Ministry and Theology Careers

Whether a minister serves as a pastor, teacher, or chaplain, counseling will almost certainly form a key component of their work. Pastors may provide counseling to engaged couples, people considering divorce, and those going through grief. Chaplains offer crisis counseling to first responders, and teachers often counsel students.

Many people attend church to learn more about their faith and how it applies to their daily lives. Pastors and other church leaders teach people what their denomination believes in, helping them actualize that belief in their homes, friendships, and workplaces.

Pastors need outstanding communication skills to preach sermons in front of a congregation each week. Additionally, teachers speak in front of classes and executive directors give talks to their teams. Knowing how to craft and deliver a compelling and informative speech helps these professionals communicate their purpose and mission with clarity.

Formal ministry takes place within organizational structures. Pastors, principals, presidents, and executive directors of Christian organizations need leadership skills in order to inspire their congregation and excel in these organizations. They must be able to articulate a compelling vision, urge people to get behind that vision, and oversee the activities and objects that help achieve an organization’s mission.

Staff members, volunteers, parents, denominational officials, and family members can experience conflict between each other in a church setting. A pastor often has to assume the role of lead negotiator and resolve problems.

The Center for Public Justice: An independent, nonpartisan organization committed to civic education and policy research, CPJ hosts events and publishes books and journals to help leaders and citizens understand God’s call to do justice.

National Association of Evangelicals: NAE represents 45,000 local churches in 40 different denominations. The association produces a podcast, publishes a magazine, and hosts regular events. NAE also puts on the Christian Student Leadership Conference for college students of faith interested in public policy.

The Veritas Forum: This forum provides space for experts and professors to help college students and faculty members think deeply about issues of faith, justice, brokenness, and the good life. Students can attend live events or watch recordings online. Students may also help host forums on campuses.

InterVarsity: An interdenominational campus ministry with a 75-year history, InterVarsity engages with young people on college campuses. The organization participates in evangelism, discipleship, and missions both on and off campus. InterVarsity operates a publishing press, a video production arm, and three retreat centers across the country.

Society for Pentecostal Studies: Founded in 1970, SPS consists of scholars committed to studying, publicizing, encouraging, and supporting Pentecostal and Charismatic theology. The organization publishes Pneuma: The Journal of the Society for Pentecostal Studies and hosts an annual meeting for members and friends. Members can also access student conferences, newsletters, and past research projects conducted by society members.

The Evangelical Theological Society: This society hosts an annual meeting and publishes a quarterly journal. Students and other professionals can also take advantage of the organization’s career connections service.

Society for the Arts in Religious and Theological Studies: SARTS members work together to develop the arts in religion and society. The organization publishes ARTS Journal, which contains academic, practical, and pedagogical articles. The society also hosts an annual conference where members can present papers. Student members gain access to fellowships and digital libraries.

Society of Biblical Literature: Serving 8,000 members, SBL focuses on critical scholarship of the Bible. The society publishes books and journals on biblical studies, along with extensive resources for teaching the Bible. Members can attend regional, national, and international conferences and take advantage of an online career center.

American Academy of Religion: An academic coalition of religion scholars, AAR offers extensive publications, including journals and books. The academy also hosts employment listings, regional meetings, and an annual meeting. AAR provides research and travel grants to scholars and gives awards to outstanding teachers, journalists, and artists.

Jesus in Scripture and Tradition – University of Notre Dame: Students in this course learn to recognize key events, places, and people of the Old Testament, while also reflecting on the mysteries and teachings of Christ. The course examines the church’s relationship to Christ and considers religious questions through select passages in the Bible.

Understanding God’s Covenants – Dallas Theological Seminary: This six-week course covers the main covenants of the Bible, including the promises that God made to His people and how He continues to keep those promises. Students also examine and consider how to best serve this promise-keeping God.

Understanding the Old Testament – Crown College: During this eight-week course, learners study and consider various facets of the Old Testament. Upon completion, students can earn a certificate of completion and academic credit that they can apply toward a degree at Crown College.

Christ-Centered Exposition – Southeastern Baptist Theological Seminary: This course focuses on preaching and teaching others about the word of God. An experienced pastor explains how preaching reflects the declaration of Christ in the Scriptures. Students learn how to become more effective teachers of the messages contained in the Bible.

Ministry: The Seventh-day Adventist church has published this monthly magazine for nearly a century. Clergy members who practice a variety of faiths subscribe to the publication. The magazine boasts a circulation of more than 60,000 readers.

Ministry Today: Launched in 1983, this publication began with a focus on the Charismatic and Pentecostal movements. Ministry Today has since expanded its readership to pastors, church leaders, and ministers. The magazine features articles and insights that help faith leaders serve their congregations.

Theology: Theology features in-depth articles and analysis written by pastors, theologians, and other experts from around the world. The magazine features profiles of people of faith throughout history and explores how Christians can reach out to people in the West using new methods. The magazine publishes quarterly.

America: America provides articles, videos, and other multimedia that reflect how Catholics think and feel in the modern world. Contributors include major faith leaders in the Catholic church, decision-makers in society, and world-renowned scholars and thinkers.