The spiritual needs of people continue to increase as economic, family, and larger world issues add stress to their lives. Many churches, synagogues, and mosques are looking for dedicated leaders to help their congregations and develop their faith and relationship with God. In fact, the U. S. Bureau of Labor Statistics says the number of jobs for clergy members will increase between 7 percent to 13 percent by the year 2018. Most people who are interested in a career as a clergy member feel God is calling them to this vocation. For others, it starts as a deep desire to help others. However your interest started, there is no denying there is a need for you.

The Clergy Job Description

A clergy member’s job description is often long, detailed, and seemingly never-ending. Just as people’s needs and crises don’t always occur between 9:00 a.m. and 5:00 p.m., a clergy member’s job may start later in the day and extend well into the evening hours and on weekends. Christian clergy are usually considered the leaders, coordinators, or directors of a church. They are responsible for the spiritual health and growth of the church’s members. They prepare and lead worship services, sermons or homilies, and oversee all aspects of the church and its role in the community. Clergy members are also expected to advise and council congregants, visit ill church members in the hospital, and perform basic religious rites such as baptism, marriage, burial services. Many Christian churches, especially larger churches, also hire associate or assistant pastors, youth pastors or leaders, music directors, and directors of Christian education. Some of these positions may not require formal theological education, although it will be preferred.

Judaist clergy members are considered the leaders, coordinators, or directors of a synagogue. They are responsible for the spiritual health and growth of the synagogue’s members. They prepare and lead worship services, singing, teaching, and oversee all aspects of the synagogue and its role in the community. Clergy members are also expected to advise and council congregants. Some may be licensed social workers. However, those who do not have the additional education in counseling are trained to know when to refer congregants to counseling professionals. Clergy also visit ill congregants who are in the hospital, and perform basic Judaist religious rites such as marriages and funerals. A big part of a clergy member’s job is to organize and lead the synagogue’s B’nei Mitzvah program, a program for children that prepares them to lead a service when they are 13. There are two types of clergy members in the Judaist faith, rabbis and cantors.

People practicing the Islamic faith attend worship at mosques. The leader of the Islamic service is called an imam. The imam performs many of the same functions as a Christian worship leader or Jewish rabbi or cantor, and is considered the spiritual and religious leader of that Muslim community. So How do I go About Becoming a Clergy Member?

Religious Degrees

The first thing you need to do, no matter what faith you practice, is obtain an advanced degree in theology, religious studies, or an area related to your chosen area of specialization. For example, if you are Christian and interested in becoming the music director of a church, you may need to obtain a master’s degree in music. There are many seminaries, Christian colleges and universities, and programs at traditional universities where you can earn this degree. But before you apply to a school, you need to make sure the degree you earn will be accepted by your church. Many churches have their own theological schools or seminaries, so be sure to ask a current clergy person which school will give you the degree and education accepted by your denomination.

If you are Jewish and interested in becoming a rabbi or cantor, you will need to attend a seminary accepted by your particular movement, whether you are Orthodox, Reform, Conservative, or Reconstructionist. Discuss the educational requirements associated with this career with a rabbi or cantor currently working. To become an imam, you need to obtain a master’s degree in religious studies from an accredited university.

Once you have earned your degree, the journey is not over. Some faiths require that their clergy members work as assistants or at smaller churches, synagogues, or mosques before taking on a larger congregation. Rabbis and cantors may also be required to spend a minimum of one year in Israel. At the end of the process you become ordained, although the clergy of some Christian denominations do not become ordained until they have spent time working in a church.

Finding Clergy Jobs

The final step is to obtain a job. Christian denominations usually have established systems for placing their clergy members in jobs. For example, if you are Methodist, graduated from a Methodist seminary, and are in the process of becoming ordained in the Methodist church, local officials will place you where there is a need. For non-denominational churches or others you may need to conduct traditional job searches, using the Internet (there are several Web sites for finding clergy jobs), networking, and newspaper ads.

The needs are great, so if you feel you are being called to pursue this career, the time is right to begin the process.

Article submitted by Lisa Jenkins shares the good news about a number of available Christian jobs.