You may not think of New Mexico as the origin of Christianity in North America. On the contrary, the land gave fruit to Christian roots almost 500 years ago, when Don Juan de Oñate led Spanish Colonists to the east bank of the Rio Grande. With him were eight Franciscan friars who established the Catholic Church in what is today New Mexico.
New Mexico’s Christian community remains vibrant and joyous. According to Pew Research, 75 percent of New Mexicans identify as Christian. Catholics, Mainline Protestants, and Evangelical Protestants congregate from one end of Route 25 to the other. Church attendance is strong, and there’s ample opportunity to expand the Good Word to people in need.
It’s hard not to be inspired by God’s presence in the Land of Enchantment. You’ve thought about making Him the focal point of your life and spread his Word. But what does it take to become a minister in New Mexico? Where to you start on this wonderful journey?
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The steps in this simple guide will show you exactly how to become a pastor in New Mexico.
Steps to Become a Pastor in New Mexico
Step 1. Earn a Bachelor’s Degree in Christian Ministry, Pastoral Studies or Other Similar Major in New Mexico
If you want to become an engineer, you get a bachelor’s in engineering. It’s no different if you want to become a pastor. If you plan on giving a sermon every Sunday, you need to understand the Bible at a much deeper level. In addition, being a good pastor also means knowing how to run a strong church.
You can gain all of this through a bachelor’s program in Christian ministry, pastoral studies, or Bible studies. Christian ministry and pastoral studies degrees are two sides of the same coin. In both degrees, you’ll learn:
- How to interpret lessons in the Old and New Testaments.
- The history of Christianity, and its place in the modern world.
- How to be an effective leader within a local church.
- How to deliver pastoral care to individuals and communities.
Some Christian ministry programs focus a bit more on oration and public speaking than pastoral studies, but that isn't always the case. It all depends on where you choose to pursue your study. Ultimately, look for a program that inspires you. Doing so will make for a more fulfilling educational experience.
Step 2. Look for Ministry Jobs and Gain Experience Serving the People and Churches of New Mexico
Once you obtain your bachelor's degree in Christian ministry or pastoral studies, you'll have an edge over others applying for entry-level jobs in the church. It'll also help you secure a position under direct supervision of the head pastor. Some positions may be administrative in nature, while others entail serving the congregation through God. Such jobs include:
- Associate Pastor: You'll assist the minister with the church's day-to-day, manage events, conduct services and ceremonies, and set up volunteer opportunities.
- Youth Pastor: Like working with kids? Youth pastors set up events designed to engage adolescents. Those initiatives include volunteer opportunities and chances to help struggling teens.
- Worship Leader: These are the folks who bring enthusiasm to every service. You'll help bring congregations to life through music, activities, and speech.
Explore Ministry Jobs with One of New Mexico's Many Churches
In your job search, you may find difficulty landing a full-time position with smaller congregations. A minister with only 100 worshippers per service likely won't need a junior pastor to assist them.
Megachurches, on the other hand, need not only additional pastors, but also administrative staff to run the whole operation. More attendees mean more volunteer and service opportunities. That's a lot for a single pastor to handle. We've listed the largest churches in New Mexico below to help you in your search:
- Calvary Baptist Church (Las Cruces)
- Calvary Church (Albuquerque)
- Casa Del Rey
- Citizen Church
- Hills Church
- Hoffmantown Church
- Legacy Church
- Sagebrush Church
While the Bureau of Labor Statistics doesn't provide income data on religious workers in New Mexico, it does provide information on how much these workers earn nationwide. Across the U.S., religious workers earn an average $40,070 per year. That can make for a decent living throughout much of New Mexico.
Your pay will rise as you build experience in whatever position you obtain – whether it’s as a youth pastor, worship pastor, or administrative assistant. The top 10 percent of religious workers earn upwards of $65,830 nationwide. Earning this income or higher may necessitate a higher degree, such as a Master of Divinity.
Step 3. Earn a Master of Divinity (MDiv) or Similar Graduate Degree in New Mexico and Establish Your Role in Christian Leadership
Leading a congregation of your own requires a deeper understanding of the Bible. For this reason, many aspiring ministers pursue a Master of Divinity (MDiv) degree.
An MDiv prepares students for a life in the ministry. They take between three and six years to complete. Some include a residency in which students work under a minister. Some of the courses you'll take include:
- Biblical exegesis and hermeneutics
- Basic Greek and Biblical Hebrew
- Teaching and preaching the Old Testament
- Missiology
- Ecclesiology
- Christian and Biblical ethics
- Church administration and operations
- Health and spirituality
While an MDiv degree is one of the more popular options among head ministers, it’s not a hard-and-fast requirement. Those interested in pursuing a master’s in transformative ministry, Biblical studies, or Christian Theology will equip themselves with many of the same tools.
