How to Become a Pastor Online – Education to Ordination

Some careers can be professionally as well as spiritually fulfilling. If your faith is integral to your life, you may wish to learn how to become a pastor online. Becoming a pastor is a long-term and intensive process, but it can be well worth it. Read on to discover step-by-step how to become a pastor and the expectations of your position as a church leader.

Article Navigation: What is a Pastor? | Pastor vs. Priest | What Qualifications Do You Need to Be a Pastor? | Ordination of Pastors | How to Become a Pastor Online | How to Become a Female Pastor | Education | Certifications & Licenses | Pastor Career Path | Professional Organizations, Associations, & Resources | FAQs | Start-Online-Today!

What is a Pastor?

A pastor is, at its essence, a church leader. Pastor is derived from the word “pastoral” and is conventionally used to refer to someone who leads a flock of religious individuals. Typically, a pastor leads Christian churches of one denomination or another.

However, there are different types of church pastors and some differences in the terms pastor vs. priest. Regardless, pastors have essential responsibilities within their churches regarding practical duties and the moral examples they set for their followers.

Types of Pastors

Depending on your education, your religious denomination, and your church’s needs, you may be able to train as one of several different types of pastors. Common types of pastors include:

• Youth pastors: Youth pastors are trained religious leaders who shepherd and coach children and young adults specifically. They frequently lead church outreach programs and guide young adults during charity missions, such as building housing or schools in various countries. Youth pastor jobs also include serving as counselors to young adults facing significant crises or difficulties during their formative years.
• Catholic pastors: Catholic pastors are official pastors within the Catholic Church. Because the Catholic Church focuses on liturgy and rituals, becoming a Catholic pastor (usually called a Catholic priest) requires more than becoming a pastor at a Protestant or nondenominational Christian church. Catholic priests hear confessions from their followers and perform essential church duties, like offering the Eucharist.
• Lutheran pastors: Lutheran pastors are the official pastors of the Lutheran Church, which split off from the Catholic Church in the early Renaissance era when Martin Luther wrote his 95 Theses. Because of their denomination’s proximity to the Catholic tradition, Lutheran pastors also focus more on rituals and practices than other Protestant pastors.
• Nondenominational pastors: These religious officials lead Christian churches without an official denomination, like Anglican, Lutheran, etc. Despite lacking a clear faction, nondenominational churches offer their people essential spiritual and community support services. Pastors of these churches may fill various roles and wear many hats, offering counseling services, religious leadership services, and more.

There are other pastors than these, as well. For example, the Anglican and Episcopalian churches employ pastors to lead their congregations. But all pastors share certain similarities (see more below).

Who is a Pastor According to the Bible?

According to the Bible, a pastor is a church leader (and a church is technically a group of people following Christian teachings, not necessarily a building or organization). The exact responsibilities of a pastor can vary by denomination, age, experience level, and the needs of their followers.

A pastor primarily:

• Teaches the philosophical and lifestyle rules of the Bible and the Christian faith
• Offers spiritual and counseling support to their followers
• Organizes community efforts, especially around charity drives or works

For most of the Christian religion’s history, only men could become pastors or priests. However, some nondenominational churches now allow women to be ordained as pastors.

Regardless, all pastors must go through specific educational programs to learn about the Bible and other religious teachings to better serve their followers.

Pastor vs. Priest

Pastors and priests are very similar to each other, but they are not the same things. The term “priest” is not strictly a pastor synonym.

The title of pastor applies specifically to leaders in nondenominational or Protestant churches. Nondenominational churches aren’t a part of any primary Christian denominations, like the Methodist, Catholic, Baptist, and Lutheran churches.

The title of priest, meanwhile, is used for Catholic or Greek Orthodox church ministers. It is an older word and refers to church leaders working within these communities/organizations.

A priest may technically be a pastor or referred to as such, especially in a general context. However, a pastor cannot be a priest. Pastors can take on additional titles such as minister, reverend, etc.

Regardless, both pastors and priests carry out similar duties and responsibilities. They lead church organizations and followers according to the Scriptures of the Bible and their denomination’s practices or teachings.

What Qualifications Do You Need to Be a Pastor?

To become a pastor, you typically need a bachelor’s or higher college education. You may research how to become a pastor online if you feel this option would better fit your scheduling needs. You also need to have plenty of experience working in a church environment; ideally, within the church you hope to lead someday.

Additional ordination requirements may apply depending on your church’s denomination. For example, some churches only allow men to become ordained ministers or pastors. Others may require you to practice as a junior preacher for a certain number of years, and so on.

Ordination is vital because of its legal implications. For example, all 50 states require pastors to be ordained if they are to perform weddings. Furthermore, tax obligations and employment status are different for someone who is an ordained pastor as opposed to a lay preacher (essentially an unofficial pastor).

What Does a Pastor Do?

