Your Guide to Meeting the Qualifications of a Pastor in California

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

It’s one thing to read the Bible by yourself or talk about it with a friend. It’s quite another to study it within the academic rigors of a bachelor’s degree program in pastoral studies or Christian ministry.

Bachelor’s degrees in these fields give you a strong educational foundation on which to build your faith and career. Not only will you learn key insights into the history of the Bible and the study of the Old and New Testaments; you’ll also cover important undergraduate subjects you use every day as a pastor. Speech, communication, writing, business; these all come together in undergraduate programs in Christian ministry and pastoral studies.

A bachelor’s degree is also a steppingstone towards earning the degree you can use to break through to senior-level leadership roles: a master’s degree in Divinity or a related field.

With higher education you’ll see how theoretical topics you learn in the classroom translate to real-world issues you’re in contact with every day. Psalms Chapter 23 states, “The LORD is my shepherd; I shall not want.”

There’s a drug epidemic sweeping the nation, and particularly California. It’s a major contributor to the state’s homelessness crisis. Something is wrong. People haven’t heard the good news that once they accept the Lord into their lives they shall not want. Instead, their lives are empty. They’re looking to fill a hole and they fill it with drugs. The CDC reports that between June 2020 and June 2021 the number of drug overdose deaths in California increased by 45 percent, killing on-average more than 30 people every day!

Once you’ve earned your degree, you’ll be prepared to take on more leadership responsibilities at your local church; positions where you can spread the good news of the Lord and make a difference.

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

Once you’ve earned your bachelor’s degree, you’ll find new career opportunities open for you at local churches. This is the time to gain experience, to connect with those you encounter, and to learn how to interact with people professionally in a religious setting. These are all vital skills for any pastor; you must connect with your community, speak its language, and understand its needs.

Once you’ve gained experience, you’ll be ready to move up into more senior roles within your local church. It’s always good to keep one foot in the world of service and the active church, even while you’re busy with school.

And that’s what comes next. Once you’re ready to move up to the next level of expertise in your education and career, it’s time to apply for graduate degree programs.

Salary Expectations for Church Ministry Jobs in California

The US Department of Labor tracks California salary data for professionals who work in church settings.

It reports that non-leadership and entry-level religious staff, represented by its category “religious workers all others,” earn an average yearly wage of $47,310. This places California among the top-five states for offering the highest average salaries for entry-level and non-leadership religious staff.

Moving up the career ladder, directors of religious activities and education earn an annual average of $63,190. More experienced directors, represented by the 75th-percentile, earn $80,050. Directors at the top of their field, represented by the 90th-percentile, earn a six-figure income of $112,330.

Explore Ministry Jobs with One of California's Many Churches

Every church has its own job requirements and positions. Take Orange County’s Mariners Church that was founded 50 years ago as an example. As it grows it’s recruiting for: