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

  1. Enroll at Christian Leaders Institute and complete the Getting Started Class: Scholar Orientation
  2. Complete the Deacon Minister Ordination program (10 credits)
  3. Take additional Ministry Training (20 Credits)
    • 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

  4. 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

Journey to Chaplaincy

Journey to chaplaincy

My name is Ed Johnston, and I live in the Adirondacks of New York State, USA. I worked in the Human Services field for 27 years. Throughout my career, I have supported people with developmental disabilities, senior citizens, and the terminally ill. On my chaplaincy journey, I am thankful for the ordination opportunity with training at the Christian Leaders Institute and ordination credentials with the Christian Leaders Alliance. It further equips me for my calling.

My Spiritual Journey

My Christian faith plays a central role in all I do. However, this was not always the case. Although I have always identified as a Christian, I pursued traditional and New Age spirituality in my early adulthood. In time, God moved in my life in such a way that it profoundly changed me.

Through the urging of a Pastor friend, I attended his church. At first, I only expected to make a one-time appearance. As I sat nervously in the back pew, all I could think of was leaving. However, God had other plans for me. As it would turn out, this was not my only visit. I have been a regular attendee for over twenty years, serving in the worship team and filling in for the Pastor when he is on leave. In short, my faith development can be described as sitting as far back in the church as possible to standing in front of the congregation.

My Degree Journey

At 40, I decided to finish my degree. Therefore, I graduated from Liberty University with an Associate of Interdisciplinary Studies and coursework through The Wilmington School of the Bible. However, along with academic success came increased debt. The student loan payments were more significant than the increase in pay my employer awarded for a degree. Nevertheless, my studies sparked my desire to learn more, but the cost was outside of my means.

It was not long after my graduation that I was on the search for affordable Christian-based education. I found the Christan Leaders Institute (CLI) and enrolled in their free courses. The course material was easy to follow and provided sound academic training that helped build a foundation of Christian knowledge. I later used what I learned from CLI and applied it to my other scholarly pursuits. I enrolled at Nations University (NU) and obtained a Bachelor of Religious Studies, a Master of Theological Studies, and a Master of Divinity.

Journey to Chaplaincy

The high-quality Christian education I received from NU and CLI supported my career efforts. They equipped me to serve in greater faith-based capacities. I am a Training Coordinator for a non-profit organization serving the needs of people with disabilities. Additionally, I work as a chaplain for a local hospice organization.

The education I gained has better equipped me on my journey to chaplaincy. I can serve others and share Christ’s love. I plan to develop a program supporting faith advocacy for people with disabilities.

The Deacon Minister Ordination will also aid my chaplaincy efforts, supporting people throughout my region.
CLI and CLA equip students to serve as Christian leaders, educators, ambassadors, and missionaries. Their affordable education and accessibility have opened opportunities for people that may have otherwise not been available. Thank you to the CLI administration and faculty for your commitment to academic excellence that fosters faith development and Christian leadership.

Register a Study Account

Register for a free study account, automatically enrolling you in the Getting Started Class at the Christian Leaders Learning Platform. The Getting Started class will take you less than an hour to complete.

When you log in to the Learning Platform, you will notice that the Getting Started Class automatically appears on your dashboard.    

The Getting Started Class will orientate you to the Christian Leaders Learning Platform and the Programs offered, including:

  1. Ministry Awards, Certificates, Diplomas, and Degrees with the Christian Leaders Institute.
  2. Minister Credentialling (Ordination) with the Christian Leaders Alliance, including local Soul Center registration possibilities. 

Note: You can enroll in tuition-free courses or mini-courses immediately without finishing the getting started class.  

Find out more about women in ministry here.

Obtain More Training for Ministry

Obtain more training for ministry

My name is Heather Felske. Obtaining the Licensed Christian Wedding Officiant certificate will benefit me when my family or participants from Celebrate Recovery ask me to officiate their wedding. Knowing that a reputable ministry school like the Christian Leaders Institute (CLI) issued my certification, I also feel more confident. My motive goes beyond having permission to marry someone. I wanted to obtain more training for ministry. I also wanted to learn more about marriage, topics to discuss in premarital counseling, and how to support the couple after marriage. Further, I learned valuable information from topics to use but also conversational topics not to include.

Jesus Christ gave me life and freedom from my hurts, habits, and hang-ups, which placed me on this journey. God has equipped me to get this far in ministry, which makes me profoundly grateful. It is an honor that God called me to serve others. Being a disciple of Jesus calls me to bring others to Him by the power of the Holy Spirit. In Celebrate Recovery, they taught me that others help us on the road to recovery. I serve hurting people and children with autism and also their families.

