There’s a lot to unpack in New Hampshire’s motto, “Live Free or Die.”
During the Colonial era, Puritans left Europe to obtain religious freedom, and many found it in New Hampshire. Reverend Stephen Bachiler established the First Congregational Church of Hampton in 1683. Thus began the quest for religious freedom. Achieving it wasn’t easy.
Elias Smith, a Christian minister living in the state, witnessed this freedom come to fruition. In 1809, he reflected on the religious persecution pervasive throughout colonial New England. It was common for settlers to be “fined, whipped, imprisoned, banished, and hung for not worshipping according to the law of the state.” Since the Declaration of Independence, religious liberty had flourished, much to Smith’s happiness.
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Today, New Hampshire maintains its legacy of religious freedom through its state constitution. If you believe in God’s Word, nothing will stop you from spreading his love. This is the state where you’ll find ample opportunity to spread the Good News, welcoming people of all backgrounds into the church.
But where do you begin? What must you do to become a pastor or open up your own church in New Hampshire? We’ll outline the process step-by-step.
The steps in this simple guide will show you exactly how to become a pastor in New Hampshire.
Steps to Become a Pastor in New Hampshire
Step 1. Earn a Bachelor’s Degree in Christian Ministry, Pastoral Studies or Other Similar Major in New Hampshire
A degree in Christian ministry, pastoral studies, Biblical studies, or religious studies builds the foundation for a career serving the church. All share similar curricula, yet each has an individual focus that prepares you for a particular path.
A bachelor’s degree in Christian ministry focuses quite a bit on church administration and leadership. You’ll acquire extensive knowledge of Christian theology, exploring the acts of the Apostles and interpreting the Bible. The bulk of the curriculum will teach you how to run a church. What are the administrative responsibilities of a minister? How do you preach to best spread the message? In addition, you’ll gain accounting and financial skills necessary to keep a church running smoothly.
Pastoral studies is much like a Christian ministry degree, but with a deeper emphasis on providing pastoral care to individuals. You’ll find ways to connect lessons within the Bible to the issues people face every day – from caring to a sick parent to helping a young congregant deal with bullying.
Biblical studies, as you imagine, touches on everything within the Bible. You’ll learn the Old and New Testaments like the back of your hand. Some programs include courses in Biblical Hebrew and Greek, as well as the history of Biblical composition.
Obviously, the degree you choose should align with your passions. If any Christian-focused degree seems amenable to you, take a look at the messaging that resonates with New Hampshire’s people. According to Pew Research, 59 percent of Granite Staters identify as Christian. Twenty-six percent are Catholic, 13 percent are Evangelical Protestants, and 16 percent identify as Mainline Protestants.
If you’re a Catholic, and want to preach to your fellow congregants in New Hampshire, a degree in Biblical studies or pastoral studies would complement your path. Hearing confession and counseling members of the congregation are fundamental roles of a Catholic priest. In contrast, protestants would benefit more from a Christian ministry degree, given the focus on communal evangelism.
Step 2. Look for Ministry Jobs and Gain Experience Serving the People and Churches of New Hampshire
A bachelor’s degree in Christian ministry, pastoral studies, or Biblical studies will stand out to pastors and ministers looking for help. Your degree demonstrates your commitment to spreading the faith: This is a lifelong journey for you, not a weekend hobby.
When looking for a job in New Hampshire, remember that landing a position is a numbers game. The more positions you apply to, the better your chances of getting hired. Don’t get discouraged if you’re turned down. Move on to the next one. Here’s a list of job titles to which you should consider applying:
- Youth Pastor: As the title implies, you’ll be working with kids: getting them involved with youth volunteer programs, and counseling them through God’s Word.
- Administrator: If you’re an operations-focused person, this job is ideal for you. You’ll obtain a ground-up perspective on what it’s like to run a church.
- Worship Pastor: More of a part-time gig, but an opportunity to get your foot in the door. Worship pastors set up services: the topics covered during the service, the psalms congregants will sing, and the overall theme.
Explore Ministry Jobs with One of New Hampshire's Many Churches
Big churches need a lot of resources to run effectively. For example, megachurches not only employ multiple ministers and junior pastors, but also production staff, administrators, and other operations-focused employees. Two churches in particular are where you can begin your search:
- One Church: Averaging 2,100 attendees per service, One Church offers services in Manchester, Concord, and Bedford. Its core beliefs revolve around acceptance. “We accept you no matter who you are or where you’ve been. Our essential belief is that God loves all people.” Around this practice is a belief in the Holy Spirit, Word of God, Baptism, Salvation, and the Son of God.
- Bethany Church: With locations in Greenland, Raymond, and Kittery Point, Bethany Church offers online and in-person services. It stands as a “diverse group of people dedicated to following Jesus.” The church offers plenty of opportunities to serve through its congregation, whether through worship-focused events or community outreach.
Salary Expectations for Church Ministry Jobs in New Hampshire
For religious workers, it’s difficult to say exactly what they earn in New Hampshire. Nationwide, religious workers earn an average $40,070 per year. That’s enough to get by in many parts of the state, especially if you’re living up towards Conway.
