While no one can deny Washington State has plenty going for it (rugged beauty, a booming high-tech economy, a young workforce and, of course, Starbucks, to name just a few), a strong religious base isn’t among its countless accolades.
According to the Pew Research Center, about 61% of adults in Washington State identify as Christians, which places it among one of the least religious states in the U.S. Among Christians in the Evergreen State, about 40% are Protestant and about 17% are Catholic. There are also small pockets of Mormons and Jehovah’s Witnesses, which represent about 3% and 2% of the Christians here, respectively.
A large number of adults in Washington —about 32% —are referred to “religious nones” – those claiming no religious affiliation. And while there’s never one definitive reason behind a decline in religion and Christianity, a Gallup poll found that the answer may lie, in part, with the state’s growing number of young adult newcomers looking to settle here and take advantage of the strong economy.
Explore a Christian Ministry Degree – Request More Info Today!
A career in ministry may, at first, seem like a losing proposition in Washington State, but where there are challenges, there are beautiful opportunities to make a difference and encourage a new generation of Washingtonians to receive the Good News of Jesus Christ. This is your opportunity to use your love of Jesus Christ and your passion for spreading the Gospel to inspire the state’s younger generations.
Here are the steps you’ll want to take to fulfill your calling and learn how to become a pastor in Washington:
Steps to Become a Pastor in Washington
Step 1. Earn a Bachelor’s Degree in Christian Ministry, Pastoral Studies or Other Similar Major in Washington
A bachelor’s degree in an area like Christian leadership, religious studies, pastoral ministries, or Christian studies provides aspiring religious workers and church leaders with a foundation in the Scriptures and in the practical aspects of ministry.
You’ll study theology, history, and ministry as part of a four-year degree program, along with liberal arts courses like communications, business, and psychology. You’ll be well-prepared to assume church positions like Bible school teacher, deacon, youth pastor, and church administrator, and you’ll also have the skills and knowledge needed to work in ministries and outreach centers and serve as a vital member of church missions, both domestic or global.
Christian bachelor’s degrees also prepare students for further study at the graduate level through degree programs like the Master of Divinity (MDiv) and the Master of Theology.
Step 2. Look for Ministry Jobs and Gain Experience Serving the People and Churches of Washington
With a bachelor’s degree on your resume, you’re prepared to start serving others and doing good. In Washington, there are countless opportunities to begin your path in Christian ministry and assume exciting ministry jobs and church jobs.
For example, Victory Outreach, a Seattle-based, international Christian ministry, has been home to mission-focused ministries for more than 50 years. Work here includes church planting, church growth, and the establishment of cross-cultural churches across the globe.
Experience Mission in Port Hadlock is an organization that partners with churches around the world to organize and implement mission trips. Experience Mission has ministry partners in more than 25 countries.
Explore Ministry Jobs with One of Washington's Many Churches
Some of the most exciting church and ministry jobs in Washington are found through local churches. You can begin your career search by checking out opportunities available through some of the state’s biggest churches, which include Christ the King Community Church in Bellingham. This non-denominational megachurch is home to some 17,000 weekly visitors.
Others include:
- Bethany Community Church, Seattle
- Calvary Community Church, Sumner
- Calvary Fellowship Church, Terrace
- Canyon Hills Community Church, Bothell
- Cascade Community Church, Monroe
- Christian Faith Center, Seattle
- Church For All Nations, Tacoma
- Eastside Foursquare Church, Bothell
- First Presbyterian Church of Bellevue
- First Presbyterian Church, Spokane
- Gold Creek Community Church, Mill Creek
- Life Center, Tacoma
- New Heights Church, Vancouver
- New Life Church at Renton
- New Life Fellowship-Community Church of Seattle
- North County Christ the King Community Church, Lynden
- Northshore Baptist Church, Kirkland
- Overlake Christian Church, Redmond
- River of Life Fellowship, Kent
- Tabernacle Missionary Baptist Church, Seattle
- The City Church, Kirkland
- University Presbyterian Church, Seattle
- Walla Walla City Seventh-day Adventist Church
- Washington Cathedral, Redmond
- Westgate Chapel, Edmonds
- Westminster Chapel, Bellevue
Salary Expectations for Church Ministry Jobs in Washington
Religious workers in Washington earned an average salary of $41,630 as of May 2020, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS). The top earners here, which are likely those with extensive experience and/or those working in larger churches and ministries, earned salaries that were closer to the top 10%, which was $52,350 during this time.
