Licensing & Ordination
Take your next step in ministry. We're here to Equip you!
Answering the Call
Equipping leaders for the future.
Designed specifically for a non pastor or lay leader looking to be ordained or licensed, our District is committed to your leadership development and accreditation.
1. Connect & Apply
Contact Rick Mann and start by submitting an initial inquiry to our leadership team. We will guide you to the fully built forms needed to begin your journey. Rick@CPDistrict.org
First Connections Interview
First Connections Form
2. Interview and Accreditation
Complete your final assessments and interviews with the District leadership to officially become an accredited worker and begin the journey to become an ordained pastor in the CMA.
Submit Application
- Complete Application for Ministry Online
- Pass Bible Knowledge Test
- Submit Relevant Transcripts
- Complete Divorce Appeal if Applicant or Spouse has ever been Divorced & Remarried.
Fulfill Educational Requirements
Accreditation Interview
3. Equip, Train and Preparation
Engage with our district's theological training, mentorship programs, and featured resources to prepare for your calling.
Secure Ministry Position
Receive Ministry License
Begin Ordination Work
- Reading Report Outline
- CPD Requirements pre 1.1.26
- Position Paper Grading Pointers for Mentors
- New Ordination Requirements effective 1-1-2026
- Sermon Evaluation Grading Rubric
- Reading Report Grading Rubric
- Mentor's Monthly Interaction
- Position Paper Grading Rubric
- Mentor Quarterly Report
- Guidelines for Writing Positional Papers
1. Read Tier 1 Books
- Niklaus, R.L., Sawin, J.S., Stoesz, S.J. – All for Jesus
- Simpson, A.B., Grusendorf, S. – The Fourfold Gospel (Modernized)
- Simpson, A.B. – Wholly Sanctified
- Francis, M. – Filled with the Spirit, Then What?
- Bailey, K. – The Children’s Bread
- Tozer, A.W. – The Deeper Life
- Tozer, A.W. – The Pursuit of God
- Chung, S.W., Mathewson, D. – Models of Premillennialism
- Pardington, G. – The Crisis of the Deeper Life
- Manual of the C&MA – Section H, 2023 Edition
2. Academic Study
Complete 30 credits of academic study in Bible, theology, and ministry.
3. Bible Reading
Read through the entire Bible twice in two (2) different translations.
4. Read Tier 2 Books
Read 500 additional pages selected from the following list:
- Rob Douglas – Book on Holy Spirit (100+ pages)
- Rick Mann – Book on Christ-centered spirit-filled healthy strategic leaders (100+ pages)
- Paul L. King – What Does The Alliance Really Believe?: Sorting Out Essentials, Distinctives, and Open Questions in Unified Loving Liberty (268 pages)
- John McMillan – The Authority of the Believer: The Updated Expanded Classic (compiled and edited by Paul L. King) (194 pages)
- Jack Deere – Why I am still surprised by the power of the Spirit (320 pages)
5. Papers, Projects & Seminar
Submit Papers and Projects
Complete the Four-Fold Gospel Project, covering:
- Christ our Savior
- Christ our Sanctifier
- Christ our Healer
- Christ our Coming King
- The Church and Her Mission
Attend the Ordination Seminar
6. Alliance Missional Engagement Project
Complete one (1) of the following options:
- Option A: Go on an Alliance Short-term Mission Trip and write a 4-page reflection paper addressing: i) personal reflection, ii) experience, iii) site evaluation, iv) now what (next step)?
- Option B: Lead an Alliance Short-term Mission Trip for your church and write a 4-page reflection paper addressing: i) personal reflection, ii) outcome, iii) site evaluation.
- Option C: Develop and implement an Alliance Missions Engagement two (2) Year Plan for your local church which includes: i) hosting a missions tour, ii) developing a Missions Committee to work through the Plan, and writing a 4-page reflection paper.
- Option D: Interview 3 Alliance IWs (International Workers) and write a 4-page reflection paper.
7. Alliance Multiplication Project
Complete one (1) of the following options:
- Option A: Take the Prepare to Plant training and fill out the prospectus as part of the training.
- Option B: Take the Learning Community training by Exponential for C&MA pastors and church planters. (Includes three 3-day sessions taken over 1 year).
- Option C: Complete 3 months of part-time practical training (8 hrs/week) with an Alliance church planter and have them fill out an evaluation.
- Option D: Complete 3 months of part-time practical training (8 hrs/week) with a healthy, multiplying church.
