Your Guide to Meeting the Qualifications of a Pastor in Louisiana

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Louisiana is one of the most Christian states in the nation. A 2021 Pew poll found that 84% of adults in the state identify as Christian:

  • 27% are Evangelical Protestant
  • 26% are Catholic
  • 22% are Historically Black Protestant
  • 8% are Mainline Protestant

This is both good news and bad news for prospective pastors.

On the one hand, a lot of the heavy lifting has already been done: much of Louisiana is already familiar with God, Jesus, and the Bible.

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louisiana logoOn the other hand, despite this familiarity, many Louisianans do not know Christ. They are not saved by Christ, nor have they really accepted Him as their Lord and personal savior.

There’s so much work to do ahead. Just one example: the number of drug overdose deaths in Louisiana has increased by 31% between 2020 and 2021 according to the CDC. Jesus’ message is not getting through; people are lacking spiritual fulfillment.

As an aspiring pastor the mission is clear: you can help struggling people overcome their challenges through a shared experience with the light of the Lord. And you can introduce Jesus’ message to those who don’t know Him.

If God has called you to become a pastor it’s important to realize this doesn’t happen overnight. Effective ministry is a journey that involves commitment, dedication, and surrender to the Lord. It’s not easy, but it can ultimately be tremendously fulfilling.

The first step in this journey starts with establishing a solid foundation in the study of Christianity; it starts with a relevant education.

Steps to Become a Pastor in Louisiana

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

In addition to online options, right now schools in Louisiana offer bachelor’s degrees in the following fields:

A bachelor’s degree is a standard entry requirement for Master of Divinity programs, an educational line that often demarcates the boundary between mid-level and senior leadership.

Earning a relevant bachelor’s degree puts distance between you and the lay ministers lacking a formal education. It distinguishes you for jobs at your local church that are vital for getting your foot in the door so your career can get on the upward mobility track.

Studying a field like worship ministry, Biblical studies, or apologetics gives you a solid foundation to work from when you minister to congregants at your church. There are no shortage of issues affecting Louisiana and addressing these starts with a bachelor’s degree.

Homelessness in Louisiana increased by nearly eight percent over the year leading up to 2020, according to the US Department of Housing and Urban Development. And the drug abuse epidemic sweeping the state doesn’t help. The CDC reports that between September 2020 and September 2021 the number of overdose deaths in Louisiana is projected to be a staggering 2,394 people.

Once you’ve earned your degree, you’ll be prepared to launch into service at your local church to gain vital hands-on experience working to address the issues that are most pressing to your congregation.

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

A huge part of being a minister is person-to-person interaction. While you might earn an undergraduate degree in a related field, there’s no substitute for interpersonal relationships at your local church.

Having a bachelor’s degree opens up additional career doors so you can transition into positions at your local house of worship like:

Churches in Louisiana offer countless activities and services where you can gain valuable work experience.

For example, Bethany Church in Baton Rouge offers age-specific prayer groups so people at similar stages in life can worship in a community together. It also sponsors mission trips to places like Mexico, Cuba, Nepal, and Kenya.

The Simple Church in Bossier City engages in evangelical mission trips to places like Honduras and Mexico. It also sponsors Christian-based social events for teenagers in grades nine through 12, offers church services for children up through the fifth grade, and provides counseling help for adults in addition to regular church services.

As you get a feel for things and gain more experience, you’ll be able to branch out into jobs in Christian leadership, taking on more responsibilities in roles that could include youth pastor or deacon.

Explore Ministry Jobs with One of Louisiana's Many Churches

  • Bethany World Prayer Center in Baker
  • Broadmoor Baptist Church in Shreveport
  • Celebration Church in Metairie
  • Church of the King in Mandeville
  • Crossroads Church in Lafayette
  • East Bayou Baptist Church in Lafayette
  • Family Worship Center in Baton Rouge
  • First Baptist Church in Bossier City
  • First Baptist Church in Covington
  • First Baptist Lafayette in Lafayette
  • First Baptist West Monroe in West Monroe
  • Franklin Avenue Baptist Church in New Orleans
  • Glad Tidings Assembly of God in Lake Charles
  • Greater Saint Stephen Full Gospel Baptist in New Orleans
  • Healing Place Church in Baton Rouge
  • Life Center Ministries in New Orleans
  • Living Faith Christian Center in Baton Rouge
  • Our Savior’s Church in Lafayette
  • Pentecostals of Alexandria in Alexandria
  • Saint Timothy Northshore United Methodist in Mandeville
  • The Pentecostals in West Monroe
  • The Simple Church in Bossier City
  • The Vineyard Church in Kenner
  • Victory Fellowship in Metairie
  • Word of Life Center in Shreveport