A pastor may carry out various duties depending on their church’s denomination, experience level, and concentration. Some example duties of a pastor include:

• Teaching the Scriptures or holy texts of their religion
• Acting as a compassionate and spiritual guide for their followers
• Hearing confession, in the case of a Catholic or Greek Orthodox priest
• Carrying out and leading religious rituals, such as the taking of the Eucharist
• Leading church educational sessions, such as Sunday school

Many pastors also carry out duties for their local communities. For example, some pastors may lead charity drives or efforts. Others may work for local schools to supervise children. Pastors must wear many hats and be comfortable doing many things. However, all of their professional efforts are related to the service of their church or helping their church followers.

Ordination of Pastors

To become legally and spiritually recognized as full pastors, pastors in training must become ordained. Being ordained means that you are officially recognized as a pastor and granted all duties and responsibilities of the position.

To become ordained, you must usually pass ordination examinations. Churches, rather than educational programs, provide ordination examinations. Therefore, each set of ordination examinations differs depending on one’s church or religious teachings.

Most ordination examinations are written. They may be multiple-choice or require pastors-in-training to write essays demonstrating their understanding of religious teachings, specific Bible verses, and much more.

Some churches and programs also require oral ordination exams. Oral ordination exams are challenging – they involve facing many hours of questions from a committee of church members or elders. They explore faith, motivation, and the theological skills of the test taker.

Passing the ordination exams can be difficult and requires a lot of studies beforehand. But if you succeed, you’ll be able to work as a pastor at your church immediately.

How to Become a Pastor Online

Becoming a pastor online is relatively straightforward, making it easier than ever for aspiring pastors to acquire their educational credentials remotely and affordably.

Step 1 – Decide on Your Path

First, be sure you want to start on the path to ordainment. Being a pastor is a lifelong commitment in most cases. It will take several years to become a pastor at minimum.

Step 2 – Earn an Education

Once you decide you want to be a pastor and know what church you will work for and teach at, you’ll need to earn your education. Use resources like GetEducated.com to determine how to become a pastor online. Online religious studies, biblical studies, and divinity programs are ideal. You need a bachelor’s degree at minimum. Still, a master’s degree is always worthwhile and may make you a more attractive candidate for your church.

Step 3 – Meet Denominational Qualifications for Ordainment

You must also meet any denominational qualifications for ordainment from your chosen church. For example, some churches may require you to be over or under a certain age to become a pastor. Others may require you to be married or take a vow never to be married. Many Christian churches do not allow you to be ordained if you are a woman.

Step 4 – Pass the Ordination Exams

You must then pass the ordination exams from your church. These typically include both written and oral examinations.

 Step 5 – Become Ordained or Licensed as a Pastor

Once you pass your ordination exams, you will become ordained or licensed as your pastor (the exact title will depend on your church).

How to Become a Female Pastor

Suppose you are a female and want to become a pastor. In that case, you must find a nondenominational Christian church that allows women into its ministry. Then, you’ll follow the same process described above.

Becoming a Pastor Later in Life

You can also become a pastor later in life, provided you have the proper education and your life experience has not invalidated your ordainment. For example, if pastors of a particular denomination can only become ministers if they have never been married, but you were married before.

How to Become a Pastor Without Seminary

Some churches may allow you to become a pastor without taking certain classes or seminary school. However, these are usually nondenominational churches. Suppose you wish to become a Catholic or Greek Orthodox priest or pastor. In that case, you will have to go through seminary (sometimes called pastor school).

Education

To become a pastor, you have to meet specific educational requirements. This expectation is because pastors must be masters of the Bible – they need to know the book backward and forward and have some ancillary academic language. This educational requirement is partially due to historical tradition. The original primary purpose of schools such as Harvard and Yale, for example, was to instruct young pastors on how to interpret the Bible and read and write Latin.

These days, you still need to meet educational requirements if you want to become a pastor.

Education Requirements to Become a Pastor

Specifically, you must have a bachelor’s degree in an appropriate and related subject, like divinity, Christian studies, theology, and more. Fortunately, many top online and in-person schools offer divinity and Christian studies educational programs. In fact, many of the most affordable online degree programs are in these majors.

There are two-year associate-level degrees in these subjects as well. But to become a pastor, you’ll need a bachelor’s degree at a minimum. Many churches also prefer individuals with master’s degrees in divinity, theology, Christian studies, religious studies, and more.

Concentrations

Depending on the degree program you choose, you may be able to take a concentration and tailor your degree to fit your career in the future. Many of the most popular religious studies programs offer concentrations in areas like:

• Biblical Studies
• Biblical Languages
• Christian Education
• Youth Ministry
• Philosophy
• Pastoral Studies

No matter which program you take, you should make sure a trusted institution accredits the program. Organizations like the Department of Education or the Council for Higher Education Accreditation are program quality and comprehensiveness markers. Do not take a program that is not accredited by a regional or national organization, as your future employer may not recognize your degree.

If you want to become a pastor as your long-term career, you may wish to take a Master of Divinity or M.Div program. M.Div programs take one to two years to complete and are considered essential training regimens for future pastors.

These programs feature advanced coursework covering topics like archaeology in Bible studies, pastoral care and counseling, proclamation and worship, and leadership.

