Accreditation and Ordination

We’re here to help you walk through the steps for serving in Alliance ministry.

The Alliance Accreditation, Licensing, and Consecration-Ordination process ensures that men and women giving pastoral leadership are qualified to lead Jesus’ disciple-making mission for the local church.

Accreditation

Accreditation is the process of being officially recognized by The Christian and Missionary Alliance as qualified to serve in Alliance ministry.  Being accredited will allow you to be considered for placement in any Alliance church nationwide or as an international worker. It is a required step for any individual who is looking for pastoral placement within the C&MA.

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*Prerequisite

A person must have the equivalent of 30 credit hours of study in Bible, theology and/or ministry to become an accredited worker in the Alliance. If needed, The Alliance has several non-traditional options to help you complete these hours while in the accreditation process.

Alliance Center for Leadership Development
LEAD
Crown University 30

How do I get started?

To get started with accreditation, complete a Next Steps form that best fits your interest.

Next Steps Form for Serving in Eastern PA
Next Steps Form for Serving Globally

What comes next?

  • Within a few business days, our Alliance National Office will do a preliminary review of your Next Steps form and assign it to the office of the district in which you reside.  If you live outside Eastern PA and want our district to see your application, please email us and we will communicate with the district to which it was assigned. Your application will only be transferred to Eastern PA if you only intend to apply for a pastoral position in our district. If you are open to serving in several districts, you will complete the accreditation process in the district where you live. 

    In 7-10 days, someone from our district team or from the district team where you reside will review your application. Upon approval at the district level, you will receive instructions for how to complete the full Alliance accreditation application.

  • After review and approval of your Next Steps application, the full online Alliance application will be opened to you.  This extensive application includes more detailed information and open-ended questions: (Plan for a minimum of six hours to complete the full application.)

    • Contact and family info

    • Release of records (permission to run a background check, transcript submission)

    • Doctrinal questions

    • Alignment with core characteristics of an Alliance worker

    • Multiple choice Bible knowledge exam

    • Character references

  • If your application is approved, we will set up an interview with members of our District Credentialing Council (approximately two hours).  Following the interview with our district licensing body, you will receive your next steps to continue formal ministry readiness. In some cases, it will involve more development, and in some cases it will result in the invitation to pursue a licensed ministry position. Please note that for various reasons, not everyone is approved for vocational service with the Alliance, but we still desire to help you find your place in God’s work.

A man with glasses holding a microphone and a hand on his chest, praying or speaking, surrounded by several people with bowed heads, in a setting resembling a prayer or worship gathering.

Licensing is only for those in official ministry positions in the Alliance and is only continued as long as a person stays in an official ministry position in the Alliance. There are no additional steps to take to be licensed after accreditation except to begin in an Alliance ministry position. 

Once you begin in an official Alliance ministry position, you will automatically receive an Alliance worker license. If you leave an Alliance ministry position and do not step into another Alliance ministry position, your license will expire at the end of calendar year following your departure from Alliance ministry.

Licensing

Current Openings

Consecration
and Ordination

  • All licensed workers in the Alliance must complete the ordination and consecration process. It is about a three-year journey designed to help you develop as a faithful and fruitful worker with Jesus in our Alliance family.  You will be assigned to a triad of two or three licensed workers with a consecration-ordination coach who will review your work, seek to prepare you for ongoing ministry and guide you through the consecration-ordination process.  You will work on assignments with your triad and sharpen each other under the guidance of your coach. It is a hands-on relational process for learning and becoming more and more fruitful as a disciple-making leader.

    • Build friendships with your triad and coach as you meet six times per year to encourage each other and discuss your progress in the process and challenges you may be facing in your ministry.

    • Study theology and write papers that will increase your understanding of Alliance doctrine and mission and your ability to articulate it.

    • Read books and complete projects that will strengthen your relationship with God and increase your competency in disciple making and ministry leadership.

    • Be challenged to be on mission with Jesus in seeking and saving the lost.

  • Becoming consecrated and ordained is far more than a denominational responsibility. Becoming consecrated and ordained means that you have engaged in rigorous coursework to help you understand and articulate Alliance mission and doctrine, and it means that you have demonstrated character and competency in your ministry setting. The whole process will give you a sense of affirmation in your calling from your local church and from district leadership.