How to Become a Pastor

The requirements for becoming a pastor vary according to the church and the denomination. In most cases, pastors must complete college, seminary training and in some cases, additional professional rites before they can be ordained.

Decide what kind of pastor you want to be. Established, traditional faiths require a degree in religious studies and theology training. There are newer churches, however, that don’t have stringent requirements for becoming a pastor in their faith. (Catholic priesthood requires attending a seminary college.)

Pray on it. People perform best in vocations they are passionate about and believe in. Becoming a pastor means that you have absolute confidence in your faith. Becoming a pastor is a lengthy and involved process. Seek spiritual guidance before making your decision. Ask yourself the hard questions:

• Why do I want to be a pastor?

• Do I feel a strong passion for this work?

• Do I strongly desire to share God’s word?

• Do I feel love and compassion for all people?

• Do I feel deep in my heart that God is asking me to enter this vocation?

Make an appointment with someone in the department of pastoral training at the headquarters of the church denomination in which you hope to begin a career as a pastor. Discuss all of the requirements of that denomination.

Ask a representative of the denomination you would like to lead about duties and responsibilities. A pastor is expected to provide more than spiritual leadership; writing and giving sermons is but a small part of a pastor’s job. Find out what is involved. You may be expected to perform some or all of the following:

• Oversee church committees, missions and missionaries

• Perform baptisms, weddings and funerals

• Provide marital, grief and psychological counseling

• Plan community outreach activities

• Conduct or arrange for Sunday school classes

• Conduct or arrange for adult religious instruction

• Seek out new members for the congregation

• Be available evenings and weekends as needed

Choose a college. Research colleges that have excellent religious studies programs. Select a concentration in theology that interests you most.
Prepare for ordination. Once you have completed all your formal studies, you will prepare to be ordained, usually by your home congregation. Preparation for your ordination usually involves:

• Studying church doctrine

• Understanding how doctrinal issues relate to the scriptures

• Giving oral responses to an Ordination Council (this can take several hours)

Await the congregational response. If the council recommends you for ordination, the church leaders of your congregation have to vote to ordain you. If you win the vote, you will be ordained during a special service in your church.
Apply for a job as a pastor. Once you have been ordained, you can start looking for a job.

• Look for openings posted by your seminary.

• Ask your instructors for recommendations.

• Contact your ministry headquarters to see if they have a list of job openings.

• Search online

Arrange interviews with church officials who have responded to your application. In some cases, you may be meeting with a church council or a board of directors. You may also be asked to give a sermon to the flock.

Be prepared for scrutiny. Some congregations get very involved when choosing a new pastor; you may even be asked to have an open question and answer time with the congregation in addition to the church council. If you are approved, you will be “called” (hired) to become the pastor.

Negotiate your salary. Be sure to negotiate all the terms of your employment and living accommodations as well.