Your Guide to Meeting the Qualifications of a Pastor in Texas

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

A bachelor’s degree in an area like Christian leadership, religious studies, pastoral ministries, or Christian studies is where you’ll receive a solid foundation in the church and the Scriptures and gain a clear understanding of religion’s role in society and culture. Courses in these programs are focused on church history, theology, apologetics, philosophy, and more.

Christian undergraduate degrees also include courses in the humanities and the social sciences as to create well-rounded graduates who are able to serve as proficient and capable church leaders. Many of these programs offer a nice selection of electives that allow students to personalize their program and study areas of interest in more depth. Biblical history, youth pastoring, and biblical languages are just some of the options available in many programs.

A religious-based bachelor’s degree will also prepare you for future study at the graduate level, making it the ideal precursor to a Master of Divinity (MDiv) or similar degree.

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

With a Christian undergraduate degree, you’ll be prepared to take on any number of roles in your local church like liturgist, youth pastor, or church counselor and in outreach, ministry, and missionary programs.

In Texas, the need for competent church workers is always growing. For example, Texas Baptist Church includes no less than 5,300 affiliated Baptist churches throughout the state. Its New Start Team helps hundreds of new churches get up and running every year to reach communities with growing populations and increased diversity.

Texas Reach Out Ministries is another Christian organization where your education and passion for serving others are always valued. This Austin-based program offers safe housing, spiritual guidance, life skills, and employment assistance to previously incarcerated men and women.

Explore Ministry Jobs with One of Texas's Many Churches

It’s no secret that Texas is home to some of the biggest churches in the nation, which are often referred to as megachurches – active Protestant congregations that average more than 2,000 weekly attendees.

Among the largest is Lakewood Church in Houston, a non-denominational Christian church founded by Joel Osteen, largely seen as one of the most influential Christian leaders today. Lakewood Church is home to some 45,000 adult attendees who attend services and activities every week.

But Lakewood Church is far from being the only super-sized church in Texas. The following Texas megachurches also rank among the biggest in the country:

• Fellowship Church, Grapevine
• Gateway Church, Southlake
• Greater Cornerstone Baptist Church, San Antonio
• Prestonwood Baptist Church, Plano
• Second Baptist Church, Houston
• The Potter's House, Dallas
• Woodlands Church

Just a sampling of other large churches in Texas where you’ll find a plethora of church jobs, ministry jobs, and opportunities with outreach programs include: