Get Ordained in Pennsylvania: Expanding Ministry Opportunities

Are you interested in expanding your ministry in Pennsylvania? Whether you want to become a wedding officiant or explore other ministerial roles, the Christian Leaders Institute (CLI) and Christian Leaders Alliance (CLA) can help you get ordained and develop your ministry skills. Let’s explore the possibilities available to you:

1. Wedding Officiant: Becoming a wedding officiant is a popular choice. By getting ordained through the Christian Leaders Alliance, you can legally solemnize marriages in Pennsylvania and guide couples through this important milestone.
2. Field Minister: If you have limited study time but a strong desire to serve in ministry, the Field Minister role is perfect for you. This program offers introductory courses that provide a solid foundation for lay ministers, church elders, and deacons. The Christian Leaders Institute provides free courses and mini-courses to deepen your understanding of ministry and serve your local community.
3. Licensed Minister: For individuals seeking a more in-depth training experience, the Licensed Minister role is an excellent choice. This program offers a comprehensive curriculum, including thirteen credits of study and six mini-courses. By completing this program, you will enhance your ministry skills and be better equipped to serve in various roles.
4. Licensed Coaching Minister: If you have an interest in incorporating coaching techniques into your ministry, the Coaching Minister role is tailored to your aspirations. This program includes two free coaching courses, enabling you to provide guidance and support using a coaching approach. With 15 credits and six mini-courses, you will gain the necessary knowledge and skills to minister effectively through coaching.
5. Licensed Ministry Chaplain: Volunteer chaplains serving in local ministry settings, such as hospitals or correctional facilities, can benefit from the Licensed Ministry Chaplain role. This program requires 18 credits and six mini-courses, equipping you with the tools to provide spiritual care in specific contexts. Getting ordained as a chaplain allows you to make a meaningful impact on the lives of those in need.
6. Ordained Minister: The Ordained Minister role is highly sought after by individuals already involved in ministry or those seeking comprehensive training and credentials. This program comprises 21 credits and seven mini-courses, offering a comprehensive education to enhance your abilities as a minister. Whether leading a congregation or serving in various capacities, ordination as a minister opens diverse opportunities to make a difference.

This program offers a multitude of ministry opportunities, and getting ordained in Pennsylvania through the Christian Leaders Alliance can help you fulfill your calling. Whether you aspire to become a wedding officiant, a Field Minister, a Licensed Minister, a Coaching Minister, a Licensed Ministry Chaplain, or an Ordained Minister, there’s a pathway available for you. Expand your knowledge, develop your skills, and unlock your ministry potential to serve and make a positive impact in Pennsylvania. Start your journey today with Christian Leaders Alliance and Christian Leaders Institute.

Wedding Officiant Laws in Pennsylvania

If you’re considering becoming a wedding officiant in Pennsylvania, it’s important to understand the laws and requirements that govern this role. Here are some key points to keep in mind:

1. Legal Authority: In Pennsylvania, wedding ceremonies can be solemnized by religious officials who are recognized and in good standing with their respective religious organizations. This includes ordained ministers who have undergone the necessary ordination process and are affiliated with a recognized religious organization. Christian Leaders Alliance is a recognized religious organization.
2. Self-Uniting Marriage Officiants: Pennsylvania also recognizes a non-religious or secular officiant known as a “Self-Uniting Marriage Officiant.” This type of officiant can legally solemnize marriages without the need for a religious affiliation. Self-Uniting Marriage Officiants are allowed under the Quaker tradition but can be utilized by anyone who prefers a non-religious ceremony.
3. Online-Only-Ordained Ministers: While online ordination has gained popularity in recent years, it’s important to note that the recognition of online-ordained ministers in Pennsylvania can be subject to certain limitations and restrictions. It’s advisable to check with the local marriage licensing authority or county clerk’s office regarding the acceptance of online-only-ordained ministers in your specific jurisdiction.
4. Marriage License Requirements: Before a wedding ceremony can take place, the couple must obtain a valid marriage license from the county clerk’s office in the county where the marriage will occur. The officiant is responsible for ensuring that the couple meets all the legal requirements for obtaining the marriage license.
5. Ceremony Guidelines: When performing a wedding ceremony, it’s essential to adhere to the guidelines set forth by Pennsylvania law. This includes ensuring that the couple, witnesses (if required), and the officiant sign the marriage license and that it is filed with the appropriate county office within a specified timeframe after the ceremony.
6. Legal Obligations: As a wedding officiant, you have a legal obligation to perform your duties in accordance with the law. It’s important to familiarize yourself with the specific legal requirements and obligations associated with solemnizing marriages in Pennsylvania to ensure that the marriages you officiate are legally valid.

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.

Elizabeth Lukens-leonard shares her testimony as a Wedding Officiant in Pennsylvania

I was raised in a Christian home and have attended church my whole life. I am married and recently celebrated our 29th wedding anniversary. We have two grown sons. Five years ago, we gained a bonus daughter when a young lady from my church life group came to live with us to escape a poor home environment. With God’s help, we were able to assist her mom and siblings in fleeing domestic violence and starting a new life of healing.

Throughout my life, I have always worked in service-related fields. Currently, I serve as the Director of Finance and Human Resources for a medium-sized ambulance company.

In my local church in Halifax, Pennsylvania, I have served as a Sunday School Teacher, Lay Reader, Health Aide, and, for the past 8 years, as a Girls Youth Life Group Leader and Mentor. I have a deep belief in serving and teaching. I feel that God has given me a desire to provide counseling to youth and young adults, and this calling is leading me to become a better Christian.

Becoming a Licensed Christian Wedding Officiant will help me in my ministry by opening doors to counseling. As a Wedding Officiant, I have the ability to help couples come to know God, discover Jesus as their savior, or deepen their relationship with God. I also aim to help them start their marriage with a solid foundation by understanding how their individual biases and baggage from past relationships and modeled marital relationships influence them. Moreover, I can teach them how to engage in healthy conflict resolution with respect, honor, and love.

The programs offered through Christian Leaders Institute are well designed and guide you through the course requirements in a logical manner. Each course takes you into a deeper understanding of God, His Word, and His Love.

I am thrilled to pursue the path that God has set before me and to continue growing in Him

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 divinity degree after I enroll at Christian Leaders Institute? 

Divinity Degrees are our most theological and academic degrees, requiring intellectually rigorous study. You have access to Associate of Divinity Degree and a Bachelor of Divinity Degree. 

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.