How to Become a Pastor in New York with a Master of Divinity

There’s a reason why the Statue of Liberty stands in New York. She’s a beacon to all those who search for religious freedom.

The Empire State exemplifies that idea: 60 percent of New York adults identify as Christians, 7 percent identify as Jewish, and 2 percent practice Islam. When people talk about how special New York is, they’re referring to the state’s diversity. There’s a place for everyone here: Catholics, Presbyterians, Non-denominational, Muslim, Buddhist – you name it, it’s here.

Between Manhattan and Saranac Lake, you’ll meet all types of people. Many of them are in need of a deeper connection to both spirit and community. Whether they’re struggling financially, emotionally, professionally, or otherwise. Following the teachings of Christ can bring peace to those suffering: loving thy neighbor, accepting the will of God, and spreading joy to the people around you.

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

Even if you have the panache for public speaking and have an earnest grasp of the Christian faith, there’s still quite a bit you’ve got to learn. Sure, you’ve read the Old Testament, but can you glean unique lessons from each book, chapter, and verse? Do you know how to apply the Psalms to guide those suffering?

That’s where a degree in Christian ministry, pastoral studies, or Biblical studies will come into play. These programs prepare those seeking a faith-driven career. Programs vary between schools, but in general, they provide instruction on preaching, counseling, church management, and missiology. Here are some of the classes you can expect to take:

Throughout your academic career, search for internships with local churches in your community. With diligence and hard work, these unpaid opportunities could lead to full-time positions.

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

Being a New Yorker, once you set your mind to something, you pursue it. If your end-goal is to be a pastor, then you need to seek jobs that sit underneath a minister. So, what are some titles you should look for on Indeed or Monster?

Worship Pastor: Usually a part-time gig, worship pastors conduct services in tandem with the head pastor. They choose Psalms to sing, passages to recite, and music to enliven the experience.
Youth Pastor: As you'd guess, youth pastors work with adolescents and children of all ages. You'll get them involved in community outreach programs, as well as consult individuals struggling with coming of age.
Associate Pastor: If you have a mind for operations, a job as an associate pastor would be a good fit for you. You'll not only deliver pastoral care to individuals, but also help the head minister run the day-to-day administration.
Chaplain: Do you enjoy showing individuals how to find peace through God's love? Chaplains provide comfort to those struggling with life's challenges – from financial burdens to suffering loved ones.

There are dozens of other positions that may be unique to specific churches. To find them, you need to reach out to as many congregations as possible.

Explore Ministry Jobs with One of New York's Many Churches

Where should you look for a job as a youth pastor, associate pastor, or other such position? Big churches need a lot of staff – not only on the worship side, but administrative as well. Check out the megachurches below to find open positions:

Abundant Life
Abyssinian Baptist Church
Bethany Baptist Church
Bethel Gospel Tabernacle
Calvary Baptist Church
Centro Cristiano Adonai
Christian Cultural Center
Eastern Hills Church
Elim International Fellowship
Emmanuel Baptist Church
Grace Community Church
Grace Fellowship Church
Greater Centennial
Highland Church
International Christian Center
Metro World Child
Northway Fellowship Church

Paul Community Baptist Church
Perfecting Faith Church
Redeemer Churches and Ministries
Revive Wesleyan
Smithtown Gospel Tabernacle
Tabernacle Church
The Brooklyn Tabernacle
The Chapel
The Concord Church
The Father’s House
The Greater Allen A.M.E. Cathedral of New York
The Korean Presbyterian Church of Queens
Thessalonia Worship Center
Times Square Church
Upper Room Christian World Center
Zion Dominion Global Ministries

Salary Expectations for Church Ministry Jobs in New York

In New York, religious workers earn an average $44,650 per year. More experienced workers bring in more: upwards of $72,600 annually. They say if you want to boost your income, a master’s degree is one of your best bets. Getting to the pulpit compels you to obtain a Master of Divinity (MDiv) or similar graduate degree.