Step 3. Earn a Master of Divinity (MDiv) or Similar Graduate Degree in Washington and Establish Your Role in Christian Leadership
A Christian graduate degree like the Master of Divinity (MDiv), the Master of Theology, and the MA in Ministry prepares students for leadership positions in faith-based settings and are usually a requirement to become ordained.
The Master of Divinity and similar degree programs are designed to teach students how to become a pastor, missionary, or other church leader through a theological-focused curriculum that includes study in the Scriptures, church history, theology, and ethics. Students of these programs learn more about the needs of the contemporary church as to serve as competent church leaders and ministers.
Many programs offer specialization options that allow students to better personalize their degree program to meet their personal interests and career goals. Just some of the specialization options often offered include missional church, biblical languages, urban ministry, and public theology.
Many are also offered in a convenient and flexible online format as to allow students to earn their graduate degree while also meeting their professional and personal obligations. Online ministry degrees like the Master of Divinity Online offer a partially or fully online curriculum that can be completed from a distance, and many offer on-campus immersion experiences that ensure a well-rounded, dynamic course of study.
Salary Expectations for Pastor Jobs in Washington
According to the BLS, clergy members in Washington earned an average salary of $64,910 as of May 2020 and a top salary of $86,430.
Directors of religious activities and education in Washington earned an average salary of $74,740, while those with extensive experience and/or those working in larger churches earned a salary that closely resembled the top 10%, which was $105,460.
Step 4. Consider Forming a Christian Ministry of Your Own in Washington
Your strong Christian background and passion for spreading the Gospel may inspire you to plant your own church. This truly life-changing endeavor requires equal parts passion and preparation, so in addition to your personal calling to ministry, you’ll need to ensure you meet all state and federal requirements associated with starting your own church.
In Washington, this means establishing a nonprofit organization with the Secretary of State. This process includes:
- Reserving a name for your church
- Preparing and filing Articles of Incorporation & Bylaws
- Registering with the Charities Division if you plan to solicit donations
At the federal level, you’ll need to obtain a Federal Employer Identification Number (FEIN) from the Internal Revenue Service (IRS). Once you have an FEIN, you’ll apply for a tax-exempt status through the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) by seeking status as a charitable organization under Section 501 (c)(3).
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.
Christian Colleges in Washington
Faith International University
BA in Religion (campus)
- Pastoral Ministry
- Missions and Evangelism
- Chaplaincy
- Christian Education
- Youth Ministry
- Church/Nonprofit Administration
Master of Divinity (campus)
- Pastoral Care and Counseling
- Missional Studies
- Church History
- Apologetics
- Leadership
- Expository Communication
- Education
- Youth MInistry
- Chaplaincy
MA in Leadership Ministry (campus)
MA in Christian Education (campus)
MA in Theological Studies (campus)
Seattle School of Theology and Psychology
Master of Divinity (campus)
MA in Theology and Culture (campus)
Seattle University College of Arts and Sciences
BA in Theology and Religious Studies (campus)
- Christian Theology
- Comparative Religion
Master of Divinity (campus)
- Chaplaincy
- Pastoral Leadership
- Transforming Spirituality
MA in Pastoral Studies (campus)
MA in Transformational Leadership (campus)
Online Christian Universities in Washington
Northwest University College of Ministry
BA in Biblical Literature (campus)
BA in Biblical Studies (campus)
BA in Church and Ministry Leadership (campus)
BA in General Ministries (campus)
BA in Pastoral Ministries (campus)
BA in Worship and Music Studies (campus)
BA in Youth, Children, and Family Ministries (campus)
BA in Ministry Leadership (online)
MA in Bible and Theology (online)
MA in Ministry Leadership (online)
Master in Ministry (online)
MA in Bible and Theology (online)
Major in Vocational Christian Ministry (campus)
Major in Vocational Youth and Family Ministry (campus)
MA in Biblical Studies (campus)
MA in Christian Ministry (campus)
MA in Family Life Ministry (campus)