Obtain More Training for Ministry

The Licensed Christian Wedding Officiant course inspired me to obtain more training for ministry through the Christian Leaders Institute. The teachings were beautiful, the instructor was impressive, and the content aligned with my Christian beliefs and, most importantly, The Bible. I plan to pursue the Ordained Minister and the Kingdom Minister afterward. Free training is a significant aspect of all the courses at CLI. That has shaped my journey by paying it forward.

Register a Study Account

Register for a free study account, automatically enrolling you in the Getting Started Class at the Christian Leaders Learning Platform. The Getting Started class will take you less than an hour to complete.

When you log in to the Learning Platform, you will notice that the Getting Started Class automatically appears on your dashboard.    

The Getting Started Class will orientate you to the Christian Leaders Learning Platform and the Programs offered, including:

  1. Ministry Awards, Certificates, Diplomas, and Degrees with the Christian Leaders Institute.
  2. Minister Credentialling (Ordination) with the Christian Leaders Alliance, including local Soul Center registration possibilities. 

Note: You can enroll in tuition-free courses or mini-courses immediately without finishing the getting started class.  

Find out more about women in ministry here.

Called to be a Chaplain

Called to be a Chaplain

My name is Christopher Stigall, and I am 56 years old. I live in Tombstone, Arizona (yes, THAT Tombstone), and am a United States Marine Corps veteran. I have some seminary training but ran out of funds to continue paying the tuition in 2013. Further, I hold CLA’s Licensed Christian Wedding Officiant and Ministry Chaplain credentials.

My Story

When I was a child, I was surrounded by relatives who were devout Christians. At age 14, I decided to submit to the Lordship of Jesus Christ. Therefore, I made my public profession of faith. Since then, I have held various lay ministry positions, off and on, throughout the years.

In late 2014, I finished a shift at work. I was crossing a street in a crosswalk. A charter bus struck me with an illegal left turn on a red light. I have permanent injuries, including TBI (brain damage), and am legally disabled.

New Beginning at CLI

In late 2022, I felt I had recovered my mental functions well enough to study. I wanted and needed to refresh my (theological) education and carry it further, if possible. Since I had (literally) no money then, I looked for free options online. I discovered the Christian Leaders Institute and decided to do a course or two. The courses were excellent, so I jumped in with both feet. I chose not to transfer any credits as I wanted this to be a fresh journey. As of this writing, I’ve completed 149 credit hours, with a GPA of 3.958.

Called to be a Chaplain

I am pursuing the Minister of the Word and the Chaplaincy diplomas. Then, an event occurred a few months later that caused me to look back on my ministry activities. I always hoped to become a Pastor. However, looking back, I realize I was called to be a chaplain.

Therefore, I decided to obtain the Licensed Ministry Chaplain credentials. Official credentials will be beneficial and may open more opportunities to minister to others. Several people I’ve spoken with around town (including a couple of our pastors) think having a Chaplain here is a great idea, as we need one. I can now provide those services. I will finish working on the diplomas and then intend to pursue some of the other courses of study CLI offers.

Recently, I read a brief description of the difference between a “Pastor” and a “Chaplain” in a Chaplaincy textbook. A Pastor is attached to a church and has a congregation he is responsible for ministering to. A Chaplain is not connected to a church, has no congregation, and is responsible for ministering to anyone he meets, no matter their beliefs. A Christian Chaplain must always be an Ambassador of Christ to all people. That is what I am trying to do.

If you are wondering about CLI courses, these courses are as good, and some are better than any I took in other colleges and in seminary. If you want proper ministry training, here it is!

Register a Study Account

Register for a free study account, automatically enrolling you in the Getting Started Class at the Christian Leaders Learning Platform. The Getting Started class will take you less than an hour to complete.

When you log in to the Learning Platform, you will notice that the Getting Started Class automatically appears on your dashboard.    

The Getting Started Class will orientate you to the Christian Leaders Learning Platform and the Programs offered, including:

  1. Ministry Awards, Certificates, Diplomas, and Degrees with the Christian Leaders Institute.
  2. Minister Credentialling (Ordination) with the Christian Leaders Alliance, including local Soul Center registration possibilities. 

Note: You can enroll in tuition-free courses or mini-courses immediately without finishing the getting started class.  

Find out more about women in ministry here.