New York: One of America’s Richest Centers of Christian History

As one of the United States’ largest and most diverse states, New York is home to an especially thriving Christian community in which all denominations, backgrounds, and beliefs are represented. The full spectrum of Christian denominations can be found across the state, including the Catholic Church, many denominations of Protestantism, and more. Further, New York features Christian communities of a wide variety of backgrounds, many of whom approach their religious practices with their own cultural traditions. This makes the state a wonderful choice for anyone looking to establish a career as a pastor, as there is a great breadth of opportunity available for you.

In fact, Christianity is a longtime part of New York’s history. New York was in fact founded by Dutch Calvinists who had migrated in the name of religious freedom. Since then, the state has seen numerous Christian movements, from the Great Awakenings of the eighteenth and nineteenth centuries to the rise of the Catholic Church with the arrival of many Catholic migrants in the 1800s. Institutions related to these major branches of Christianity continue to exist in New York City as well as the rest of the state. Indeed, learning about the history of Christianity in New York can be seen as a rich study of the evolution of American values and identities, and the endurance of these traditions is a testament to the power of belief.

The rich Christian history of New York is one of the many reasons it is an exceptional state to lay the groundwork for a career as a pastor. By becoming a Christian minister anywhere in the state, you’ll be contributing to the some of the longest standing faith based traditions of anywhere in the country, participating in its evolution while looking reverently back into its past.

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

An MDiv prepares you for life as a lead minister. These programs typically take three to six years to complete, with many including a residency with a ministry. The courses go several layers deeper than your undergrad program, covering:

While many lead ministers have their MDiv degrees, it’s not your only option for a master’s program. For example, those with an inclination toward evangelism may find a master’s in transformative ministry a better fit. This degree emphasizes Christ’s transformative effect on individuals and communities. It focuses on purging a person’s evil and setting them on a Christ-guided life.

A Master of Theology is another advanced degree you should consider. Many programs offer the same coverage as MDiv and rigorous analysis of ministerial practices. You’ll learn pastoral counseling and ethics, expository preaching, soteriology, trinitarianism (particularly relevant to New York’s Catholics), and other disciplines.

Salary Expectations for Pastor Jobs in New York

Pastors and other members of clergy in New York make a decent living. Across the state, pastors earn an average of $69,840 per year. The top 10 percent make $93,530 or more annually. But that doesn’t tell the whole story. Breaking earnings down by metropolitan area gives you a better idea of average earnings for pastors in the city, as well as in nonmetro areas and upstate in Rochester, Albany, Plattsburgh, and other areas:

Albany-Schenectady-Troy: $62,150 per year.
Binghamton: $48,420 per year.
Buffalo-Cheektowaga-Niagara Falls: $58,460 per year.
Capital/Northern New York nonmetropolitan area: $45,010 per year.
Elmira: $61,870 per year.
Kingston: $60,950 per year.
New York-Newark-Jersey City: $74,420 per year.
Rochester: $60,070 per year.
Southwest New York nonmetropolitan area: $51,740 per year.
Syracuse: $60,340 per year.
Utica-Rome: $57,410 per year.
Watertown-Fort Drum: $73,080 per year.

What about directors of religious services? These folks run the show, keeping the gears of a successful ministry turning in order to reach and serve as many people as possible. They may be ordained ministers or high-level administrative staff in charge of church operations. Directors of religious services earn an average of $68,880 per year – just a little less than pastors and other members of clergy, but a decent living nonetheless.

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

Whether it’s in Westchester, the Adirondacks, the City, or Long Island, starting a church in New York requires a lot of legal housekeeping. A lot of it may seem overwhelming, but don’t get discouraged. Attention to detail and legal counsel will remove much of the stress.

