Assignment Title: How to Become a Minister
Course: CHMN 699 - Internship
Student: Kristine Sage
2022
Professor: Dr. Mary Smith
Liberty University
Introduction
Ministers play an important role in their church and religious communities. As leaders of
their congregations, ministers are responsible for fulfilling a range of criteria in order to have
authority in the church. Becoming a minister can be an especially rewarding career choice, and
there are several things to consider before entering the career. In this article, we explore what
a minister's role is in the church, what they do and how to become a minister with several
frequently asked questions to provide additional insight into this career path.
What is a minister?
Ministers work within many Christian denominations and are spiritual leaders who provide
guidance and support to their church communities. Ordained ministers typically complete post-
secondary education, divinity training and licensing in order to take charge of the congregation
of their church. Additionally, many ministers who choose their spiritual life and career paths do
so because they feel a calling to lead and guide others in spiritual growth.
What does a minister do?
Ministers lead church congregations and serve as spiritual counselors, mediators and
mentors for their communities. Common responsibilities of a minister focus on leading church
services, administering religious ordinances and helping members of their fellowship connect
with and grow in the holy spirit. Aside from leading religious and church services, ministers also
take on additional job duties, including:
Reflecting on the content of the Bible to plan and develop sermons that guide church
members during services
Leading worship services, integrating music and engaging fellowships to connect with
the word of God and learn from the Bible
Providing counseling services to church members to support them in overcoming
hardships, crises and other challenging situations
Mentoring, supervising and training clergy members and other aspiring church leaders
Planning fundraising for donations and contributions that help grow the church
Managing the financial and administrative aspects of leading and running a church
How to become a minister
There are several ways that you can become a licensed minister, however, many church
leaders often complete some type of training in theology, divinity studies or another related
subject. That being said, you can use the following steps for additional insight into how to
become a minister:
1. Meet the specific requirements of your church
Many ministers must meet certain requirements that vary depending on the Christian
denomination and church. Some denominations may have stricter requirements for aspiring
pastors and ministers, while many non-denominational groups have less strict requirements.
It's important to discuss your calling to become a minister with your church leaders so you can
receive guidance and specific information that can help you enter your career path.
2. Earn an undergraduate degree
While it's not a necessary requirement for all denominations, a bachelor's degree in
theology, divinity, religious studies or religious education can increase your knowledge and
understanding of different aspects of Christianity and religious teachings. The coursework you
complete for your bachelor's degree can also focus on applying concepts from the Bible and
using spiritual and religious approaches to leadership.
3. Complete training or education for counseling
Many ordained ministers pursue certification or some form of training in emotional and
mental health counseling. It's beneficial to focus on training in counseling while you complete
your undergraduate degree. With the proper training and education in psychology, emotional
and behavioral health and other counseling topics, you can provide professional guidance to
your congregation.
4. Consider a graduate degree
Some church organizations require ministers to hold a graduate-level degree, such as a
master's in theology. Ministers who choose to complete their graduate degrees commonly
focus on subject areas in divinity studies, religious studies, mental health counseling and
religious education. Coursework in these programs typically focuses on leadership concepts,
planning and delivering sermons, theological aesthetics, humanities, religious history, political
theology and conducting worship services.
5. Obtain your counseling license
Ministers must have a professional license to provide mental health counseling services to
their church communities. If you choose to offer counseling services as a minister, you need to
meet your state's requirements for earning your mental health counseling license. The National
Board for Certified Counselors offers several certification types, depending on your counseling
focus. As a minister, you might consider the Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC) credential.
6. Complete your ordination
After graduating with your undergraduate degree, you need to obtain your ordination.
Different denominations have varying requirements for ordaining ministers. However, to hold
religious authority within any church, many aspiring ministers take written or oral exams,
volunteer in their church communities and serve as assistants to full ministers. Some
denominations may also require aspiring ministers to complete a missions trip, where they
travel to impoverished areas to provide support and preach the word of God.
7. Reflect on your calling and relationship with the church
Spend time reflecting on your spiritual path and consider choosing a denomination to
better understand what's necessary to work in a denominational church. Talk with spiritual
leaders, instructors and other church pastors and ministers to gain a deeper understanding of
what you need to do to become a minister for their organizations. Your self-reflection can also
help you connect more with the Bible and your growth in God so you can better serve your
church community.
8. Develop your skills as a minister
Ministers rely on a range of skills that enable them to take on the responsibilities of the
church. As you complete your training, you can develop your skills to strengthen your
capabilities as a minister. Written and verbal communication, active listening and providing
compassionate feedback are all examples of how ministers depend on their communication and
interpersonal skills to build relationships in the church.
Organization and time management are also important traits to develop to succeed as a
church leader. Additionally, your abilities to solve challenges, develop creative ministry lessons
and instruct others in the word of God are equally important skills to build as a minister.
FAQs about becoming a licensed minister
Becoming a minister can be a rewarding career choice, and if you're looking for additional
insight into this career path, the following frequently asked questions can help:
Should ministers choose a denomination?
Ministers frequently decide on a denomination to be a part of. This is because following a
specific Christian denomination can help you understand what's necessary to be a minister in
your church. Many of the ordination requirements change depending on the specific
denomination you're part of, and some denominations may even require additional licensing if
you plan to provide professional counseling services.
Are continuing education credits necessary for licensed ministers?
If ministers hold professional licenses for counseling, they may need to renew their
credentials, depending on the specific certification. For ordinations, it's unnecessary for
ministers to complete any additional or continuing education, since ordination is a lifetime
status.
Are there government requirements for ordination?
Since becoming an ordained minister follows a church-based and religious career path, the
federal and state governments don't have oversight over the requirements that ministers need
to meet for ordination. However, government regulations can apply to various administrative
aspects of church business, including finances, tax reporting and business licensing.
