Becoming a pastor can be a rewarding and fulfilling career, but it takes time and perseverance. In this guide, we’ll cover everything you need to know about becoming an ordained minister, including the steps toward certification through seminary school and the best ways to become involved in your church community.
What it takes to be a pastor in South Africa
If you’re a believer who wants to become a pastor, you know it takes years of education and hard work. You must also have a strong relationship with God and your religion. You should be patient and persistent, willing to learn from others as well as yourself.
Finally, be prepared to face challenges and overcome them by developing skills that will serve you throughout your career in ministry.
1. Pursue your faith from a young age.
With faith, there’s no one size fits. As you grow up and develop your spirituality, don’t be afraid to ask questions. Your beliefs should be based on your experiences and the things you know for sure, not what someone tells you is true. And don’t just accept another person’s view of religion without thinking about it; form your own opinions!
As a pastor, being open-minded is important—and it’s also a quality that will help you relate well with others in the community. It’s important that people feel comfortable talking with their pastors about their personal beliefs and experiences. But this isn’t just something that matters for other people: It matters for you as well! You’ll want to make sure that whatever denomination or sect of Christianity feels right for YOU feels right for them too (or vice versa).
2. Choose a school.
Once you’ve become a pastor, it’s time to choose a school. But before you do so, make sure that the program is accredited by the Association of Theological Schools (ATS). This accreditation process ensures schools are meeting specific requirements for theological studies and preparing their students for successful careers in ministry.
It’s also helpful to look at each school’s reputation and curriculum offerings. Some seminaries offer courses in areas like church leadership, preaching or youth ministry; others focus on theological training—which makes sense if your goal is becoming an ordained minister as opposed to working within a church setting. If you attend one of these schools, expect classes with titles such as “Theology” and “History of Christian Thought.” Researching faculty members will help inform your decision about which program fits best with both your career goals and personal interests; consider whether they have experience working with pastors who have gone through similar programs before deciding on where exactly you want to learn more about God!
3. Earn an undergraduate degree in theology or divinity.
A bachelor’s degree is a good start for those who want to become pastors. The degree will help you get into seminary and possibly get a job working in the church. It will also help you understand your faith and the Bible. You might even use some of this knowledge on Sunday mornings when you teach others about God.
4 . Consider getting ordained.
In order to become a pastor, you must be ordained. Ordination is a process by which religious leaders are given authority to perform certain functions within their faith. Ordination is not required to be called a pastor, but it provides an official title and can make it easier for you to get paid for your services. When deciding whether you want to pursue ordination as part of your career in ministry, consider:
- The training required. Most denominations offer classes that prepare prospective pastors for ordination through testing and interviews with church leaders.
- The costs associated with completing this training program and getting ordained. These include tuition fees and fees associated with taking special exams or attending workshops offered at theological schools around the country (or even internationally).
5 . Work at a church as an intern or youth pastor.
Church and seminary internships are a great way to get some hands-on experience in ministry, learn about the church and seminary application process, and meet people who can help you find job opportunities after graduation. Internships also provide valuable networking opportunities that can lead to future career paths outside of ministry or academia (such as management consulting).
The most important part of pursuing this career is patience. You will need to be patient as you wait for the next step in your seminary training, and then again when you are waiting for your first job as a pastor. Never give up on your dream!
Being a pastor is one of the most rewarding careers in the world. If you want to become a pastor, make sure that it’s something that truly means something to you because if not, then what’s the point?
Conclusion
With all this in mind, it’s clear that becoming a pastor is no easy task. But if you have a strong faith, an unwavering commitment to your religion and its teachings, and the patience to complete all the steps needed to get there—you can do it!