- Option E: Interview 3 Alliance pastors (a church planter, a developing church pastor, and a healthy multiplying church pastor). Attend the worship service of all 3 pastors and write a 1-page report on each church experience identifying what was learned.
8. Evangelism and Discipleship Competencies
Submit the Competency Form by fulfilling the following two categories:
Part 1: Discipleship (Complete all tasks below)
- Pray for 10 people and follow up for healing; write a 1-page report.
- Pray for 10 people who want to be filled with the Holy Spirit; write a 1-page report.
- Write a 1-page report demonstrating how you live a spirit-filled life.
- Preach or teach a Fourfold Gospel series; provide the manuscript.
- Pick three (3) of the following four (4) options:
- Lead a Small Group / Sunday School Class for 3 months.
- Mentor 2 people one-on-one to build their faith for 3 months.
- Teach on Spiritual Disciplines; provide the manuscript.
- Prepare a sermon series on what it means to be a disciple of Christ; provide the manuscript.
Part 2: Evangelism (Complete two (2) of the following options)
- Train at least 2 people in an evangelistic tool to use with 5 people to share the gospel; write a 1-page journal.
- Present the gospel to 10 people; write a 1-page journal on how it went.
- Train 3 people to put their salvation testimony together in a clear way.
- Plan outreach for your church including training people to share the gospel; write a 1-page report of the event.
- Start an evangelistic ministry in your church; write a 1-page report.
- Complete the STEPS Course Along the Pathway to the Soul training by Joel Van Hoogen (satisfies the full requirement), Evangelism Explosion, or an approved evangelism training taken in the last 2 years.
9. Multicultural Competency Training
Complete one (1) of the following:
- Simpson U IM-6175 Intercultural/International Ministry (3 Credits)
- Other Comparable Intercultural courses offered by Crown College, Toccoa Falls, Capital ACLD, etc.
- Complete an intercultural Alliance Missions Experience and write a 4 page reflective paper.
10. Miscellaneous Requirements
- Alliance Polity Course
- Level One: Alliance Peacemaking Course
- Attend the annual Resonate Conference
- Monthly Mentor Meetings (for 12 months)
- Attend the Ordination Inservice Retreat
- Oral Examination by Liscensing Team
Lay Ministry Worker License
1. Description: A lay ministry worker license may be issued to persons who are secularly employed or retired, and who are appointed by the district superintendent to give leadership to a church or ministry conducted under the auspices of the district.
2. Requirements: Lay ministry workers must fulfill the General Requirements for licensing found in the Policy and such Academic requirements as determined prudent by the district superintendent and the district Credentialing Council. They must be members of the congregation to which they are assigned ministry.
3. Privileges: Within the polity of the C&MA, persons who are issued a lay ministry worker license are considered to be spiritual leaders having certain rights and privileges including but not limited to the authority to administer the ordinances, conduct worship services, and perform service(s) in the control, conduct, and maintenance of designated entities of the C&MA under the auspices of the district superintendent. They are entitled to be accredited delegates to General Council and District Conference. Men who hold this license are only considered to be elders when they are appointed by the district superintendent to serve as a lead pastor or when elected as an elder by the local church
Ready to Take the Next Step?
Start your accreditation journey today.
Our team is here to support your calling. Click below to access the specific forms needed to begin your process. Once submitted, your inquiry will route directly to our leadership development team based on the forms being submitted.
Complete the Next Steps form to get connected.
- ACTION PLAN—Work with your pastor, district, a college rep, the International Placement Office (IPO), or the Candidate Recruitment and Development (CRD) Office to create an action plan that will help you get on the right path into Alliance Ministry.
- BIBLE/MINISTRY TRAINING—Attend an Alliance (or other Christian) college or university or enroll in the Ministerial Study Program (MSP).
- ACCREDITATION—Enter into the official process that affirms your call and approves you to serve in licensed Alliance ministry.
- CHURCH MINISTRIES—Serve in your local Alliance church, leading worship, outreach, children/youth, or pastoral ministries.
- VOCATIONAL TRAINING—Attend an Alliance (or other) college or university, serve in your local Alliance church, and/or apply for an ENVISION Residency.
- EXPERIENCE—Gain real-life experience, (e.g., nursing, English language training (TESOL), business administration, etc.).
- CLERGY/MISSIONS TRAINING—Attend an Alliance (or other Christian) college or university. Get ministry experience in an ALME (Alliance Licensed Ministry Experience).
- ALLIANCE MISSIONS—Serve in one of the Alliance Missions specialized structures: CAMA, marketplace ministries, aXcess, or ENVISION.