Starting a Religious Corporation in New York

It may be weird to think of your church as a religious “corporation,” but that’s how the state of New York defines your congregation. It’d do you well to incorporate your church. Incorporating protects you from any claims filed against the church. Basically, your personal assets, as well as the assets of anyone associated with your church, are exempt from any litigious proceedings.

Filing Your Certificate of Incorporation

One of many things that sets New York apart from other states is that churches file their articles of incorporation with the county in which they intend to hold services – not with the state. In New York, the articles of incorporation are called the “certificate of incorporation.” The certificate of incorporation contains the following information:

New York State’s Religious Corporations Law

Under the state’s Religious Corporations Law (RCL), any incorporated religious organization is subject to the “discipline, rules, and usages of the corporation and of its ecclesiastical governing body, to which the corporation is subject.”

What this means is that your church must operate according to the rules of your faith. For example, if you ran a Catholic church, and then sold the property, the sale must be approved by your bishop.

This is where legal counsel will be crucial. Take a look at the article pertaining to Protestant Episcopal parishes. You’ll see whole sections specifying how such organizations should meet for incorporation, execute trustee meetings, hold elections and so forth. Now, contrast those responsibilities with the article on Presbyterian churches. You’ll see that not all of the sections are the same. This is because denominations organize themselves differently.

Again, it may seem overwhelming, but the right legal counsel can assist you here. They’ll translate all the litigious language into plain English so you can get up and running. For now, check out Chapter 51 of the Religious Corporations Law. There, you’ll find guidance on incorporation for Epsicopal Parishes, Ruthenian Greek Catholic Churches, Presbyterian, Lutheran, Baptist, and other denominations.

Apply for a 501(c)(3) Status

Your 501(c)(3) status exempts you from paying federal taxes. Most religious organizations fall under this exemption under the Internal Revenue Code, so filing for this status isn’t mandatory. However, most tax advisors recommend doing so, because it gives you tangible proof of exemption.

To apply for a 501(c)(3) designation, you first have to obtain an Employer Identification Number. This allows you to open up a post office box and file documents with the IRS. Once you have your EIN, sit down with your tax advisor to fill out Form 1023. Submit this Form to the IRS, and you’ll obtain your tax-exempt status barring any issues.

Insure Your Assets and the Church Itself

Obtain policies that protect your church from legal action (liability insurance) and property damage. If you plan on owning vehicles, acquire an automotive policy as well – comprehensive coverage is recommended. It goes without saying, but you should also obtain commercial property insurance to protect your church from any accidents or natural disasters thrown its way.

Strengthen Faith in the Empire State

New York is one of the most diverse states in our union, both culturally and ethnically. It’s one of the many things that makes this state special.

Christianity is all about loving your neighbor, no matter where they’re from or who they worship. This is the essence of your mission, to cultivate this love throughout the Empire State.

You have what it takes, all you need to do is take the first step.

2022 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 July 2023.

Christian Colleges in New York

Christ the King Seminary

Master of Divinity (campus)

MA in Pastoral Leadership (campus)
MA in Theology (campus)

Colgate Rochester Crozer Divinity School

Master of Divinity (campus)
MA in Theological Studies (campus)
MA in Religious Studies (campus)

Fordham University

Major in Religious Studies (campus)
Major in Theology Religious Studies (campus)
MA in Christian Spirituality (campus)
MA in Pastoral Care (campus)
MA in Pastoral Mental Health Counseling (campus)
MA in Pastoral Studies (campus)
MA in Religious Education (campus)
MA in Catholic Theology (campus)

New York Theological Seminary

Master of Divinity (campus)
MA in Pastoral Care and Counseling - Buddhist track (campus)
MA in Religious Education - Youth Ministry concentration (campus)
MA in Transformational Leadership and Administration (campus)

Nyack College School of Bible and Christian Ministry

BA in Biblical and Theological Studies (campus)

BA in Interdisciplinary Studies (campus)

BS in Global Community Development (campus)

BS in Pastoral Ministry (campus)

Master of Divinity (campus)

