Your Guide to Meeting the Qualifications of a Pastor in Idaho

Step 1. Earn a Bachelor's Degree in Christian Ministry, Pastoral Studies or Other Similar Major in Idaho

The first step to becoming a pastor in Idaho is earning your undergraduate degree in a Christian-focused field of study. The options for foundational bachelor's degrees are quite broad, and can include a major in everything from theology and Bible studies to Christian counseling and ministry. In these, and other similarly titled bachelor's degrees, you'll find different schools offering some variation of a similar curriculum outline that splits studies between courses covering Christianity and ministry with general undergraduate requirements.

There are three major Christian Universities in Idaho, all of which provide a variety of Christian-based degrees, both online and in person.

Earning a degree is crucial for church leaders, and not merely because you come away knowing more about the Bible and current opportunities in Christian ministry, but because it provides you a variety of essential tools for a life of service and Christian leadership. Tools such as critical thinking, collaboration, communication, and basic knowledge of math, science, and history. Earning a bachelor's degree, therefore, pours the foundation that your life of service will be built upon.

Step 2. Look for Ministry Jobs and Gain Experience Serving the People and Churches of Idaho

“Good leaders,” writes Robert Greenleaf, founder of the modern Servant Leadership movement, “must first become good servants.”

Finding ministry opportunities at your local church not only provides you opportunities to build relationships with your local community and gain hands-on experience with the day-to-day operations of your church, it cultivates a heart of service and builds a mind for leadership.

And all throughout Idaho, there are opportunities to help and serve those in need. From the River of Life Men's Shelter in Boise, the Idaho Falls Rescue Mission, 2^nd Chance Discipleship Ministries in Hayden, and Victory Home Restoration Center in Twin Falls, there are men and women who need you to help and serve them.

There are also a variety of churches who need help even with day-to-day operations that help support the work of the ministry.

Explore Ministry Jobs with One of Idaho's Many Churches

Even while you are earning your bachelor's degree, it is a good idea to start connecting with your local church or churches and pursuing service opportunities. From lawncare or custodial work to running foodbanks or helping out with children's ministries, churches often seem to be in a constant need of help. Connecting with your local church is the easiest way to learn the needs of the community as well as discovering ways you can best serve.

Some of the larger churches of Idaho include:

• Calvary Chapel Boise in Boise
  
• Capital Christian Center in Meridian
  
• Eagle Christian Church in Eagle
• Lake City Community Church in Coeur D Alene
• Real Life Ministries in Post Falls
• Vineyard Boise in Boise

Step 3. Earn a Master of Divinity (MDiv) or Similar Graduate Degree in Idaho and Establish Your Role in Christian Leadership

To become a pastor in Idaho, earning a Master of Divinity is not required for all churches, but it is in many, especially the larger ones. Some smaller, more rural churches may have leaders in their ranks without degrees and even a head pastor with a master's, but the weight of the responsibility that comes with leading a congregation in most churches and denominations more and more often requires a good deal of formal schooling. And that typically means a graduate degree.

Larger, well-established churches, as a rule, do require a graduate degree. A Master of Divinity or similar graduate degree not only prepares Christian leaders for the practical and secular aspects of church leadership, having an advanced degree helps build a layer of trust in you and your knowledge of the Scriptures. Formal education at this level also demonstrates that you are able and willing to learn from others and see life from a variety of perspectives.

As of the 2020 Census, Idaho is second in the country in population growth, adding over 250,000 residents in the ten preceding years alone. And with more people comes more opinions, perspectives, and ways of life. A pastor must therefore be willing to listen, learn, and understand those differing perspectives. A graduate-level education only strengthens your ability to lead a growing and diverse population.

Earning an MDiv typically takes three to four years, encompassing classes such as ecclesiology, systemic theology, liturgical studies, ministry, Latin or Hebrew, and evangelism. You can earn your degree at one of the Christian colleges in Idaho which offer a combination of in-person or online learning, or you can find a number of schools and degrees online, anywhere in the country.

Earning your graduate degree will prepare you for a life of service and ministry within the church, but it can also help you build the foundation for starting your own.

Salary Expectations for Pastor Jobs in Idaho

As of May 2020, the annual salary for pastors and other members of clergy in Idaho was $50,200 with the top 10 percent earning $71,260 or more. With Boise drawing a higher number of people and with the closer proximity to Oregon and Washington, southwest Idaho naturally has a higher number of churches and more opportunities to find a role in Christian leadership.

Step 4. Consider Forming a Christian Ministry of Your Own in Idaho

Starting your own church is no small task. It not only involves a great deal of time and effort in prayer, support from family and friends, and determination, it requires plenty of paperwork too.

To ensure you follow all state and local laws to legally establish your church in Idaho, you must register as a nonprofit with the Idaho Secretary of State and satisfy the following expectations:

1. Create a name: Use Idaho Statutes § 30-30-202 and Idaho Statutes § 30-21-302 for guidance on specific language and abbreviations.
2. Recruit incorporators and initial directors: These individuals will sign your Articles of Incorporation. They are the church's governing body and the stakeholders for your church's purpose and success.
   • For the director position of a religious corporation, Idaho does not require the appointee to be a resident, but they must have been with the organization for at least one year before being appointed.
   • Idaho does not require an officer position. It does, however, require that the president, secretary and treasurer of a religious corporation be separate individuals, not the same person.
3. Appoint a registered Agent: A registered agent will be responsible for receiving legal notices, and must be physically located in the state of Idaho.
4. You'll then need to establish your governing documents and policies, called bylaws. These will serve as the foundation for your church and conflict of interest policy, both of which must be approved and adopted for your 501(c)(3) application.
5. Prepare and file Articles of Incorporation: These articles officially mark the creation of your organization in the state of Idaho and can be done online at sosbiz.idaho.gov.
6. Obtain a Federal Identification Number (FEIN): This nine-digit number is assigned to your church by the IRS that identifies you as a nonprofit. You will need this number to open bank accounts, apply for your 501(c)(3) status, and submit your 990 returns. You can apply for your EIN number online.
7. Apply for 501(c) exemption. At this stage, you may want to consider hiring a professional as the time it takes to get the language and paperwork accurate and in order (over 100 hours) may better be spent serving your community or organizing your church. The agency fee for this filing is $275 or $600, depending on your filing, can only be submitted by mail, with a turnaround time of one to 6 months.

2020 US Bureau of Labor Statistics salary figures and job market trends for Religious Workers, Church Directors, and Clergy based on state data, not school-specific information. Conditions in your area may vary. Data accessed January 2022.