how to become a pastor

You might think a pastor is the man who delivers a sermon at your weekly mass. In reality, pastors do much more than that. A pastor is expected to provide more than spiritual leadership.

Here are some of a pastor's additional duties:

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
Collaborate with the choir to integrate music into church services
Complete administrative duties
Attend social functions at the church
Assist in church financial matters
Oversee management of all areas of the congregation's ministry
Support, oversee and evaluate congregation staff
Hold regular staff meetings to coordinate ministries
Ensure church facilities are functioning
Give full support biblically to the Undesignated Budget of the church
Adhere to the Church Bylaws, and Policies and Procedures adopted by the church.
Maintain a vital and wholesome personal relationship with the Lord through daily Bible study and prayer

Pastor or Preacher: What's The Difference?

One might assume a pastor and preacher have the same duties. So, you might be wondering how to become a preacher in the same breath as how to become a pastor. However, the two aren't the same. If you're wondering how to become a preacher, you'll learn that it's actually much easier than becoming a pastor. In becoming a preacher, your main responsibility is to spread the word of God, through teachings, sermons, and conversation.

Preachers don't have the requirement of overseeing the financial, administrative, or operational affairs of a congregation, while pastors do. Preachers aren't required to counsel their congregation in matters of mental distress, grief, marriage, etc. Although they can if they wish, it's not required. Pastors, on the other hand, are expected to perform consular duties.

Specific educational requirements for becoming a pastor vary amongst denominations and churches. Many require both a bachelor's and master's degree, though some churches are satisfied with just a bachelor's degree.

Either way, a pastor schooling begins with a 4-year bachelor's degree. Your bachelor's degree should specialize in either:

Theology
Religious studies
Liberal Arts
Divinity

While you study, you should also be active in campus ministry. Colleges and universities may feature a campus ministry where students can worship and express their faith. Leading Bible study groups or volunteering within the community may be beneficial both spiritually and for admission into graduate programs. Pastor education requirements emphasize education, training, and skills necessary for the profession.

Step 2 Earn a Bachelor's Degree

Popular undergraduate majors for students who wish to pursue a career in religious leadership include Bible or pastoral studies, theology, and ministry. Some programs offer bachelor's degrees in specific ministerial areas, such as pastoral studies. Courses in the program cover topics in the Old and New Testament, theology, ethics, pastoral studies, and sociology.

Aspiring pastors may follow a degree plan for a Master of Divinity (M.Div.). The M.Div is an academic, professional degree that combines the study of a number of disciplines important for a pastor to learn. The M.Div. degree program typically lasts 2 to 3 years, depending on the number of courses taken each semester. Courses are strictly focused on religious practices, Bible study, and congregational leadership.

Conclusion

Becoming a pastor, and subsequently working as a pastor, are not easy tasks! Luckily, there are many schools that offer theology and divinity programs for you to choose from, as well as many campus ministries to gain volunteer experience.

Check out this scholarship if you're interested in becoming a pastor.