Keep in mind that “Religious Workers” often include roles outside of church leadership: administrators, event planners, office workers and more. As you build experience and acquire more education, your pay will increase as well.
The important thing is to identify and act on opportunities throughout New Hampshire. How can you help your church grow? What are some unique, interesting ways you can engage communities from North Conway to Nashua? Don’t be afraid to bring these ideas to the table. Your pastor will value them.
Step 3. Earn a Master of Divinity (MDiv) or Similar Graduate Degree in New Hampshire and Establish Your Role in Christian Leadership
A Master of Divinity (MDiv) is a crucial part of anyone’s journey to becoming a minister. It’s an in-depth education of leading people through the Christian faith. Often requiring three to six years to complete, an MDiv curriculum includes:
- In-field missionary or related service work lasting up to a year.
- A residency at a local congregation. The minister will serve as your guide and mentor, educating you on everyday ministerial responsibilities.
- Obtaining a working knowledge of the New and Old Testaments, the Psalms and Proverbs.
- The practices of evangelism, and how to increase a church’s membership and reach.
- A history of Christianity, and its evolution into the 21st Century.
An MDiv isn’t your only option though. There are other master’s programs which prepare you for the life of a minister. For example, a Master of Transformative Ministry focuses on how to use the teachings of the Bible to change a person or community’s life for the better. Essential for anyone looking to enter the clergy, Master of Transformative Ministry students learn everything from church administration to chaplaincy; Biblical counseling to leading religious activities.
Salary Expectations for Pastor Jobs in New Hampshire
After obtaining your MDiv and becoming a lead pastor or minister, what could you expect to make in the Granite State? Clergy members in New Hampshire earn average $62,410 annually. That makes for a comfortable living, whether you’re in Manchester, Concord, or Keene.
As your experience and congregation grows, so too will your earnings. The most experienced ministers in New Hampshire (the top 10 percent), report earning upwards of $80,590 annually.
Step 4. Consider Forming a Christian Ministry of Your Own in New Hampshire
New Hampshire’s littered with small towns, many of which may not have access to religious services. Some Christians may have to travel as far as 30 minutes to get to a service. Especially if you’re in a place as rural as the White Mountains.
If you encounter one of these communities, you may decide to open up a church of your own. Good on you: it’s an exciting, noble endeavor! With this adventure comes some litigious and financial responsibilities. Don’t worry. We’ve broken it down into what it takes to get started in New Hampshire.
Set Up Your Church as a Nonprofit Corporation
In New Hampshire, most charities are incorporated under the state’s nonprofit corporation laws. Doing so is a three-step process.
- Obtain Your 501(c)(3) Status from the IRS: First, you’ll need to submit an application for an Employer Identification Number (EIN). The EIN allows you to submit tax documents and set up a post office box. After obtaining your EIN, you’ll submit Form 1023. That’s the application for your 501(c)(3) status. This designation exempts you from paying taxes as part of a religious nonprofit.
- File Your Articles of Incorporation with the State: Your Articles of Incorporation clarify the name of your church, the purpose of your church, how you’ll establish membership, and how you’ll disperse assets in the event of dissolution. You fill all of this out on Form NP-1, which you’ll send to the New Hampshire Secretary of State’s office. Other details such as your address and the names and addresses of church officers are included as well.
- File Form NHCT-11: Once you submit Form NP-1 to the Secretary of State, you can file form NHCT-11 with the Charitable Trusts Unit (CTU). You’ll submit details such as your corporation status, your IRS tax exemption, and a list of board members governing the church.
An important detail to note is that New Hampshire requires charities to implement conflict-of-interest policies. All officers and board members must disclose conflicts of interests regarding any transactions or relationships associated with the church. It’s basically a bulwark against corruption.
New Hampshire’s Charity Responsibilities
Once you register your church with the state, the work doesn’t end there. Every nonprofit corporation must file a Nonprofit Report every 5 years to the state of New Hampshire. The Nonprofit Report includes basic details such as your Federal EIN as well as:
- Board meeting minutes which disclose how charitable funds were allocated.
- The programs your church runs: How did you provide services? How many people benefited from those services? How much money was allocated to the program?
- Revenue and expenses, such as donations from individuals, revenue generated through a church program, as well as gross receipts from special fundraising events.
Get Insurance to Cover Property, Liability, and Employees
This protects you from any financial repercussions as a result of an accident. If a congregant slips and falls on your property, you’d assume no action would be taken against you. Unfortunately, that’s not always the case. That’s where the liability coverage comes into play: it ensures you won’t have to draw on funds that would be used on charity for civil defense.
In addition, insure all of your property from fire, flood (especially if you’re in the Merrimack Valley), and other natural disasters. This includes vehicles as well. Collision and comprehensive coverage are a must.
Spread the Good Word
And so begins your journey of service. You have a long, exciting road ahead of you. Arguably, there’s no better place to do it. New Hampshire is a Live-Free-or-Die place for a reason. Make the most of your liberty.
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.
