Assignment Title: What does a pastor do?
Course: CHMN 699 - Internship
Student: Kristine Sage
2022
Professor: Dr. Mary Smith
Liberty University
What does a pastor do?
A pastor is an ordained member of the clergy of a Christian religious denomination who is
responsible for leading a congregation. After ordination, a pastor is appointed to lead and
counsel a particular parish, church or community. They provide moral, spiritual, personal and
religious guidance to their parishioners. The specific duties of a pastor vary widely based on
their religious denomination, the needs of the community and the style of the church. Some of
the duties of a pastor may include:
Leading religious worship services
Providing counseling to parish members, including comforting them when they are
distressed, visiting those who are sick or offering advice in important decisions
Performing religious ceremonies, such as baptisms, weddings and funerals
Fundraising for the church or community
Overseeing church finances, including accounting and budgeting
Organizing and directing charitable efforts
Fostering a sense of community
Composing and delivering sermons
Teaching theology classes
Leading prayer groups
Instructing the parish and the public in moral and ethical matters
Responding to crises to comfort the injured or dying
Overseeing ministry efforts of a church or congregation
Average salary
The salary of a pastor can vary widely since there are as many employers as there are
Christian religious denominations. Some might work part time while other pastors work full-
time hours with overtime. Many pastors are also given housing allowances and other forms of
compensation. For the most up-to-date salary information from Indeed, click on the salary link.
Common salary in the U.S.: $44,708 per year
Some salaries range from $14,000 to $90,000 per year.
Pastor requirements
There are many different ways to become a pastor. Job requirements will vary widely
depending on the religious denomination, church and position:
Education
The necessary education for a pastor depends on the denomination’s requirements and the
type of church a pastor wants to work in. Some pastors might start their own churches based
on their personal beliefs, and some organizations ordain pastors immediately online. Other
pastors may secure employment after completing an education program online. Many
denominations require aspiring pastors to complete higher education, such as earning a
bachelor’s degree in theology or religious studies, and some require specialized education
through training programs, such as a seminary, theological college or divinity school.
One common and frequently required education path for pastors is to complete a Master
of Divinity degree. This program typically takes three years and involves the study of Christian
ministry and theology, including Old Testament studies, New Testament studies, Greek, Latin,
Hebrew, philosophy, pastoral theology, ecclesiology, evangelism, liturgical studies and Christian
education. This degree is accredited by the Association of Theological Schools in the United
States and Canada.
Since pastors often provide counseling, it can be beneficial for an aspiring pastor to also
take courses in psychology.
Training
Pastors gain the majority of their training through their educational programs, direct
experience or by shadowing pastors in their denomination. Some churches may offer assistant
or associate pastor positions or other roles to newly ordained clergymen. Some denominations
also create their own training programs, which have various requirements. There are also
online training programs provided by a variety of individuals and organizations.
Pastors can also train for the role by gaining relevant experience through community
service, volunteer work, leading church youth groups or other similar activities that can help
hone ministry skills.
Certifications
Pastors have no legal requirement to earn any certifications or licenses, but various
churches may expect a counseling certification or refer to ordination as a certification:
Ordination
Ordination or becoming ordained is the process of becoming consecrated or officially
authorized as a member of the clergy. Various Christian denominations have differing
requirements for ordination, so you should research your church’s practices. Ordination often
involves a religious ceremony after completing training, though some organizations offer online
ordination.
Pastoral Counseling Certificate
This certification is offered by various colleges, universities and online programs and
provides training in counseling practices in pastoral settings. Programs integrate spirituality and
theology with standard psychotherapy practices. Requirements vary but usually include several
supervised hours in counseling. This certificate can also be called Spiritual Counseling
Certification or Clinical Pastoral Education Training.
Skills
Pastors need a variety of skills to manage a parish effectively, including:
Leadership
A pastor is the leader of a congregation. They must provide direction to their parishioners,
and are also often leaders in their community and direct various outreach efforts.
Public speaking
Pastors usually preach to their congregation during worship services and write their own
sermons. They may also speak publicly at community events, so they need excellent public
speaking skills.
Motivational skills
These leaders often have the responsibility of inspiring church members to take certain
courses of action or of reaching out to communities in missionary efforts. In addition to public
speaking skills, pastors need the ability to motivate, inspire and persuade others.
Active listening and empathy
Congregation members or other people often turn to a pastor for help or to discuss their
problems. To provide effective assistance, pastors need to listen actively and supportively to
encourage confidence.
Managerial skills
In addition to managing church members, pastors often manage the finances, numerous
activities and other staff members of a church. They need the analytical, strategic and
organizational skills to oversee and direct an organization effectively.
Communication and interpersonal skills
Pastors frequently interact with other community leaders and attempt to evangelize the
public in addition to building relationships with the members of their congregation. They need
to communicate well, earn trust and develop relationships with many people.
Fundraising
Pastors are often responsible for procuring funds to support their church, charitable
organizations or community outreach efforts. They need the skills to plan, organize and carry
out fundraising events.
Commitment
The most important quality a pastor needs is devotion to their work. Being a pastor usually
requires a complete commitment to faith and service.
Pastor work environment
A pastor’s work environment is varied. While some pastors may only work on Sundays,
many work frequent, irregular hours. In addition to spending time in a church and speaking
from the pulpit, they may also have office hours, be active in community leadership, travel to
parishioners’ homes, visit the sick or imprisoned, or travel as a missionary to various areas.
How to become a pastor
If you want to become a pastor, try following these steps:
1. Consider your religious beliefs
How you become a pastor will vary greatly depending on your association with a religious
organization or denomination and requires immense commitment, so you must be devoted to
your beliefs or your specific church.
2. Become a member of good standing in your church
To be considered for a pastor position, many candidates need to already be respected
members of their church or religious denomination. Cultivate your standing by regularly
attending services, offering your assistance to church leaders and volunteering to help with or
lead religious activities.
3. Seek out a leader in your church
Pastors or other church leaders can guide you through the ordination process and counsel
and inform you about what steps to take to become a pastor. Some churches have committees
that oversee the candidacy process, which can take several years.
4. Fulfill education and training requirements
These requirements will vary according to your denomination or the church you want to
work for. You may need to pursue higher education, such as earning a Master of Divinity
degree, gain relevant experience, earn a pastoral counseling certificate or complete training
programs. Research job descriptions and typical requirements in your desired area of
employment or speak to your church leaders to determine what education and training you
need.
5. Become ordained
Typically, all pastors need to be officially authorized through ordination to be appointed to
lead a congregation. To complete this step, you will need to speak with the leaders of your
church.
6. Create a resume
List your education, relevant experience and skills. Focus on relevant information, such as
theological knowledge, counseling certifications, community service and volunteering
experience. Write cover letters tailored to the positions you want to apply to by using keywords
from each job description. Some parishes or church councils may also require you to fill out a
lifestyle questionnaire.
