How to Become a Protestant Pastor

Most Protestant pastors receive training at a seminary.

Protestant denominations grew out of the Reformation movement of the 16th Century. Today, Protestant denominations include Lutheran, Baptist, Episcopal, Presbyterian, Methodist, United Church of Christ, Covenant and Pentecostal churches. A Protestant pastor is a Christian leader who is trained according to the requirements of the denomination he serves. A pastor of a congregation may be responsible for preaching, teaching Bible classes and organizing church ministries. According to a 2009 report by the Barna Group, 82 percent of mainline Protestant pastors have a seminary education.

Instructions

1. Inform the headquarters of your denomination that you are interested in becoming a pastor. Obtain application forms and information regarding the denomination’s requirements. You may be interviewed and asked questions about your faith, doctrine, education, experience and reasons for wanting to become a pastor. A pastor is expected to be strong in his faith in Jesus Christ, compassionate and a good communicator.

2. Review the educational requirements for becoming a pastor in your Protestant denomination. Although some Protestant churches hire pastors who do not have an advanced degree, most churches require a seminary education. Your denomination may have its own seminary or it may recognize a degree from another seminary, college or Bible school. Consult with an admission’s counselor from the school you plan to attend and follow the counselor’s instructions for gaining admission.

3. Complete the seminary or training requirements of your denomination. Some seminaries offer residency programs that allow students to gain experience in a church setting. Obtain information about pastor job openings from your school’s career or job placement center and denomination headquarters. Network with other pastors and church leaders to learn of job openings, too.

4. Prepare a resume showing your education and experience and apply for pastor positions. As part of your application or interview, you will be asked discuss your faith in Jesus Christ. When requested, attend job interviews with church leaders. If you are applying for a position in a church that is of a different Protestant denomination than the one in which you were trained, be prepared to discuss doctrinal differences between the denominations and how you plan to treat those differences if hired.

5. Ask questions of church leaders during an interview to find out what responsibilities you will have, if hired. Protestant churches vary in the degree of formality, styles of worship music and use of liturgy, so inquire about these practices in the church you are considering. You might meet other members of the congregation and be asked to give a sermon to demonstrate your abilities. In some churches, the council makes the final hiring decision; in others, the congregation votes on whether to hire an applicant. Approval from regional or national headquarters might also be required. When you are asked to pastor a church that fits with your expectations, accept the offer and begin your service as a Protestant pastor.

References

• Boise State University; History of Western Civilization; The Reformation – Introduction; E.L. Skip Knox
• Barna Group; “Report Examines the State of Mainline Protestant Churches”; December 2009
• “The Baptist Standard”; Seminaries Adapt to Changing Religious Landscape; Bob Allen; August 2011