When choosing a master’s program, reflect on the messaging that reflects with the people of New Mexico. As Catholicism is the most popular faith in the state, understanding the New Testament is essential, given its role in describing the salvation Christ’s followers will ultimately experience.
At the end of the day, you simply need to find a master’s program that best supports your mission. How do you want to spread the faith throughout the state? What program will help you achieve that? Those are the questions you need to answer.
Salary Expectations for Pastor Jobs in New Mexico
On average, pastors and other church leaders in New Mexico earn $57,100 per year. Those with extensive experience leading congregations make more. The top 10 percent of pastors in here report earning $78,870 or more annually. So, there’s a bright future ahead for those who want to build their career at the pulpit in more ways than one.
Step 4. Consider Forming a Christian Ministry of Your Own in New Mexico
Throughout your career, you may encounter communities in need of faith. It could be a small town off Rt. 285, or a community nestled beneath Carson National Forest. Opening up your own church is a noble pursuit, but it’s not without its litigious responsibilities.
Just like any other nonprofit, you’ll have quite a bit of paperwork to fill out. You’ll have to submit documents to the IRS and New Mexico state government. It all begins with legally forming your church.
Name Your Church and File Articles of Incorporation
Incorporating your church isn’t a prerequisite to getting up and running, but it’s a wise move for many. Incorporating exempts members of your church from any liabilities it may encounter in the future. For example, if any party were to file a lawsuit against your church, you’d pay claims through one of two ways:
- A liability insurance policy.
- Any assets owned by the church.
Incorporation is a bit of a process. The first step involves naming your organization. You need to check with the New Mexico Secretary of State’s Business Services Division to ensure that the name of your church is available. You can’t use the same name as another institution registered with the state.
Find Board Members and Officers
Board members act as the governing body of your church. They make sure the church remains focused on its mission. It’s sort of a checks-and-balance system. New Mexico requires that every incorporated nonprofit has at least three directors.
Officers are the folks running the day-to-day operations of your church. They’re the president, secretary, treasurer, and other top-end administrative folks. New Mexico requires that your bylaws define the officers’ roles. The state also mandates that one officer maintains a record of all directors’ and members’ meetings.
Filing Your Articles of Incorporation in New Mexico
The form you’ll submit to the Secretary of State’s office asks for the following information:
- The name of the nonprofit (your church).
- The purpose for which the nonprofit is incorporated.
- The name of the registered agent.
- The principle place of business.
- The names and addresses of each director.
- The names and addresses of each incorporator.
Once you’ve filed your articles of incorporation, you can apply for a 501(c)(3) status with the IRS.
Receiving Your 501(c)(3) Status
The IRS specifically states that religious organizations which meet the requirements of section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code “are automatically considered tax exempt and are not required to apply for and obtain recognition of exempt status from the IRS.”
However, applying and receiving your 501(c)(3) status gives you legal assurance at both a federal and state level. If you receive a tax-exempt status at the federal level, New Mexico will reciprocate. That means the state will consider all income you generate through charities as tax exempt.
To get your 501(c)(3) status, you need to first obtain an Employer Identification Number. Once you’ve done so, you may work with a tax advisor to fill out Form 1023. This is your application for a 501(c)(3) designation.
Understanding Your Responsibilities in New Mexico
Depending on who you talk to, some may say your church needs to file annual reports with New Mexico’s Attorney General. That rule applies to all charitable organizations recognized under 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code.
However, New Mexico’s Charitable Solicitations Act exempts religious organizations from filing those reports. This exemption applies to any groups associated with your church, such as an organization that uses volunteer funds to build affordable homes.
Remember: the devil’s in the details. A corporate attorney will flush out any details which may hinder your church’s operations. They’ll make sure everything’s above board and you’re legally protected.
Obtain Insurance
This includes coverage for liability, property, automotive (in case you plan on purchasing vehicles exclusively for the church’s use), and worker’s compensation. Each policy will cover you in the event of an accident or litigious claim made against your church.
Follow Your Calling
Your faith led you here for a reason. God has directed you to this decision. Your life is in His hands, and they’ll guide you throughout your journey – from the university halls to a congregation of hundreds. Take that first step, and the best of luck to you.
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 February 2022.
Christian Colleges in New Mexico
University of the Southwest College of Arts & Sciences
Bachelor of Arts and Sciences in Christian Studies (campus)
MA in Christian Studies (campus)
