When working in the church, there are many roles required to fulfill the ministry mission. The different roles require different giftings and sometimes different levels of involvement. Being a pastor, also known as an elder or presbyter in Greek, means carrying the responsibility for the church, knowing when to delegate, and caring for your congregation. Pastoral ministry comes with a cost, but those who choose this path are met with great rewards as well.
Continue reading to learn more.
The role of pastor, or elder, in the church varies for each denomination. They are responsible for the primary leadership and oversight of a church. This means they are responsible for both organizing the church in an administrative sense and they lead the church spiritually in worship and discipleship. While “pastor” is a vocational title elders can hold, “elder” refers to a clerical order. Pastor is one of the many roles an elder can pursue.
While pastor is the most common role elders hold, it is not the only one. Elders, who are responsible for ordering and teaching members of the church, can also hold vocations in chaplaincy, Christian education, denominational leadership, mission work and other similar roles. However, pastor is the most common vocation that elders hold.
The Bible refers to church leaders many times as an instrumental part of its overall being and existence. Peter and Paul are both excellent examples of early church leaders who were instrumental in organizing early churches. Pastors follow their example, and even more importantly the example of Christ, as they serve the church. The pastor of the church can also be referred to as the shepherd of the church or congregation.
Pastors shepherd their congregations through all seasons of life. They are responsible for marking the sacred holidays and seasons as well as commemorating important life transitions. As they mark the passage of time they also offer a number of other services to their congregation.
Pastors hold various roles in their church, including:
Arguably, the hardest yet most rewarding part of fulfilling the role of a pastor is the commitment to servant leadership and serving others.
It’s always best to first check with your church and its requirements; however, most denominations require a graduate ministry degree. Perkins School of Theology offers many degree programs, but we recommend that those who’d like to serve as the main leader or elder earn the Master of Divinity (M.Div.) degree.
The M.Div. is perfect for those who are longing to become a pastor or an ordained minister in The United Methodist Church or a church of a different Christian denomination and want to lead, teach, serve in Word and sacrament, preach and administer communion and guide your congregation. We are also proud to offer the M.Div. degree as a hybrid option as well as in-person.
In order to be accepted into the M.Div. program at Perkins, you’ll need:
Assessing where you stand and determining what kind of future you envision for yourself can help determine if becoming an elder is best for you.
Ask yourself:
Stepping back and asking yourself these questions can help determine if the M.Div. Pathway is right for you. And if you said yes to most or all of those questions, the M.Div. Degree at Perkins awaits you!
At Perkins School of Theology, we help our students to become the leaders of tomorrow. And you could be next!
We welcome you to join us and play an increasingly meaningful role in a community of lively dialogue that encourages deep thought and honest reflection. At Perkins, it is our expectation that you will graduate not only with a clearer understanding of yourself but also with a broader and more sympathetic understanding of the beliefs of others.
Leaders who are qualified to serve in the church can emerge in tensions and spaces that challenge you. At Perkins, we provide the challenge so that you can become a leader in a space that allows you to lead.
How can you discern your call with a theology or ministry degree?
If you have any questions, we encourage you to book a meeting with us.