People can hear God’s calling at any time and any place. It might be while you’re in the shower, it might be while you’re shopping at the Biltmore Fashion Park in Phoenix, or it might be while you’re hiking in the Grand Canyon.
Regardless of the when or where, it’s a strong message and you can’t ignore it. There are many different types of callings, and here we’re talking about God’s challenge for you to become a pastor.
This is a unique type of calling that’s not for everyone. But for those who hear it, this calling is so strong that it supersedes all else. And that’s good, because the best church leaders are determined, committed, motivated, and capable.
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To become a strong, compassionate church leader –a person who literally serves as the go-between for Christ and your local community– you need to complete four important steps. Learning how to become a pastor and serve the people of Arizona takes education, experience, and even a basic knowledge of business and legal matters.
Steps to Become a Pastor in Arizona
Step 1. Earn a Bachelor’s Degree in Christian Ministry, Pastoral Studies or Other Similar Major in Arizona
If you’re going to be preaching, you want to make sure that what you’re saying is well-founded and rooted in scripture. If you’re striving to be a pastor, a bachelor’s degree in a field like ministry, pastoral leadership, or religious studies is ideal.
Earning a relevant bachelor’s degree is also critical for your future alignment to become a pastor: you’ll need a bachelor’s degree before you can obtain a Master of Divinity or related degree.
There are several key reasons why a bachelor’s degree in a field like Christian ministry is so important:
- This will give you a theoretical grounding in the Old and New Testaments. This is a fundamental starting point for anyone who wants to preach based upon the Word of the Lord.
- It will cover general undergraduate requirements that are also central in establishing yourself as a successful pastor, like psychology, speech, history, English writing, and cultural studies.
- It can open up doors like more advanced positions within your local church and the opportunity to earn an advanced academic degree.
- It will put you in a professional environment that you can learn from. You’ll be immersed in an academic setting with professionally-orientated classmates that will expose you to a leadership environment. Being familiar with and comfortable in a leadership environment is what distinguishes leaders from followers.
Today's modern society needs spiritual leadership now more than ever.
While Arizona is the country's 14th most-populous state, it ranks ninth nationally for its percentage of population who are homeless, according to 2020 statistics from the US Interagency Council on Homelessness. The CDC reports that over the 12-month period leading up to June 2021, drug overdose deaths in Arizona increased by over 17%, with an average of more than seven people dying every day.
People need to hear the good news. It's a matter of life and death. And time is of the essence.
Step 2. Look for Ministry Jobs and Gain Experience Serving the People and Churches of Arizona
Establishing yourself with a solid bachelor's degree can open new doors. Positions in your church, like youth pastor, men's or women's-group pastor, or ministerial community outreach, can become more tangible once you can distinguish yourself with relevant education.
Gaining field experience in your church or with a local volunteer group is critical for any would-be pastor. As a spiritual leader, you need to speak the language of your community and understand the important issues. This means on-the-ground experience.
Church leadership knows this as well as anyone, and that's why they value candidates for leadership positions who have demonstrated leadership experience at the local level.
Gaining relevant experience is strategic, but let's not forget the spiritual side of the equation. You're following God's calling for you to become a pastor. This means being empathetic with your community; being a highly relatable leader who inspires confidence and respect. You can only get this working as an equal among equals; by demonstrating an organic interest in your community's most pressing concerns.
Salary Expectations for Church Ministry Jobs in Arizona
Leaders and directors of religious activities and education in Arizona earned an average salary of $49,170 in 2020, with mid-level leaders/directors earning $55,230 that year.
Explore Ministry Jobs with One of Arizona's Many Churches
Christ's Church of the Valley is one example where you could make a difference in a leadership role. With locations extending throughout the greater Salt River Valley area, this congregation needs leaders who can assist in activities like grief support, kids programming, baptisms, and mission trips. This church is proud of its 596 participants who've been part of mission trips both locally and abroad.
Other church in Arizona where you could be of service include:
- Calvary Chapel of Prescott in Prescott
- Calvary Community Church in Phoenix
- Calvary Tucson in Tucson
- Casas Church in Tucson
- Central Christian Church in Mesa
- Chandler Christian Church in Chandler
- Christ Community Church in Tucson
- Christ's Church of the Valley in Peoria
- Church for the Nations in Phoenix
- City of Grace in Mesa
- Community Church of Joy in Glendale
- Cornerstone Christian Fellowship in Chandler
- Faith Community Church in Tucson
- Grace Community Church in Tempe
- Highlands Church in Scottsdale
- Kingdom in the Valley Christian Church in Litchfield Park
- La Casa de Cristo Lutheran Church in Scottsdale
- Living Streams Church in Phoenix
- Love International Ministries in Phoenix
- Mission Community Church in Gilbert
- North Phoenix Baptist Church in Phoenix
- North Scottsdale Christian in Scottsdale
- Northwest Community Church in Phoenix
- Palm Valley Community Church in Litchfield Park
- Palmcroft Baptist Church in Phoenix
- Pantano Christian Church in Tucson
- Phoenix First Assembly of God in Phoenix
- Pilgrim Rest Baptist Church in Phoenix
- Radiant Church in Surprise
- Redemption Church in Tempe
- Scottsdale Bible Church in Scottsdale
- Spring of Life Christian Church in Mesa
- Sun Valley Community Church in Gilbert
- The Heights Church in Prescott
- The Living Word Bible Church in Mesa
- The River of Life Church in Phoenix
- Victory Assembly in Tucson
- Vineyard Christian Fellowship of North Phoenix in Glendale
Step 3. Earn a Master of Divinity (MDiv) or Similar Graduate Degree in Arizona and Establish Your Role in Christian Leadership
Earning a Master of Divinity or related degree represents the point in your journey where your experience dovetails with your academic expertise. You’ll take years of fieldwork and person-to-person knowledge and combine this with an academic understanding that cumulatively builds on a bachelor’s-level foundation.
