Not an Ordination, But a Sacred Commission for Peace

In a world increasingly marked by division, misunderstanding, and conflict, the need for peacebuilders has never been greater. The Interfaith Order of Peace Weavers is pleased to announce the upcoming Certificate in Interfaith Peace Ministry (CIPM), a formation program designed for dedicated members who seek to serve their communities through peacebuilding, interfaith dialogue, reconciliation, and compassionate leadership.

This program leads to the ecclesiastical credential of Commissioned Interfaith Peace Minister (CIPM) and is founded upon the motto:

“Learn Peace. Live Peace. Teach Peace. Weave Peace.”

An Important Clarification

Before anything else, it is important to understand what this program is and what it is not.

The Certificate in Interfaith Peace Ministry is a Commissioning Course, not an Ordination Program.

The Interfaith Order of Peace Weavers includes members from many different spiritual, religious, and cultural traditions. Some are ordained clergy within their own churches, temples, traditions, covens, sanghas, mosques, or spiritual communities. Others serve as lay leaders, educators, healers, advocates, and community workers.

As an interfaith organization, we deeply respect the sacred ordinations, ministerial credentials, and religious authorities granted by each member’s own faith tradition.

For this reason, the Order does not seek to replace, supersede, or duplicate the ordination systems of any religion. Instead, the Order offers a specialized commissioning for those who wish to engage in the ministry of peacebuilding across faith, cultural, and community boundaries.

What is a Commissioned Interfaith Peace Minister?

A Commissioned Interfaith Peace Minister is a trained and authorized member of the Interfaith Order of Peace Weavers who has completed a formation program in peace ministry and demonstrated competency in the principles and practices of peacebuilding, dialogue, reconciliation, and community service.

Upon successful completion of the program, graduates may receive the post-nominal designation:

Commissioned Interfaith Peace Minister (CIPM)

The commission recognizes formation and competency in:

• Peacebuilding
• Interfaith engagement
• Community dialogue
• Reconciliation initiatives
• Peace education
• Ethical leadership
• Community development
• Spiritual accompaniment
• Conflict transformation
• Service-oriented ministry

What a Commissioned Minister May Do

A Commissioned Interfaith Peace Minister may be authorized by the Interfaith Order of Peace Weavers to:

• Conduct peace education programs
• Facilitate interfaith dialogue
• Lead peacebuilding initiatives
• Organize community reconciliation projects
• Mentor emerging peacebuilders
• Represent the Order in approved peace-related engagements
• Promote understanding among diverse communities and faith traditions.

In essence, the Commissioned Interfaith Peace Minister serves as a bridge-builder, educator, facilitator, advocate, and servant of peace.

What a Commissioned Minister Is Not

Equally important is understanding what the commission does not provide.

The Commissioned Interfaith Peace Minister credential:

• Does not confer clergy status.
• Does not confer priesthood.
• Does not constitute ordination.
• Does not create ecclesiastical authority over other faith traditions.
• Does not authorize the recipient to function as ordained clergy on behalf of the Interfaith Order of Peace Weavers.
• Does not grant sacramental authority.
• Does not authorize temple, church, shrine, or congregation leadership solely by virtue of the commission.

The commission is limited to the peace ministry functions specifically taught and authorized through the program.

Commissioning and Ordination: Understanding the Difference

Ordained Religious Clergy

Ordination is a formal religious act through which a church, temple, tradition, denomination, or religious body admits a person into its clergy or priesthood. Ordination normally grants the authority to exercise the ministries and sacramental functions of that tradition according to its established laws and customs.

Examples may include priests, ministers, pastors, rabbis, imams, monks, priestesses, elders, or other religious leaders as recognized by their own traditions.

Commissioned Interfaith Peace Minister

Commissioning, on the other hand, is a specific authorization to carry out a defined mission on behalf of an organization. Within the Interfaith Order of Peace Weavers, that mission is peacebuilding, reconciliation, community engagement, and interfaith cooperation.

A Commissioned Interfaith Peace Minister is therefore not ordained clergy of the Order but rather a trained Peace Weaver entrusted with a specific ministry of service.

Why This Program Matters

The need for peace is universal.

Every community benefits from individuals who possess the skills to facilitate respectful conversations, navigate differences, support community healing, and foster cooperation among people of diverse backgrounds.

The Certificate in Interfaith Peace Ministry was created to equip dedicated members of the Interfaith Order of Peace Weavers with these practical competencies while honoring the religious identities and commitments they already hold.

Rather than creating another clergy system, the program creates a network of trained Peace Weavers who can serve in schools, local communities, religious organizations, advocacy groups, cultural institutions, and interfaith initiatives.

A Calling to Become a Peace Weaver

The Interfaith Order of Peace Weavers believes that peace is not merely an ideal. It is a practice, a discipline, and a sacred responsibility.

If you are called to learn peace, live peace, teach peace, and weave peace among people of different cultures, communities, and faith traditions, this program may be the next step in your journey of service.

The path is not toward ordination.

The path is toward commissioning.

Not to become clergy of a particular faith tradition, but to become a recognized servant of peace.

Learn Peace. Live Peace. Teach Peace. Weave Peace.

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Interfaith Order of Peace Weavers
Certificate in Interfaith Peace Ministry
Credential Awarded: Commissioned Interfaith Peace Minister (CIPM)