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

As you move up through mid-level jobs in your church, you’ll eventually find there’s something standing between you and those senior-level leadership roles: a Master of Divinity or other advanced degree.

Fulfilling the education requirement for ordination in some denominations, a Master of Divinity or similar graduate degree, prepares you for service as a pastor. And in that role you can make an important difference in the lives of your parishioners. An MDiv ensures you have both the scriptural knowledge and counseling skills it takes to assume the weight of this responsibility.

Offered online and from campus locations, you’ll find MDiv programs offer an exciting range of concentrations, including:

This period of study is an inspirational time where the big picture starts to come into focus. It’s an experience where you get to combine what you’ve learned engaging the community as you’ve worked your way up at your own parish with an advanced level of academic knowledge from an inspiring array of professors.

And the light at the end of the graduate school road is ordination. Once you’ve made it this far you’re likely qualified for senior ministry roles at your church.

It’s time to fulfill the call from God that you answered to become a minister!

Salary Expectations for Pastor Jobs in Louisiana

The US Bureau of Labor Statistics keeps track of salary data for pastors and other members of clergy around the country. It reports that the average salary for pastors in Louisiana was $49,590 in 2020. Pastors and other members of clergy in Louisiana at the height of their careers, earning within the top ten percent, made $71,970 that year.

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

The calling to become a pastor extends even further for some into the calling to become a church planter.

You know if you’re in this category, and at this point you’re nearly ready to take up this cross and answer the call.

But in the process of founding your own church make sure that you don’t overlook the important business-end of incorporating a non-profit.

This starts by filing paperwork at the state-level:

  • Choose a name for your church. You can search this directory to make sure your name isn’t already taken by another business in the state.
  • Next, you’ll need to draft Articles of Incorporation and appoint board members. Later you’ll file Articles of Incorporation with the IRS, so it’s a good idea to standardize your Articles to meet both state and federal requirements.
  • When you file your Articles of Incorporation, there’s an affidavit section that asks you to name a registered agent. This is the person who’s responsible for serving as the legal liaison between your church and the state. You can name yourself if you want.
  • Now you can submit your Articles of Incorporation to the Secretary of State in Baton Rouge. You can also submit them online. The filing fee is $75.
  • If your church is going to be using a professional solicitor to ask for donations then you need to register with the State Attorney General.

You also need to register your church as a federal 501(c)(3) nonprofit with the IRS. To do this you:

  • Apply for an Employer Identification Number (EIN) using an SS-4 Form.
  • Draft a Declaration of Trust. This is a document that describes what will happen to your church’s assets in the event of insolvency.
  • Submit a Form 1023 to the IRS ($275 fee); this is your official application for non-profit 501(c)(3) status. Include your Articles of Incorporation and your Declaration of Trust.

And that’s it! With the paperwork out of the way you’ll be glad to start concentrating on the hearts, minds, and spirits of your congregation.

Congratulations! Planting your own church is an inspiring prospect. You’ve got an exciting challenge ahead of you as you devote your life’s calling to the Lord.

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 March 2022.

Christian Colleges in Louisiana

Louisiana College School of Missions and Ministry

BA in Leadership (campus)

BA in Missions and Ministry (campus)

Online Christian Universities in Louisiana

New Orleans Baptist Theological Seminary Leavell College

BA in Theology (campus)
BA in Ministry to Women
(campus)
BA in Christian Ministry
(online, campus)
BA in Biblical Studies
(campus)
BA in Christian Worldview and Apologetics
(campus)
BA in Worship Ministry
(campus)
BA in Music with an Emphasis in Worship
(campus)
BA in Pastoral Ministry
(campus)
Master of Divinity
(online, campus)