if you are interested in theology, how can you make a living. can you work for someone.
2006-08-22 13:15:26 · 18 answers · asked by almostageniusbutsomuchtoknow 2 in Society & Culture ➔ Religion & Spirituality
I'm guessing that you have to go to college, then to a seminary for a master's degree in theology, and then search for a church to be ordained into or start your own.
2006-08-22 13:17:25 · answer #1 · answered by chrstnwrtr 7 · 0⤊ 2⤋
As a daughter of a now-retired pastor, and who has two other relatives currently pastoring churches, plus two more on the way towards their ministry degrees, I feel I can answer your question.
First of all it depends on whether the person is going into a denomination or into a non-denominational churches. Some, pastors like the United Methodist, or Missouri Synod Lutheran are paid by the denomination and their salaries are based on various factors such as congregation size and the budget of their congregation.
Typically, a pastor can expect to live at the median level of their congregation.
But it all depends on the congregation itself. In the non-denominational churches, or churches like the Assemblies of God or a Baptist church, each church sets up a ministerial budget. Some churches include a housing allowance or a parsonage. In cases where a pastor has housing provided, his wages are usually very low.
A lot of ministers like my dad worked a full time job in addition to pastoring a church.
A good way to discover this would be to sit down with a minister. My nephew actually started as an assistant to another pastor and got to fill in the pulpit and as he gained more experience and training, he got to handle more and more responsibilities.
If you feel that God is calling you to do this, please pray about the decision and see if God will show you a church where the pastor can allow you to help him and job shadow.
May God's blessings be upon you!
2006-08-22 20:54:03 · answer #2 · answered by Searcher 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋
It depends. If you are a part of a church that pays its pastor, that is a good way to make a living - at least in part. There are other things you can do like drive bus or fix computers to fill in the rest.
If youa re a part of a church that does not pay the pastor, then you have a little tougher tme making a living.
2006-08-22 21:40:18 · answer #3 · answered by Buzz s 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Join a church and become an active menber. Go to college and get your undergraduate degree in one of the following: English, history, philosophy, christian education, bible, greek and hebrew. Go to seminary and get your masters of divinity. Get ordained through your church, apply for your commission into the military, Navy, Army, or Air Force as a Chaplain. Depending upon how far you rise in rank and where you live you can be making over $100,000.00 after 20 years. Money should not be the reason you enter the ministry but you can make a living (a worker is worthy of his wages the Bible says) doing so. In the military is a very challenging opportunity. http://www.chaplain.navy.mil/index.asp
2006-08-22 20:44:20 · answer #4 · answered by nobodiesinc 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋
My father-in-law was a pastor for many years and with his wife, even supported 3 kids. It was tough, and there are sacrifices. But he was in a small church, but had a house. Members of the congregation, knowing it was a small pay, were often moved to give gifts of food etc.
So you can make a living fine, but you have to know if you want to serve, or collect possessions mostly. With a part time job on the side if it is a small church, plus if wife works, you can be quite fine.
2006-08-22 20:18:29 · answer #5 · answered by Gimli44 2 · 1⤊ 1⤋
Well If A Church Hires You Then They Pay You, If You Start Your Own Church You Make Sure The Church Is Taken Care Of Then You Get A Salary Out Of Whats Left
2006-08-22 20:19:46 · answer #6 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 1⤋
You live on faith. Being a Pastor, you will go through trials by the Lord because He needs to grow you before He can use you. He needs to trust you with the little you have before He can give you more... The bible says to Prepare... So go and Prepare... www.learnthebible.org
2006-08-22 20:20:39 · answer #7 · answered by faithfulbibleman 2 · 0⤊ 1⤋
Alot of pastors do so along with a full-time job for their income.
2006-08-22 20:23:08 · answer #8 · answered by giantarmadillo 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
If I were you I would start my own church. If you aren't a pastor yet you would need to go to Bible College. Then starting a church would be a great way to start your career,
2006-08-22 20:21:41 · answer #9 · answered by Matt K 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋
You can get a job! If you have proper training and you are working with a Church, they would ordain you and there may be work in the denomination you are with. CHeck out www.churchstaffing.com
2006-08-22 20:21:10 · answer #10 · answered by Wise ol' owl 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