How to Become a Minister in Texas
Becoming a minister and devoting yourself to a career in service of the church is a big undertaking. It requires emotional, academic and spiritual commitment to a cause you believe to be bigger than yourself. Depending on the route you take, it can be years or days before you become a minister, though the level of success you enjoy can vary depending on your credentials. If you want to become a minister in the state of Texas, you have options that require an intense time commitment and others that are easier.
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Instructions
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Attend a seminary to study ministry. You could, for example, attend Dallas Theological Seminary, where you can earn your Doctor of Ministry on one of several degree tracks.
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Pursue a Master of Divinity as an alternative course--this is a common route for those who wish to become ordained ministers. The program is available at schools such as George W. Truett Theological Seminary in Waco, Texas.
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Apply to be ordained by the American Fellowship Church. This does not require any formal education, though the church offers distance learning programs.
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Seek employment with a church. Smaller churches might be more willing to hire young ministers with less experience, as opposed to larger churches, which prefer more experienced ministers.
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Tips & Warnings
Not all churches require ordainment, particularly if you possess a higher learning degree in ministry or ministry leadership.
Some states, such as Pennsylvania, require that wedding ministers not only be ordained, but also must lead congregations on a regular basis. In Texas, however, any ordained Christian minister or priest can perform a marriage, as can any officer of any religious organization who has that organization's permission to perform marriages.
References
- Photo Credit Wedding image by Mat Hayward from Fotolia.com
