministry subjects.

Originally named “Christian Leaders,” this title continues to encapsulate the organization’s core mission.

Programs Offered by Christian Leaders

Christian Leaders runs three primary programs: the Christian Leaders Institute, Christian Leaders College, and Christian Leaders Alliance.

• Christian Leaders Institute for Christian Development – Launched in 2006, the Institute provides tuition-free ministry training, including college-level courses. Ideal for Christians or ministers seeking tuition-free courses or affordable Ministry Awards, Certificates, and Diplomas.
• Christian Leaders Institute for Leadership Excellence – For those who require a degree to advance to a Master’s program, the Leadership Excellence School offers a cost-effective degree with numerous transfer options.

Accreditation Status

Christian Leaders Institute noticed the need for accredited college degrees for people who need those credentials. The Christian Leaders Institute was granted candidacy status with the ABHE, an accrediting body of the United States Department of Education, in February of 2024. Click here to see the USDE listing. Many accredited institutions have accepted our programs already (See current partners).

Christian Leaders Alliance Program – If you are called to study the ministry courses that precisely fit your calling and credential needs, Christian Leaders Alliance has a program that starts you out with Diakonos-level training and credentials. If you are called to progress with more advanced training, more advanced training and credentialing categories are available. The advanced categories are Presbuteros and Episcopos level training and credentialing (more on these levels later).

The Minister Credentials are overseen through the Christian Leaders Alliance, which has a Global Ministers Commission, an international commission of licensed and ordained ministers.

Licensed Roles:

Licensed roles, including those of officiants and ministers, are typically designated for individuals called to address specific ministry needs or to serve as bivocational ministers within their local communities.

A licensed minister undergoes ministry training and usually acquires a license that authorizes them to perform certain ministerial functions. The criteria for receiving this license are generally more accessible and require less time than those for becoming an ordained minister.

At the Christian Leaders Alliance, the path to becoming a licensed minister involves completing foundational ministry training provided by the Christian Leaders Institute, obtaining one or two endorsements, and being registered in the Christian Leaders Alliance Clergy Directory.

For some, the journey ends with becoming a licensed minister, fulfilling their perceived calling within this capacity alone. Nevertheless, for others, this role serves as a preparatory phase, a preliminary step towards the more demanding ordained roles. Becoming a licensed minister offers a chance to accumulate hands-on ministry experience and to affirm their dedication to serving before progressing to a rigorous process of ordination, which will include more training and more recommendations.

Fully Ordained Roles:

Contrastingly, an ordained officiant or minister has completed a more extensive and in-depth theological education and training. This thorough process involves securing at least three endorsements that meticulously assess the individual’s spiritual calling and aptitude for ministry leadership.

Upon progressing to full ordination, these Christian leaders gain broader recognition and are deemed highly qualified to assume diverse and significant roles within their local ministry settings.

In Summary:

Within the Christian Leaders Alliance framework, both licensed and ordained ministers are pursuing ministerial credentials. However, the journey to full ordination is marked by a more demanding and thorough set of criteria. Ordained ministers are acknowledged for their significant standing and authority within their communities. Conversely, licensed ministers often focus on specialized tasks. Many licensed Christian leaders are discerning their calling, evaluating whether further ministry training and credentialing align with their vocational path.

What is the Global Ministers Commission of the Christian Leaders Alliance?

The Commission serves as the spiritual covering for the certification, licensing, and ordination processes and programs at the Christian Leaders Alliance. It is understood that many individuals credentialed through the Christian Leaders Alliance also receive local or denominational oversight for their ministry activities.

Global Ministers Commission provides a connecting point for credentialed ministers to encourage, inspire, and support both current and future minister members of the Christian Leaders Alliance in their daily walk with Jesus Christ, focusing on the perspective of ministerial credentialing.

This Commission is led by Henry Reyenga, president of Christian Leaders, NFP., and Brian DeCook, who serves as the General Secretary. In serving the Church worldwide, the Commission honors the diversity of opinions on women as credentialed ministers.

Start Your Ministry Training and Credential Program. Click Here

What Credentialed Roles Are Available?

Christian Leaders Alliance has established three categories of ministry training and credentialing. Each category has roles appropriate to the ministry level.

Diakonos Level Minister Training and Credentialing Program

The Diakonos level includes six core minister roles. Each core role includes appropriate training and local endorsements. This level is specifically designed for volunteer and part-time church or kingdom ministers. A church minister usually serves in a local church, and a kingdom minister usually serves through a soul center category or another ministry. The Diakonos level of training and credentialing gets called Christians into the ministry world and mobilized as Christian ministers.

