How to Get Ordained in Arkansas
Unlock Ministry Opportunities with the Christian Leaders Institute and Alliance Program
Introduction: Are you ready to embark on a fulfilling path of ministry in Arkansas? 
Becoming an ordained minister opens doors to serve your faith community and officiate sacred ceremonies. Whether your calling is to unite couples in marriage or engage in various ministerial roles, understanding Arkansas’ laws regarding ordination and the resources available to you is essential.
Understanding Arkansas’ Ordination Law for Wedding Officiants:
In Arkansas, the process of becoming an ordained minister is guided by state law, which holds significance when it comes to officiating weddings. According to the Arkansas Code, Title 9, Chapter 11, Section 9-11-215, ministers of the gospel, priests, rabbis, or other spiritual leaders who are authorized by their respective religious organizations can solemnize marriages. This includes individuals who have obtained ordination through reputable online ordination programs. Therefore, there is no requirement to register with any government office as a wedding officiant.
As an ordained minister, your responsibility is to complete the marriage license in the presence of the couple and any required witnesses. Additionally, you will guide the couple through the marriage ceremony, ensuring their commitment and intention to marry. After the ceremony, the completed marriage license must be filed with the county clerk’s office within the specified timeframe, usually within 60 days.
Enter the World of Ministry with the Christian Leaders Institute (CLI):
Welcome to the Christian Leaders Institute (CLI), an esteemed online educational institution that offers free ministry training and ordination programs.
CLI’s mission is to make theological education accessible to individuals from all backgrounds, empowering them to deepen their understanding of Christianity and prepare for diverse ministry roles. Through CLI, you will gain invaluable knowledge in biblical studies, theology, church history, leadership, and pastoral care.
Discover the Christian Leaders Alliance (CLA):
The Christian Leaders Alliance partners with the Christian Leaders Institute to support your ordination journey. With its establishment in 2014, the Christian Leaders Alliance has ordained countless ministers. By joining CLA, you will receive formal recognition and authorization as an ordained minister, granting you the legal ability to perform weddings and other religious ceremonies in Arkansas.
To Get ordained in Arkansas – Follow these steps:
- Create a free study account with the Christian Leaders Institute and get familiar with the Study.christianleaders.org platform.
- Enroll in the Christian Wedding Officiant Skills course and commence your training.
- 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.
Embrace a Spectrum of Ministerial Roles with the Christian Leaders Alliance as you get ordained in Arkansas through the Christian Leaders Alliance
Beyond the realm of wedding officiation, the Christian Leaders Institute (CLI) and Christian Leaders Alliance (CLA) in Arkansas support a wide range of ministerial roles, catering to individuals with diverse commitments, availability, and areas of interest. Let’s explore some of the primary ministerial roles available, inspired by the Word of God:
Wedding Officiant: “So they are no longer two, but one flesh. Therefore, what God has joined together, let no one separate.” – Matthew 19:6. This introductory role equips you with the skills to confidently guide couples throughout their journey, from the first meeting to their magical wedding day. It serves as the foundation for all other roles and requires approximately 10 hours of study and one recommendation.
Field Minister: “And he said to them, ‘Go into all the world and proclaim the gospel to the whole creation.'” – Mark 16:15. If you have limited study time but an ardent desire to engage in church work, this program is tailored to you. It offers free courses and mini-courses for lay ministers, church elders, and deacons, empowering you to serve your local congregation and community.
Licensed Minister: “And he gave the apostles, the prophets, the evangelists, the shepherds and teachers, to equip the saints for the work of ministry, for building up the body of Christ.” – Ephesians 4:11-12. This program is perfect for part-time ministers seeking further training. Through 13 study credits and six mini-courses, you’ll enhance your ministerial skills and enrich your service, equipping you to build up the body of Christ.
Licensed Coaching Minister: “Therefore, encourage one another and build one another up, just as you are doing.” – 1 Thessalonians 5:11. This program provides two free coaching courses for those fascinated by coaching methods and their integration into ministry. Additionally, you’ll embark on a journey of 15 credits and six mini-courses, further empowering your ministerial outreach to encourage and build up others.
Licensed Ministry Chaplain: “Blessed are the peacemakers, for they shall be called sons of God.” – Matthew 5:9. If you aspire to volunteer as a chaplain in local institutions like fire departments or veteran groups, this program is designed for you. Complete 18 credits and six mini-courses, and step into your valuable role as a ministry chaplain, bringing peace and comfort to those in need.
Ordained Minister: “But you are a chosen people, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, God’s special possession, that you may declare the praises of him who called you out of darkness into his wonderful light.” – 1 Peter 2:9. Geared towards individuals already involved in ministry work or those seeking comprehensive training and credentials, this program combines 21 credits and seven mini-courses. It provides the ultimate foundation for your ministry journey, equipping you to shepherd and teach God’s people.
Conclusion: Welcome to a transformative journey of ministry in Arkansas! If you feel called to serve and aspire to become an ordained minister, the Christian Leaders Institute and Alliance programs offer a comprehensive pathway to help you fulfill your goals. Enrolling in CLI and completing their courses will equip you with theological knowledge and essential training to serve confidently. You’ll gain the legal authority to officiate weddings and explore diverse ministerial roles within the Christian Leaders Alliance through ordination with CLA. Embrace this transformative journey, impact your faith community meaningfully, and joyfully answer your divine calling to serve others.
