How To Write a Pastor Resume
Ministry-related resumes often look a bit different than secular ones. Providing a potential congregation or other hiring organization with your pastoral credentials and highlighting relevant experience is important. Ministry resumes can also include personal details that churches find important when seeking a pastor who is the right fit. Keep reading to discover actionable advice for creating a pastor resume that connects with congregations and helps you secure a pulpit.
1. Write a dynamic profile summarizing your experience
As a ministry professional, your resume profile should touch on three topics:
- Your experience related to the job
- Your pastoral education or certifications
- Relevant personal beliefs
For example, if you’re applying for a preaching position, you may want to highlight your public speaking experience and theology background. But if you’re applying for a teaching pastor position, you might want to include teaching and leadership experience and any teaching certificates you might have.
Senior-Level Profile Example
An ordained pastor with over 10 years of professional experience specializing in theology, pastoral care, public ministry, and spiritual guidance. A strong history of providing spiritual support and leadership to diverse communities. Adept at teaching biblical studies and leading initiatives to develop religious education programs for adults and children.
Entry-Level Profile Example
A recent graduate with a master’s degree in theology specializing in community outreach, spiritual development, youth ministry, and preaching. A proven track record of supporting volunteer and charity initiatives to aid the local community.
2. Add an accomplishment-driven professional experience section
Shine a light on your past ministry accomplishments with an easy-to-scan bulleted list. Be as specific as possible in this section, using numbers and details to create a complete picture of your value to a church or other ministry organization.
You might include figures about congregation growth, increased donations, or the expansion of church staff under your watch. Less experienced pastors might include details about volunteer work or specific results achieved during ministry internships.
Senior-Level Professional Experience Example
Senior Pastor
St. Margaret’s Methodist Church, New York, NY | May 2016 – present
- Serve as senior pastor for an Episcopal congregation with over 400 members, which includes conducting weekly religious services, selecting scripture readings, and delivering sermons to broaden understanding of biblical stories concerning daily life
- Provide pastoral care to the elderly population, perform funeral services, and deliver continued spiritual and emotional support to family members
- Oversee marriage ceremonies, provide pastoral counseling to couples, perform baptisms, and provide education on religious rites
Entry-Level Professional Experience Example
Ministry Volunteer
Teen Challenge, Boston, MA | May 2020 – present
- Provide youth ministry services to teenagers and adults suffering from behavioral and substance abuse issues
- Deliver pastoral counseling and teach Bible classes to facilitate the spiritual and personal growth of program members
- Coordinate with counselors, ministers, pastors, and volunteers to plan and execute events and community service initiatives
3. Include relevant education and certifications
Detail all post-secondary education, whether directly related to ministry or not. The work it takes to earn something like a Bachelor of Arts in Biology or a Master’s in Finance, not to mention the valuable information you learn in getting the degree, has a bearing on your ability to serve successfully as a pastor. However, ensure your ministry credentials stand out. Include Bible college or training, theology or divinity degrees, and relevant certificates such as a pastoral counseling certification.
Education
[Degree Name]
[School Name], [City, State Abbreviation] – [Graduation Month and Year]
Example:
Master of Divinity (M.Div.)
Temple University, Philadelphia, PA – September 2015
Certifications
Template:
[Certification Name], [Awarding Organization], [Completion Year]
Example:
Pastoral Counseling, Liberty University, 2016
4. List pertinent key skills and proficiencies
When you align your resume with a job posting, you increase your chances of moving forward in the hiring process. Church hiring committees or others may scan resumes as they sort through applicants, looking for critical key skills that match the position. Your resume’s relevant proficiencies should match your experience and the jobs you’re seeing. Still, some common key skills for pastors include:
| Key Skills and Proficiencies | |
|---|---|
| Biblical knowledge | Children’s ministry |
| Community outreach | Evangelism |
| Event management | Grief counseling |
| Leadership | Mediating |
| Mentoring | Pastoral counseling |
| Pastoral teaching | Preaching |
| Prayer | Public speaking |
| Resource management | Theology |
| Worship leading | Youth ministry |
How To Pick the Best Pastor Resume Template
Choose a pastor resume template that ensures your strengths stand out. For example, if you have decades of experience and plenty of accomplishments in ministry, select a template that places past work history and achievements front and center. Less experienced pastors may want to choose a template that allows education details and volunteer roles to shine. However, if you order the information on your resume, stick with a professional and easy-to-read template. Leave the fancy fonts and whimsical formatting to the church bulletin team.
Pastor Resume Templates and Examples
Years of Experience
- Entry-level
- Mid-Level
- Senior-Level
Donald Hopkins
(123) 456-7890
[email protected]
123 Your Street, Boston, MA 12345
Profile
A recent graduate with a master’s degree in theology, specializing in community outreach, spiritual development, youth ministry, and preaching. A proven track record of supporting volunteer and charity initiatives to aid the local community.
Professional Experience
Ministry Volunteer, Teen Challenge, Boston, MA
May 2020 – Present
- Provide youth ministry services to teenagers and adults suffering from behavioral and substance abuse issues
- Deliver pastoral counseling and teach Bible classes to facilitate the spiritual and personal growth of program members
- Coordinate with counselors, ministers, pastors, and volunteers to plan and execute events and community service initiatives
Volunteer, St. Mary’s Lutheran Congregation, Boston, MA
May 2018 – May 2020
- Supported the pastor in providing ministry services to the local congregation, including planning and managing church events to drive community engagement
- Interfaced with the local population and supported outreach initiatives to invite members of the community to join the congregation
- Coordinated with the congregation and minister to execute charity events, including food drives, Toys for Tots, and book fairs
Education
Master of Arts (M.A.) Theology
University of Boston, