IV
Credential Tier
3–6 wks
Application Review
3,000+
Worldwide
50
U.S. States Recognized
What Is an Ordained Minister
Vocational ordination, not an online wedding certificate.
AEGA ordination is vocational evangelical ordination: a Board of Examiners review, a doctrinal interview, a documented call to the ministry, and ordination by a Spirit-filled fellowship of ministers that has been credentialing ministers, endorsing chaplains, and chartering churches since 1976. It is the credential a hospital chaplaincy office, a federal endorsing-agent file, a foreign-service visa officer, or a denominational partner expects to see.
An Ordained Minister, in the AEGA tradition, is a minister fully certified and authorized to preach, perform holy matrimony, baptize, exhort, confirm, and practice all biblical and religious activities pertaining to the office of Ordained Minister of the Gospel, in accordance with the local ordinances of your place of residence. Ordination is granted to individuals recognized as part-time or full-time ministers with established ministry experience.
Who the Ordained Minister Credential Is For
Six ministers we credential at the Ordained tier.
Ordained Minister is AEGA's highest credentialing tier. It is required for chaplaincy endorsement and to charter an AEGA 501(c)(3) church. AEGA is not a denomination. Most ministers who pursue ordination fall into one of these six profiles.
Senior and lead pastors.
Pastors carrying full responsibility for congregational leadership and pastoral oversight.
Established church staff.
Associate pastors, executive pastors, and ministry directors with several years of ministry experience.
Church planters at launch.
Ministers launching a new church plant or assuming senior pastoral leadership of an existing congregation.
Chaplains pursuing endorsement.
Hospital, military, federal prison, law enforcement or any other type chaplain needing the ordination prerequisite for endorsement.
Transferring ordained ministers.
Ministers moving from another fellowship or denomination into AEGA who already carry ordination credentials.
Bishop-track ministers.
Ministers building toward bishop, presbytery, or regional leadership roles within AEGA.
Requirements for the Ordained Minister Credential
Seven requirements for ordination.
1. Divine Calling
Possess a clear and evident call of God for Christian service.
2. Age
Be at least 22 years of age.
3. Character
Maintain a consistent, exemplary Christian life.
4. Spiritual Experience
Have experienced baptism in the Holy Spirit (Acts 2:4) with the evidence of speaking in tongues (1 Cor. 12:4-10, 28).
5. Assessment
May be required to complete the Bible Knowledge Questionnaire — this may be waived if adequate ministerial background or education is provided.
6. Financial Stewardship
Commit to AEGA Bylaws stewardship: 1/2 of personal income monthly tithe, $45 monthly minimum.
7. Reporting & Accountability
Complete and submit an annual ministerial report and renewal form.
What an Ordained Minister Can Do
Full ministerial authority.
Preach, teach, and pastor as the senior minister of an autonomous local church.
Officiate weddings in all 50 U.S. states and most foreign jurisdictions.
Officiate funerals, baptisms, and Communion. Administer all the ordinances of the church.
Apply for chaplaincy endorsement through AEGA: military, VA, hospital, federal prison, law enforcement, Civil Air Patrol.
What separates ordination from the lower tiers: the credential is AEGA's highest tier rather than annual; chaplaincy endorsement requires it; the minister may now endorse other credential applicants; and the credential is the standard for AEGA-chartered church planting and the international ministry pathways.
Endorse other ministers applying for AEGA Ministerial Apprentice, Christian Worker, or Licensed Minister credentials.
Charter an AEGA 501(c)(3) church under our IRS group exemption. The credential standard for the charter applicant.
Receive ministerial housing allowance when a church-employer designates it under IRS §107 (consult a CPA).
Represent the church in court, hospital, prison, military, immigration, and consular settings as the ordained minister of record.
How Ordained Minister Differs from Other Tiers
One ladder, four tiers. Ordained Minister is tier four.
AEGA credentials ministers through a four-tier ladder. Each tier matches a stage of ministerial calling, covering, and authority. Still deciding between Licensed and Ordained? Read ordained vs licensed minister →
Christian Worker
Vocational-tier. Staff ministry roles.
Ministerial Apprentice (Exhorter).
Entry-level ministry role under pastoral oversight, actively pursuing credentialing for formal Licensing and Ordination.
Licensed Minister
A credentialed minister vested with full ecclesiastical authority, actively serving on the standard track toward formal ordination.
Ordained Minister (you are here).
Highest credential AEGA issues. the highest credentialing tier AEGA issues. Required for chaplaincy endorsement and AEGA endorsing-minister roles.