Core Diakonos Level Roles

Officiant Roles

Echoing the priestly functions of Old Testament priests who officiated at the altar on behalf of the people, the role of the Officiant today brings clergy recognition to those called to serve God’s people. This connection is rooted in the tradition and instruction found in Leviticus 10:11, where priests are commanded to perform ceremonies and teach the Israelites all the decrees the Lord has given them through Moses. Thus, the modern Officiant’s role in facilitating ceremonies and imparting spiritual teachings continues the sacred duties assigned to the priests, bridging ancient practices with contemporary ministry.

Wedding Officiant (1 module) –  The Officiant role begins with training and credentialing to perform local weddings. This would allow your Church to launch a wedding ministry in your community. A wedding officiant must gather one recommendation. All Officiant Roles have this foundational recognition.

Romance Officiant (2 modulest)— A Romance Officiant assists individuals in initiating or enhancing their existing romantic relationships, guiding them towards engagement, marriage, or vow renewal. The primary aim of a Romance Officiant is to support Christian individuals in establishing or revitalizing healthy romantic connections. The Romance Officiant program includes:

• Multiplying Christian Leaders (1md)
• Wedding Officiant Skills Course (1 md)
• CLA Wedding Officiant Recognition Course
• Romance Officiant Skills (md )

Funeral Officiant (2 Modules)

A Funeral Officiant assists individuals who have experienced the loss of a loved one. Funeral officiants may also serve churches or funeral homes as they minister to those who have lost a loved one. They are trained to minister to those grieving and provide officiating services.

• Multiplying Christian Leaders (1 md)
• Funeral Officiant Skills (2 Cr)

Ministry Officiant (3 modules)

Christian Officiant Overview 

• Wedding Officiant Skills Course (1 md)
• Ministry Officiant Skills (3 md)
• Romance Officiant Skills (2 md)
• Funeral Officiant Skills (2 md)
• Advanced Officiant Ministry Skills (2 md)

Christian Officiant serves individuals in their church or community in the following ministry topics. The Officiant is trained in the basics of their duties.

• Weddings
• Vows and Renewals of Romance
• Baptisms and Dedications
• Engagements
• Funerals
• The Lord’s Supper
• Professions of Faith
• Confessions of Sin
• Forgiveness Prayers and Ceremonies
• Anointing Ceremonies
• Care Facilities Visits
• Spiritual Warfare
• Master of Ceremony Events with God invited

This program and role is ideal for volunteer or bi-vocational Christian leaders, this program provides all the essential skills training needed to minister effectively to a wide segment of the Christian community.

Minister Roles

Drawing on the teachings and inspiration from the ministerial roles exemplified in the New Testament, Minister positions within the Christian Leaders Alliance are designed to embody the call to shepherd God’s people and spread the Gospel. Paul’s words in 2 Timothy 2:2, “And the things you have heard me say in the presence of many witnesses entrust to reliable people who will also be qualified to teach others,” perfectly capture the essence of a Minister’s role: to faithfully transmit the teachings of the faith, ensuring that the wisdom and teachings of Christ are preserved and passed down through generations. Consequently, both licensed and ordained ministers at the Christian Leaders Alliance reflect the New Testament’s model of mentorship, teaching, and spiritual leadership, nurturing a continuum of faith that bridges centuries.

Field Ministers (Commended) (8 CLI Credits and seven mini-courses)  – The Commended Minister program consists of several mini-courses and complete courses that prepare a volunteer minister for fruitful service in a local church. A commended minister must gather one recommendation. This program is ideal for local elders and deacons. One benefit of this program includes building on the Licensed Wedding Officiant role.

Licensed Ministers (13 CLI Credits and six mini-courses) – The Licensed Minister program consists of a well-rounded program of ministry courses, including mini-courses and college-level courses. Licensed ministers are often considered ready for part-time employment in a local church. This program requires two recommendations.

Coaching Ministers (15 CLI Credits and six mini-courses)   –  The Coaching Minister program comprises many ministry courses, coaching, and life coach training for ministry application. Coaching ministers in a local church offer the Church and community another way to help people live well in Christ. This program requires two recommendations.

Licensed Ministry Chaplain (18 CLI Credits and six mini-course) – Are you called to share the presence of Christ with those in challenging circumstances? Have you seen yourself as a volunteer or part-time Ministry Chaplain? The Ministry Chaplain program is ideal for volunteers trained and licensed as clergy to serve at hospitals, fire departments, police stations, businesses, and many more places. (Career Chaplains need degrees, usually including a Master’s Degree)Licensed Ministry Chaplain

Ordained Ministers (21 CLI Credits and seven mini-courses) – The Ordained Minister program has more extensive training in ministry, including more college-level ministry courses. Ordained ministers often become volunteer, part-time and full-time ministers. This program requires the gathering of three recommendations.