Master’s programs are offered in two equal formats: online to accommodate your busy community engagement schedule, and on-campus to provide you with a more physically personable experience.
Relevant master’s programs can include a focus on a range of topics including:
- Divinity
- Bible studies
- Missions
- Theology
- Pastoral studies
- Ministry
Master’s programs in Divinity and related fields will take a deep dive into the critical aspects of Christianity. Greek, Aramaic, and Hebrew angles are all considered as part of an academically rigorous faith-based curriculum.
Ultimately a master’s program will vastly enhance your understanding of all aspects of ministry.
Graduating with a Master of Divinity or other relevant degree is an exciting point along your journey to fulfill God’s calling. You’re now qualified to apply for advanced-level positions in your church like senior pastor, chaplain, and non-profit program manager.
This is the point where the spiritual rubber of your tires meets the asphalt of the modern-day-reality road. It’s time to apply for the top spots that you’re competitively poised for. You’ve got the experience and educational chops to proceed and there’s nothing standing in the way between you and your God-given destiny.
Salary Expectations for Pastor Jobs in Arizona
Pastors and other members of clergy in Arizona earn an average of $56,830 per year. Pastors in Arizona at the height of their careers, the ones with the most experience and education earning within the top ten percent make more than $81,610 per year.
Step 4. Consider Forming a Christian Ministry of Your Own in Arizona
When the Holy Spirit calls you to lead, ambitions can stretch beyond your local church. You may feel called to start your own house of worship. For many this is a natural progression. When embarking on this challenge you must consider the laws at the state and federal levels.
At the Arizona state level need to:
- Pick a name for your church. Search the Arizona Corporation Commission (ACC) to ensure your name isn’t already spoken for.
- Establish a board of directors. This must be at least one person, and the board of directors must subsequently be elected at shareholder meetings.
- Appoint a registered agent/statutory agent who is based in Arizona. This person is qualified to accept legal documents on your church’s behalf.
- These details will be finalized when you file your Articles of Incorporation with the ACC ($40 fee).
- Once you’re incorporated, you need to publish this fact within two months in a publication that’s based in your statutory agent’s county. You need to announce your incorporation in a minimum of three consecutive publications. The ACC provides this list of approved publications.
To register as a federal 501(c)(3) nonprofit with the IRS you’ll need to:
- Apply for an Employer Identification Number (EIN) using an SS-4 Form.
- Draft Articles of Incorporation that describe your church’s governance and management system. You also need to draft a Declaration of Trust. The IRS provides examples of what must be included on these documents.
- Submit a Form 1023 to the IRS ($275 fee); this is your official application for non-profit 501(c)(3) status.
Having successfully navigated the red-tape involved with starting your own church, you can now hit the ground running and start putting the Lord’s word into action as you fulfill your calling.
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.
Christian Colleges in Arizona
Grand Canyon University College of Theology
BA in Christian Ministry (campus)
BA in Christian Studies (campus, online)
- Biblical Studies
- Global Ministry
- Philosophy
- Worship
BA in Worship Arts (campus)
- Emphasis in Media and Production Ministry
- Worship
Master of Divinity (campus, online)
- Christian Leadership
- Christian Ministry
- Urban Ministry
- Youth and Family Ministry
International Baptist College
BA (campus)
- Christian Service
- Teacher Education
- Church Music
Master of Divinity (campus)
- Master of Christian Education
- MA in Ministry
Non MDiv Masters (campus)
Online Christian Universities in Arizona
Arizona Christian University
BA in Biblical and Theological Studies (online, campus)
- Biblical Languages
- Theology
Also offered:
BS in Christian Ministries (online)
Phoenix Seminary
Master of Divinity (hybrid)
- Biblical Studies
- Theological Studies
Also offered:
MA in Ministry (hybrid)
- Christian Studies
- Ministry Skills
- Leadership and Administration
- Intercultural Studies
MA in Biblical and Theological Studies (hybrid)