How to Become an Ordained Minister with AEGA
Six to twelve weeks. One credential. AEGA's highest credentialing tier.
01
Confirm ordination fits
If you only need to officiate one wedding, an online wedding ordination is faster. If you are entering vocational ministry, planting a church, or pursuing chaplaincy endorsement, ordination is the credential that holds up.
02
Submit the application
Personal info, written doctrinal statement, ministry essay, documented call to the ministry, sermon sample, five to seven references, senior-pastor or sending-church endorsement, and ministry history.
03
Reviewer interview
A live interview with an AEGA Ordained Minister on the Board of Examiners. Doctrine, ministry context, and pastoral fruit. Standard for the ordination credential.
04
Ordination the highest credentialing tier AEGA issues
Printed Ordained Minister credential, wallet card, and state-recognition documentation. The credential does not expire. Annual fellowship membership keeps the minister in active standing with AEGA.
Frequently Asked
Ordained Minister credential, answered.
What is an ordained minister?
An ordained minister, in the AEGA tradition, is a minister formally examined for doctrinal soundness and set apart for the full or part-time ministerial office. Ordained ministers preach, administer the ordinances, pastor autonomous churches, evangelize, missionaries or serve as endorsed chaplains. They represent the church in courts, hospitals, and state agencies. AEGA ordination is vocational evangelical ordination, not a same-day online wedding-officiant certificate. “At AEGA, we believe that ordination is far more than a piece of paper—it is a sacred recognition of a divine calling. We are a true credentialing fellowship, not an online 'ordination mill.' Because true ministry requires biblical accountability and spiritual responsibility, our process includes thorough qualifications and a formal board examination. Above all, we recognize that true ministry begins with a calling from on high, and our deepest desire is to affirm and protect the unique mandate God has placed on your life.” — AEGA Leadership
Is there a credentialing cost with the AEGA?
There is NO application or renewal fee for Ordained ministers. Monthly giving is required according to AEGA Bylaws of 1/2 of the minister's personal tithe. The fellowship is supported by its members. AEGA Fellowship does not receive operational funds from any outside sources. The financial stewardship of our members is designed to provide a solid, dependable base of support that ensures the AEGA remains a vibrant, financially solvent fellowship. Click here for AEGA Stance on Financial Stewardship to the Fellowship (PDF)
Is AEGA ordination the same as most online ordinations?
No. Many online ordinations are designed for one-time ceremonies: minutes to register, no doctrinal review, certificate issued same-day used for weddings etc. AEGA is a true fellowship ordaining body and our ordination is a formal credentialing process for vocational ministers, involving a doctrinal interview and a three to six week committee review, and the ordained credential is AEGA's highest tier. Most online ordinations do not unlock chaplaincy endorsement, church planting, or international ministry partnerships; AEGA ordination does.
Do I have to be ordained to be a chaplain?
Yes, for a "Commissioned Chaplain." For nearly every U.S. chaplaincy endorsement (military, VA, hospital, federal prison, law enforcement, Civil Air Patrol etc.), the endorsing-agent paperwork requires the chaplain to be an ordained minister of a recognized ecclesiastical body. AEGA ordination is the credential the federal endorsing-agent files expect to see, and AEGA serves as the endorsing agent for AEGA-ordained chaplains. Exception for Military Chaplains: The Chaplain Candidate Program is explicitly designed for seminary/graduate students who are in training and have not yet met the requirements for full ordination — they can hold a lower tier of credential.
Does AEGA accept ordination transfers from other denominations?
AEGA does not automatically transfer credentials from other denominations; however, we gladly welcome ministers of like faith into our fellowship. If you are currently ordained with another Spirit-filled fellowship, you will still complete our credentialing process so you can be officially issued an AEGA credential. We highly value your ministerial background, and because of your experience, the standard questionnaire may be waived. This often makes the review process faster than a first-time applicant.
How long does the AEGA Ordained Minister credential last?
The Ordained Minister credential is the highest tier issued by AEGA. The credential's active validity relies on your annual fellowship renewal. This free annual report keeps you in good standing for official credential verification, chaplaincy endorsement, and fellowship benefits. Your credentials remain secure unless you fail to complete your annual renewal, fall short of the credential requirements, choose to withdraw, or face disciplinary dismissal under the AEGA bylaws for conduct unbecoming a minister.
Get ordained for the ministry, not the moment.
Evangelical ordination from a Spirit-filled fellowship credentialing ministers since 1976. the highest credentialing tier AEGA issues. Recognized where it matters.