You may also be able to find pastoral residency programs. Residency programs allow students to contribute to leading congregational activities, teaching Sunday school, and much more while completing their educations. This option could be a great way to get the practical experience you need to become employed as a pastor as soon as possible.

How Much Does it Cost to Become a Pastor Online?

It depends on which degrees you already have under your belt. To become a pastor online, you can expect to pay $20,000-$40,000 or more for your bachelor’s degree. A graduate degree after that may cost another $10,000-$20,000 or more.

From start to finish, you will likely pay $20,000-$50,000 for your complete degree. Note that many online programs can have their costs reduced due to scholarships, grants, and other financial aid opportunities.

You can also mitigate the costs of becoming a pastor online if you are wise with the school you choose. Many online schools cost more if you attend from out-of-state, so it could be more affordable to participate in a remote program from a university physically located in your state.

How Many Years Does It Take to Become a Pastor?

In addition to your education, it will take between four and six years to become a pastor from start to finish. That’s because you’ll also need to acquire in-person training experience leading churchgoers, creating Sunday school programs, and much more.

Depending on your educational path, some of this in-person experience can be earned while completing your education. But some can only be achieved after acquiring a degree.

Certifications & Licenses

Most Christian faiths only require you to become ordained as your final step to becoming a pastor. You can become ordained after you have a bachelor’s or master’s degree in religious studies, divinity, etc.

But some churches or organizations may require you to become certified or licensed. In some faiths, the ordination process is called licensure, but it is primarily the same process. You’ll have to take a few tests, one of which may be oral, which tests your academic knowledge and moral certainty of the path before you.

Alternatively, some churches allow you to become a licensed pastor without being ordained. This process requires taking a test; if you pass, you can work as a sort of junior pastor for a specific time. Most licensed pastors are considered a step below ordained pastors; they usually become licensed as a stepping stone toward full ordination.

How to Get a Pastoral License

You can get a pastoral license from a religious program or university that offers such a program. Remember, a program provided by a church exclusively is not necessarily legitimate; the program must be accredited and delivered by an institution of higher education to be valid.

Remember to research whether licensure and ordination are the same things in your church or not. Becoming a licensed pastor is not always the same as being an ordained pastor, depending on a church’s denomination.

Pastoral Counseling Certification Online

Some programs and schools also offer ancillary pastoral counseling certifications. These certifications teach you extra knowledge about counseling, providing interpersonal care and support to your congregation members, and much more.

They can be valuable certifications to pursue if you want to be a flexible, versatile church leader and provide counseling services to your followers. However, pastoral counseling certifications are not necessary to become a pastor.

Pastor Career Path

As a pastor, you will work within your religious denomination and at the same church for long periods. Many pastors become cornerstone members of their communities and live in the same areas for decades, if not their entire lives. Pastor jobs are all very similar to each other, though Catholic pastors have stricter roles and limitations.

When you become a pastor, you may make more money as you earn more responsibilities and eventually become your church’s head pastor or minister. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, the average pastor salary across all denominations is approximately $57,230 annually. The highest-paid clergy can earn upwards of $80,000 per year, however.

Related Careers

As a pastor, you may pursue related careers in the clergy. Depending on your denomination or church, you may be able to become a church leader or executive. At this point, you may undertake more administrative or managerial roles, such as determining church financing, making decisions about the ordination of new pastors and ministers, etc.

Furthermore, acquiring a degree in religious studies or a related subject may qualify you to teach this topic at a college. However, you may also need to take specific prerequisite courses or acquire a secondary degree in education to be eligible for this career.

Professional Organizations, Associations, & Resources

As a pastor or pastor in training, you may find the following professional organizations and resources valuable:

• American Association of Correctional Chaplains
• ACPE Psychotherapy Commission
• Association of Professional Chaplains
• National Association of Catholic Chaplains

FAQs

How do I become a pastor without a degree?

You can only become a pastor without a degree if you find a Christian church that allows it. Most Christian churches require their pastors to have bachelor’s degrees at minimum.

Can I become a pastor for free?

It’s possible but unlikely. Again, you would need to find a church that allows you to train and be ordained as a pastor without having a college credential.

Can a woman be a pastor, according to the Bible?

It depends on your interpretation of the Bible. Most Christian churches do not allow women to be pastors, citing biblical verses stating they cannot take these positions. Some nondenominational Christian churches take the opposite conclusion.

Can a pastor charge for counseling?

Not unless they are a licensed medical counselor, which is a different job/career path. Generally, the pastor’s salary is intended to compensate for all duties performed by the pastor.

How to know if you are called to be a pastor

You need to look inside yourself and consider your career options carefully. Being a pastor is a lifelong path for many.

Can a pastor be divorced?

That depends on your denomination as well. Some churches, primarily nondenominational Christian churches, allow divorced pastors. But most churches do not.

Start Online Today!

You can become a pastor online by attending the proper online divinity or spirituality program. Many top schools offer online pastor degrees that can set you up for success and teach you the skills you need to lead a church for years to come.

GetEducated.com can help you find the right online degree program for your needs. Check out our resources today or contact us for more information.