MA in Biblical Literature
- Old Testament, New Testament (campus)
MA in Biblical Studies (campus)
MA in Intercultural Studies (campus)
Master of Professional Development (campus)

Saint Vladimirs Orthodox Theological Seminary

Master of Divinity (campus)
Master of Theology (campus)
MA (campus)

Online Christian Universities in New York

Northeastern University

Master of Divinity (online, campus)

MA in Theology and Social Justice (online, campus)
MA in Theological Studies (online, campus)
MA in Spiritual Formation (online, campus)
MA in Ministry Practice (online, campus)

St Bernard's School of Theology and Ministry

Master of Divinity (online, campus)
MA in Pastoral Studies (online, campus)
MA in Catholic Philosophy (online, campus)
A in Theological Studies (online, campus)

The General Theological Seminary

Master of Divinity (hybrid)

Master of Sacred Theology (hybrid)
MA in Spiritual Direction (hybrid)
MA in Ministry (hybrid)
MA (hybrid)

The Unification Theological Seminary

Master of Divinity (online, campus)
Master of Religious Education (online, campus)
MA in Religious Studies (online, campus)

Union Theological Seminary in the City of New York

Master of Divinity (online, campus)

Anglican Studies
Bible: New Testament
Bible: Old Testament
Bible: Cross-Testament
Buddhism & Interreligious Engagement
Buddhism & Interreligious Engagement/Chaplaincy
Chaplaincy
Church History/Historical Studies
Interreligious Engagement
Islam & Interreligious Engagement
Islam & Interreligious Engagement/Chaplaincy
Ministry & Social Work
Pastoral Ministry & Theology
Psychology & Religion
Religion & Black Experience
Religion & Society
Social Ethics
Theological Studies
Worship, Preaching and the Arts
Interdisciplinary Study
MDiv-MSW

Master of Sacred Theology (online, campus)
MA in Religion (online, campus)

FAQs

Is New York State a good place to become a pastor?

Yes – some would argue it is the best in the country. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, New York is the state with the highest level of employment for clergy in the United States, with 7,260 employment positions. This means that it is a fantastic choice if you are pursuing clerical work, offering opportunities in cities all over in a range of denominations. Those looking to start a long-term career as a Christian minister will do well to seek their first jobs in New York State.

Do I have to work in a lower-ranking church position in order to qualify for a pastor role?

Not necessarily. Work experience in a church setting can give you invaluable insight into the responsibilities of a pastor so that you can plot your career path with a thorough understanding of the job that lies ahead. Volunteering in churches can also be a great way to learn about how churches are run as organizations, the types of work they do, and what you could contribute to a faith-based community.

Is it easier to find work as a pastor with an MDiv?

Yes. While there are independent churches that don’t state outright that they require their ministers to hold a Master’s of Divinity, one can assume that it will be helpful in pursuing the career opportunities they’re looking for. Consider it from the church’s perspective: when considering applicants for the immense responsibilities of a pastor, they are looking for indicators of experience, knowledge, and commitment to the faith. There are few better benchmarks of this than holding an advanced degree. Your MDiv will easily assert that you bring these assets to the table, giving prospective employers assurance that you will thrive in a ministerial role.

Do I need to know my concentration at the outset of my MDiv program?

No. The first year of an MDiv program can be a great time to learn more about the scope of the belief system that interests you and find out which facets of the religion may be most interesting to you or most suited to your skills. You should not fret if you are entering your MDiv without having decided on your concentration, and you should commit to being open to the different educational paths available to you. That said, it can be helpful to enter your MDiv program with a sense of what you would like to study. You may select programs with concentration offerings that align with your particular area of interest, ensuring that you are at the best institution possible to pursue your goals. Still, some people need the educational experience of an MDiv to learn what they are best at and which of the many dimensions of Christianity they would like to make their focus.

Your Guide to Meeting the Qualifications of a Pastor in New York

Steps to Become a Pastor in New York