Get Ordained in Arkansas- A Testimony
Hello, my name is Laguana Zinkula, and I am a proud resident of Arkansas, USA. I have spent the majority of my life here, and I’m currently a 53-year-old grandmother. These days are truly the best of my life. I didn’t come from a 
wealthy or even middle-class family; in fact, most would consider us to have lived in poverty. However, I never realized our financial circumstances until some kids at school pointed it out. But unlike my older sisters, being poor and being made fun of didn’t bother me. You might say I didn’t care about others’ opinions of me then, and that remains true to this day. It has been both a blessing and a curse.
My paternal grandmother was one of the most godly and influential Christian women in our community. Her close relationship with God was known throughout every church in the area. As a result, I grew up with a strong awareness of who God was and what He expected of me from a very young age.
Evelyn, my Sunday School teacher, became my mentor during my parents’ divorce and throughout my teenage years. She had a unique way of explaining God’s wisdom to children, making us want to be His best friend and hers. Her arms and heart were always open to us. All I wanted in life was to grow up to be just like Evelyn. As a teenager, I assisted Evelyn in teaching younger children and lovingly guiding them towards Christ. This act of love filled my heart with joy and provided purpose, diverting my attention from my own problems at home.
At the age of 17, I wholeheartedly dedicated my life to Christ and desired nothing more than to continue serving in Children’s Ministry. However, the allure of teenage fun drew me back into the world. It took years, filled with sins, the birth of two children, and a strained marriage, before I began to feel a longing to return to God. I joined a church and started attending services with my children. Despite having to do it alone because my husband had no interest in God, I raised my children to know and love the same God I had known.
For eight years, I served in Children’s Church meetings. Although I was the one actively involved in organizing 99% of the youth activities, my pastor gave the title of Youth Leader to another member of our small church. Later, that member confessed that she had no interest in pastoring the youth and believed that the position should have been mine. I smiled, hugged her, and replied, “I don’t care who holds the title, as long as the children receive what they need.” Privately, she delegated full authority to me, allowing me to oversee the office without requiring me to report to her unless issues arose. While I received no recognition for the hundreds of children attending our services, I was content. I had the opportunity to complain, leave the church, and never return, but my love for those children and what I did with them mattered more to me than any title, payment, encouragement, or recognition.
One day, I shared with the pastor how I felt God was calling me to start a church specifically for children. I told him about the land I believed God wanted me to purchase and how God directed me to fund it by building a café/skating rink adjacent to it. I sought his mentorship, and he initially seemed supportive of my vision. However, as he witnessed the children’s love for me and noticed that the children’s services were growing faster than the adult services, jealousy took hold of him. Slowly, he pushed my family and me out of the church, leading to a breakdown of the Spirit of God within the congregation. Eventually, the pastor himself was dismissed. To this day, that church building has struggled to find a dedicated, long-lasting pastor. Despite having the capacity to accommodate hundreds, it has never had more than 20 members. Sadly, he later purchased the exact land I had told him about and built a café on it, precisely where God had shown me I would build one to support my ministry. However, his café and new church have never flourished.
It saddens me to realize the missed opportunities for all of us and how God wanted to use each of us. I still vividly remember the spiritual dreams God placed in my heart and where He wanted to take me and the children of that community. However, it never came to fruition. I hold no ill feelings toward the pastor; in fact, I pray for him often. But I know, now as I did then, that God still has something He wants to accomplish through me.
Many years have passed, along with numerous trials and tests. Now, I feel God calling me back to that small town and the very building where He first began His work in me. I haven’t spoken to the current members of the church because I believe God is still preparing me. CLI is an integral part of that preparation. I trust that God will open the doors, and I need only walk through them. At age 53, I see everything so differently than I did at 33. I realize that there were likely areas in me that needed correction, as God always has a plan.
Here at CLI, I am preparing for the role of Ordained Commissioned Youth Minister. I understand it will be a long and challenging journey, but I am ready and willing to embrace it. Without the free online classes offered by CLI, it wouldn’t be possible for me. Through the generosity of others’ donations, I can fulfill God’s plan for me and the children of that community. I recognize that generations have passed since God first started His work in me there, but the children I loved and led to God back then now have children of their own.
Frequently Asked Questions
How is the Christian Leaders Institute funded? Christian Leaders Institute is funded through a “Give It Forward” Approach. Click here to read more.
Can I register my church or religious society under the banner of Christian Leaders Alliance? Yes. Locally registered Soul Centers are being register all over the world. Click here to read more.
Can I receive a College degree after I enroll at Christian Leaders Institute?
At Christian Leaders Institute, our college degrees are offered through our Leadership Excellence School. We provide access to both Associate Degrees and Bachelor Degrees. To begin our degree program, you must first enroll as a student in our School of Christian Development. Every student starts by creating a study account at the Christian Development school. Once you complete the “Getting Started” class, you can proceed to enroll in our Leadership Excellence School, where our degree programs are hosted.. Click here to set up you account.
This degree is ideal for those who desire to pursue their Master’s Degree with one of our partner Seminaries like North Point Bible College and Seminary, Kairos University, Calvin, Western, Northern, and more.
Christian Leaders Institute is your access or gateway many professional ministry opportunity.
Minister Ordination Program – More Information
Become a Minister through the training of Christian Leaders Institute – Click here.
Get Ordained Online – Check out the issues related to online ordination and the complete ordination program at Christian Leaders. Click here.
Ordination Path for Coaching Ministers – See how the Christian Leaders Institute and Alliance partner together for coaching ministers.
Chaplain Ordination – Are you interested in ministry chaplaincy? Click here
Free Bible School Courses – Are you interested in free bible School Courses? Click here.
Become a Christian Minister– Are you interested in becoming a Clergy member?
Find out more about Women in Ministry. Click here