If the Lord has placed a calling on your heart to become ordained, you may be wondering where to start. Maybe you have been prayerfully considering this next step for years but are unsure how to take the leap into ordination.

If that’s you, you are in the right place. Ordination doesn’t have to be an overwhelming process. Below, we have outlined how to become ordained in just a few simple steps so that you can step into your calling with confidence.

What Is Ordination?

First things first, what exactly is ordination, and how does it differ from licensing? Ordained ministers are typically permanent clergy members with the authority to conduct religious rites and sacraments. Generally, a license allows a more limited scope of ministry abilities and could be considered a stepping stone to ordination. However, differences vary depending on state and denomination, so be sure to check your own denomination’s requirements for the most relevant licensing and ordination information.

Step 1: Assess Your Spiritual Readiness

The first step to ordination is assessing your own spiritual readiness. Ordination is not something to be entered into lightly, so you want to ensure you have the right motivations and that you are spiritually mature enough for ordination.

A few questions to ascertain where you are spiritually:

Am I a regular attendee of a local church body?
Do I have a consistent prayer life?
Have I received mentorship from a pastor or clergy member who is further in their faith journey than I am?
Have I devoted a considerable amount of prayer and fasting to this next step of ordination, and have I earnestly sought the Lord’s guidance?
Do I seek daily to become more like Jesus in his humility, selflessness, and service?
Has the Lord called me to become an ordained minister, and have other believers confirmed that in my life?

To those whom the Lord has given the call of ministry, He will confirm His calling in their lives through His Word and His body of believers.

Step 2: Research Ordination Requirements

Ordination requirements vary between denominations. While some require a license before seeking ordination, others do not. Some other requirements that may be necessary include:

A Bachelor’s degree in theology or ministry and/or equivalent ministry experience with documentation.
Agreement with your denomination’s statements of faith and/or articles of belief.
A letter of recommendation from a pastor or spiritual mentor.
Theological classes or training.

Criteria differ widely depending on your denomination and your location. Be sure to research requirements for your particular denomination so that you are prepared to fulfill them accordingly. Regardless, you will need to establish a base of theological and biblical groundwork to become ordained.

Step 3: Fulfill Any Pre-Requisite Theological Training

This leads to the third step in your ordination journey: theological training. As the shepherd of your congregation or community, you will need to be rooted in a biblically-based education. Whether it is years in seminary, a Bachelor’s degree in ministry, or individual biblical leadership and theology classes, it is vital that you are properly equipped with a sound biblical framework.

A strong biblical foundation is necessary in order to lead your church or congregation with orthodoxy and sound doctrine. It also guarantees you remain committed to deepening your humility under another’s teaching.

Many candidates pursue Christian ordination online through structured programs that combine theological education with ministerial accountability. At CLSTG, we remove the primary barriers of cost and time by offering 100% online, flexible, and affordable degrees and ministry ordination programs. Explore our academic offerings and see how you can equip your calling to ordination!

Step 4: Fill out a Ministry Licensing/Ordination Interest Form

If you have made it this far, you are ready for an exciting next step. Our online Ministry Licensing/Ordination Interest Form only takes 5-10 minutes to complete, but it is the launch pad for your ordination journey. Once we receive your filled out form, CLSTG leadership will review it and notify you of next steps towards your certification.

Step 5: Obtain Your Ordination Credentials

You have done all the hard work of spiritual evaluation, researching your particular denomination’s requirements, completing theological training, and applying for your certificate. Now is the moment you’ve been waiting for: your certificate of ordination!

If you obtain your online ordination certificate through us, you will need to complete just 1 CLSTG course per year as a commitment to lifelong growth. We are here to provide accountability and fellowship in a community of like-minded Christian leaders, so you don’t ever have to walk this journey alone.

With your credentials in hand, you are free to fulfill your calling to pastor or plant a church, perform marriages and other sacraments, and faithfully serve God and your community.