Presbuteros Level Minister Training and Credentialing Program

The Presbuteros credentialing level is for those interested and willing to go further in their ministry effectiveness. Four minister roles at this level require three recommendations: Evangelist, Professional Coaching Minister, Pastor, and Commissioned Minister.

Evangelist (36 CLI Credits and ten mini-courses)  – The Ordained Evangelist program is for those primarily called to reach people for Jesus Christ. The Ordained Evangelist has all the basics for being a fully ordained minister and includes many additional topics that inform and equip the called evangelist in this mission.

Professional Coaching Minister (42 CLI Credits and nine mini-courses) – This ordained coaching role gives extensive training in professional coaching. We recommend the completion of the plus practicum, where these coaching principles are further developed.

Pastor/Shepherd/Priest (52/53 CLI Credits and ten mini-courses) – This ordained Presbuteros level training and credentialing are designed for a local church pastor. This role can be called pastor, shepherd, or priest, depending on where the minister serves.

Ordained Ministry Chaplain (62 credits and twelve mini-courses) –  Ministry Chaplains serve their communities as ministers who structure their ministry efforts around chaplain expectations.

This means that these ministers understand they are not in their setting to preach sermons at a church to a congregation. They are there to minister to a diverse group of people, some of whom may seek them out to welcome the presence of God into their situation. People may seek them out for a conversation about something that is troubling them. They may not know where to turn, and they may not attend any other religious society. However, they are aware that they are a chaplain. Perhaps they are connected to a business, organization, or community.

Episcopos Level Minister Training and Credentialing Program

It is desirable to seek the Episcopos level training and credentialing as 1 Timothy 3:1 says. These roles in the early Church were filled by bishops who continued the work of the apostles and spread Christianity throughout and beyond the Roman empire. There are three roles at the Episcopos training and credentialing level at Christian Leaders Alliance which all require three recommendations.

Commissioned Minister (74 CLI Credits and ten mini-courses) – This training exceeds the expectations of commissioned minister programs in many historic denominations. This program is equivalent to an associate’s degree at a ministry college.

Missionary (91 CLI Credits and ten mini-courses) – The Missionary’s role is for the kingdom multiplier. It is called the Missionary role because, like the early apostles, these mature ministers have the gift of faith and the desire to plant churches or encourage others. These are movement leaders who study the ministry science of the spread of Christianity.

Kingdom Chaplain (122 CLI Credits and 15 mini-courses) – This Episcopos-level training is not for the career chaplain. A career chaplain must complete the bachelor program at Christian Leaders College and a master’s degree at another accredited school. Kingdom Chaplains are special operations ministers who wear many hats in a community, region, or online.

Kingdom Chaplains minister to bring the presence of Christ to their spheres of influence. Kingdom Chaplains often work behind the scenes, praying and serving in various venues. These venues could be:

• Volunteer Political Chaplain
• Business Chaplain
• Coaching Minister Practice
• Volunteer Ministry Chaplain
• Full-time Corporate Chaplain
• Community Developer
• Non-Profit Leader

These Kingdom Chaplains often operate a registered soul center in their community, working behind the scenes as “ministry angels.” This rigorous program equips leaders for many operations.

Minister of the Word (123 CLI Credits and 15 mini-courses) – This Episcopos-level training and credentialing is our most extensive ministry program. A minister trained and credentialed at this level has gone over every facet of ministry.

This Minister of the Word training includes academic, ministry, and ministry skill training to minister well in a community and multiply Christianity. This position would be ideal for a church planter, senior pastor, or large church minister.

Start Your Ministry Training and Credential Program. Click Here

What Ministry Specializations Currently Exist?

These specializations apply to all Christian Leaders Alliance minister roles. For instance, you are recognized as a licensed wedding officiant (1 Credit) and a minister of the word (123 Credits), yet specialize in each role with the matchmaker specialization. Even though the Licensed Wedding Officiant is only one study credit and the Minister of the Word is 123 credits, that specialization will apply in both cases.

Ecumininistry Credentials

Christian Leaders Alliance partners with called ministers in training and with their local Church or ministry and the leader mentoring them. Christian Leaders Alliance coined the word “ecuministry” as a combination of two words. One part of the word is “ecu,” which refers to “church” from the word “ecclesiastical.” The word “ministry” focuses on shared ministry as the goal. This word differs from “ecumenical”, which seeks to agree on the various Christian traditions.

