How Do You Become a Christian Minister?

Academic preperation will assist you in becoming a minister.

Becoming a Christian minister can take years of college preparation along with service in a ministry setting. The traditional path includes a bachelor's degree, followed by a master's degree and can lead up to a doctorate in a religious-studies program. Attending a seminary can also help you accomplish your goal of becoming a minister; however, this will depend greatly on what a particular seminary offers. A less traditional approach could lead you to purchase ordination online with no education or religious requirements in as little as 24 hours. Assess what your personal needs are before deciding on a ministering program.

Things You'll Need

• College transcripts

Instructions

1. Find a school that offers minister training programs. You will need a post-graduate university to obtain a master's degree. Many schools offer programs on a physical campus; however, several universities offer classes online. A background in faith-based studies is not necessarily a requirement, although familiarity with the Bible is generally encouraged.

2. Choose a course of study. Traditional degree programs suggest obtaining a master's degree in Biblical Studies, Pastoral Ministry, Theology or Educational Ministries. Since this is a graduate degree toward ministering you will need a program that instructs in religious studies.

3. Speak with university officials to find out any extra requirements. Some colleges require ministry work in addition to your traditional classes, and others may require additional seminars and workshops. Clarify in advance what your course requirements are and take these into consideration. Ministry work can replace up to 10 credits in some programs and will require you to work with a church.

4. Completing your master's degree is the first part of your journey to ordination. You will need to be called to a church to minister. It is difficult to describe a calling since it is different for each person, but it is the knowing that God desires that you be anointed as a minister to preach and serve.

5. Begin your approval process once you have been joined with a church. You will be preaching as a candidate for ordination during the process of preparation, and you will be evaluated according to standard guidelines developed by your faith community.

6. Become ordained through your congregation following the completion of your approval process. Depending on your church or affiliation you may have an ordination ceremony, or you may receive a document verifying ordination, depending on the beliefs and traditions of your church.

Tips & Warnings

• There are some websites that offer minister ordination online for a small fee. These ordinations are typically only valid for solemnizing marriages, but many states require additional credentials. There is no training needed to purchase this type of ordination, however some may question the religious validity of a purchased ordination.

• Some faith traditions build seminaries; these dedicated facilities confer advanced degrees and are designed specifically for preparing candidates for ordination.

• Churches and state authorities may not recognize ordination purchased online since there is no background in religious or academic studies required to purchase the ordination.

• Women may not be eligible for ordination in some Christian denominations such as Roman Catholicism.

References

• Campbellsville University: Masters of Theology
• Sancta Sophia Seminary: Interfaith Seminary Degrees
• American Baptist Church of the Rocky Mountains: Pathways to Ordination

Resources

• Christian Leadership University: Ministry Concentration