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Become a Minister or Wedding Officiant in Ohio

Do you want to officiate weddings in Ohio? Are you interested in helping couples on their big day? If yes, the Christian Leaders Institute and Christian Leaders Alliance have a free online program. This program trains you to do different ministerial jobs, including officiating weddings.

How to Get Ordained in Ohio

Training and Endorsement: The Christian Leaders Institute offers an online program that teaches you how to officiate weddings and other church jobs. But to get officially ordained by the Christian Leaders Alliance, you must finish the wedding officiant training (about 10 hours of studying) and get approval from your local community. This way, your community recognizes you and supports your work.

Managing Your Ordination: After you finish your training and get approval, your ordination details are held by the Christian Leaders Alliance in Spring Lake, Michigan. This makes it easy to keep track of your documents. Plus, you become part of the Christian Leaders Alliance Directory, making it easy for people to find and hire you for weddings or other church services.

Ohio Laws for Wedding Officiants: In Ohio, the laws about who can officiate weddings are in Section 3101.08 of the Ohio Revised Code. According to this, the people who can officiate weddings are:

  • Ordained or licensed ministers of any religious society or congregation: Individuals who have received ordination or license from a religious denomination, society, or sect.
  • Judicial officials: This category includes judges and retired judges of the Supreme Court, courts of common pleas, and county courts.
  • Mayors: The mayor of a municipal corporation in any county in which such municipal corporation wholly or partly lies.

Becoming a wedding officiant in Ohio can create many opportunities for you. You can get trained and officially ordained by joining the free online program by the Christian Leaders Institute and Christian Leaders Alliance. Once you do, your name is listed in the Christian Leaders Alliance Directory. This way, you can help couples on their special day.

To enroll in the program, follow these steps:

  1. Create a free study account with the Christian Leaders Institute and get familiar with the Study.christianleaders.org platform.  
  2. Enroll in the Christian Wedding Officiant Skills course and commence your training.
  3. After completing the Skills course, you will enroll in the Licensed Christian Wedding Officiant Recognition Class. This class recognizes your online training and completes your ordination into a local geographic endorsement-based ordination credential. You will be listed in the Christian Leaders Alliance Directory, and you may order your ordination credentials. You are eligible to register a local ministry at a Soul Center. 

Other Minister Roles in Ohio

Besides weddings, the Christian Leaders program also prepares you for other roles in the church. These roles can help you do different types of work within your community.

Roles in Ohio Beyond Wedding Officiant

  • Field Minister: This is for people with less time to study but a strong desire to do church work. The program offers free courses and mini-courses for lay ministers, church elders, and deacons.
  • Licensed Minister: This is for part-time ministers who want more training. The program includes 13 study credits and six mini-courses to improve your skills.
  • Coaching Minister: This is for people who want to use coaching methods in their ministry. This program has two free coaching courses. You’ll need to finish 15 credits and six mini-courses.
  • Licensed Ministry Chaplain: This is for volunteer chaplains in local places like fire departments or veteran groups. This program requires 18 credits and six mini-courses.
  • Ordained Minister: This is for people already doing ministry work or those who want complete training and credentials. This program includes 21 credits and seven mini-courses.

Conclusion: There are many ways to do ministry work in Ohio with the Christian Leaders Alliance. Whether you want to officiate weddings or take on other roles like Field Minister, Licensed Minister, Coaching Minister, Licensed Ministry Chaplain, or Ordained Minister, there’s a path for you. Learn new things, improve your skills, and make a difference in your community. Start your journey with the Christian Leaders Alliance and Christian Leaders Institute today.

My name is Mike Phillis. I have been a devoted member of Phillips Christian Church in Salem, Ohio, since I was 13 years old. I grew up in a godly home with exemplary family members to look up to. Shortly after graduating from high school, I became a Sunday school teacher. I have been happily married to my wife Lynn for 38 years, and at 63 years old, we have three adult children and three grandchildren. I had the privilege of teaching my own kids as they grew up in the church. Currently, I teach the adult Sunday school class and take joy in sharing God’s love with others.

Recently, my son became engaged and asked me to officiate his wedding. I informed him and his fiancé that I would consider performing the service for them, but I needed to answer a few questions first. These questions mainly revolved around obtaining the proper training and guidance. I came across some “unusual” websites during my search, but my delight knew no bounds when I discovered the Christian Leadership Institute (CLI) and immediately enrolled. Although the process has been challenging, it has also been incredibly fulfilling, and I am eagerly looking forward to completing the program. As I assist my son and his soon-to-be spouse in starting their lives together, I anticipate creating beautiful memories with our family.

I extend my gratitude and pray that God continues to bless CLI and its endeavors.

Suggested Links:

Study the Bible

Study the bible online in survey subjects, including Old Testament and New Testament studies. Visit the Holy Land with Ray Vander Laan courses, Biblical Interpretation One and Two, sponsored by That the Word May Know and Focus on the Family.

Free Online Bible School

Why is the school free to study at? Please find out more about the Give It Forward approach. Click here.

Non-Denominational

Read about the Biblical and non-denominational culture of CLI. Click here.

Help Marriages

Find out how the Wedding Officiant program promotes marriage. Click here.