Ecuministry seeks to find agreement in the places we can do ministry together. The fact is that there is much room for agreement and room to agree to disagree on many issues in Christianity. Ecuministry credentials often function as co-credentials with the local Church. A called ministry candidate completes a minister credential program at Christian Leaders Alliance and receives a minister credential. A representative of the Christian Leaders Alliance signs the credential. There is also a place for the signature of a local church or ministry leader.

“We are part of a denominational church: what then?” 

If you are part of a denominational church, you will not need to involve the larger denomination in this process. Denominational churches often ordain this leader as a “deacon or elder” as it relates to the local Church. Further, as it relates to community recognition, they are also credentialed through the Christian Leaders Alliance.

The local Church and leaders recognize their journey in ministry training and recommend them to a local ministry. The Christian Leaders Alliance recognizes the training process at the Christian Leaders Institute and the recommendation process at the Christian Leaders Alliance. The Christian Leaders Alliance posts these leaders as credentialled ministers.

“We are a non-denominational church; what then?”

Your Church recognizes the Christian Leaders Alliance credentials as accepted. You mentor the minister candidate through the process, grant local approval, and schedule a commissioning service.

Administering the Mobilization of a Minister

We recommend a few more steps in mobilizing a Christian Leaders Alliance minister. These are helpful administration procedures that complete the mobilization process.

1. Develop Volunteer or Part-time Minister Position Job Descriptions –  A job description in the work world outlines the expectations and parameters of a work role. A minister position description does similar things for volunteer or part-time positions in the local Church.
2. Schedule a Commissioning Service – The Commissioning Service publicly recognizes the local minister’s training and ecuministry credentials. Ministers trained and credentialed with the Christian Leaders Alliance are encouraged to be commissioned at a local church event. President Reverend Henry Reyenga from Christian Leaders Alliance signs their credentials. An ordained leader from the local Church must also sign them.
3. Schedule Effectiveness Meetings – Depending on the role, there is an expectation that these local credentialed ministers meet with church leadership for mentorship and effectiveness monitoring.

Start Your Ministry Training and Credential Program. Click Here

Existing Credential Ministers Are Welcome to Affiate with Christian Leaders Alliance? 

Are you an Ordained minister, Ordained Minister, Ordained Pastor, or Minister of the Word who has completed your ministry training at a Bible School, Bible College, or Seminary?  

Were you previously licensed or ordained with another denomination or church religious society (non-denominational Church)?

Would you like to affiliate with Christian Leaders Alliance as a good-standing minister? 

Christian Leaders Alliance welcomes credentialed Christian leaders to join the Alliance in a minister role similar to what you are currently holding with your current or previous religious society, whether that society is a denomination, non-denominational Church, or Christian ministry. 

This minister credentialing program for minister affiliation and recognition fits you if: 

• You are looking to affiliate with a global religious society.
• You are looking for a worldwide religious organization that allows you to keep your credentials in your current religious society or only at Christian Leaders Alliance. Christian Leaders Alliance enables you to hold dual credentials if you choose that. 
• A local church ordained you, but you moved to another location. Therefore, you would like to keep your minister credentials in good standing. 
• You know or are a mentor to students of the Christian Leaders Institute and ministers of the Christian Leaders Alliance, and you are interested in pursuing the minister credential program for yourself. 
• You are interested in registering a soul center for your ministry work. 

Courses Program Requirements: 

• Calling and Connection Course (1 Credit) or Christian Leaders Connection Course (3 Credits)
• Recognizing Ministers With Credentials (1 Credit)

Steps to Affiliate (this course will walk you through):

1. Complete the courses program requirements
2. Demonstrate your Bible School, Bible College, and Seminary Credentials. 
3. Establish your good standing as a minister. You will need to submit three recommendations. 
4. Review and agree to the statement of faith 
5. Complete an interview with a representative of the Christian Leaders Alliance. 
6. Order your Active Credentials. 
7. Learn about the Soul Center Local Registration Opportunity.

Credential Role Received:

Affiliated Minister: This recognizes that you are now a minister in good standing with the Christian Leaders Alliance. You will be listed in our minister directory, allowed to purchase your credential package and register a soul center.

What About Women as Ministers?

Ordained Women Ministers Are Allowed And Encouraged

The debate over whether women trained in ministry can become ministers has persisted throughout history and across various faith communities.

The Christian Leaders Alliance enthusiastically supports the training and credentialing of women as ministers. For more information, please visit our “Women as Ministers” page. Click here. 

Christian Leaders Alliance
Statement of Faith

This Statement of Faith was settled on when Christian Leaders Institute began offering classes in 2006. Since then, the Christian Leaders statement of faith has guided the development of the classes and worldview.