How to Get A Pastor Degree?

Summary: If you are someone who is looking forward to becoming a pastor, there are certain things that you need to know about getting a pastor's degree. This is a listing of all the points that you should be following to become a pastor.

A pastor's duty includes writing and delivering sermons, leading church services, and presiding over weddings, funerals, and baptisms. Organizing regular services, and leading congregations are the basic duties of a pastor. They also do counseling work and visit sick people in hospitals. Many theology institutions offer pastoral studies online.

Career requirements to become a pastor

The first thing to do before applying for an online pastoral degree is to know about your denomination's requirements since the requirements are different for every denomination. However, there are some common grounds that most of the denominations require. For example, there are some subjects that all pastors should be well-versed with, and the specific educational paths that most of the denominations follow. The ideal way of deciding this path is to enquire with your local pastor or a regional body, about which process or qualifications your denomination follows. Moreover, many denominations have seminaries that train students for conducting worship services and educate them about that particular denomination's history and theology.

How do you become a pastor?

• Obtain a bachelor's degree 

While some denominations are free about the field you choose for a bachelor's degree, others are very specific about it. They require you to have a bachelor's degree with a major in theology, Bible or pastoral studies, and ministerial studies. The programs may also include Old and New Testament, sociology, and ethics. When you are pursuing this 4-year course, make sure that you are active in campus ministry, leading Bible study groups, and helping the community. This can be very beneficial for your spiritual growth and your graduate program.

• Gain experience

Now, experience is a very important aspect of becoming a pastor in most of the denominations. You can work as an associate pastor, under the supervision of a senior pastor of the church. The role of an associate pastor includes leading spiritual groups and counseling. Along with this they may also conduct readings during services, run education programs, and sometimes may even be required to perform sermons.

• Earn a master's degree

A master of arts in pastoral studies is the program that aspiring pastors should enroll in. Many of the schools of Divinity provide an online pastoral degree as well as on-campus programs. You can also go for a Master of Divinity program.

• Look for a senior pastor opportunity

Most of the denominational governing organizations post their job openings for pastors on job websites. While many of them rely on their network of contacts within their church community. This is why you should create contact with your church community. 

The master of arts in pastoral studies 

This degree trains students with theological and ministerial formation. The students acquire a basic knowledge of theological disciplines and an ability to interpret and appropriate the social teachings of the Church. It also focuses on the doctrines of the church and develops skills in public interaction.

To conclude

If you cannot get into an institution of your liking because of it being in a different state or country, you can always pursue pastoral studies online. Pastors promote spirituality in themselves as well as within the community. The serious nature of some situations in the profession makes it a little stressful, but you can always win it all with strong faith.

Resource box: St. Bernard's School of Theology and Ministry is an institution that offers many online and offline courses in theology and ministerial studies. They also offer a master of arts in pastoral studies.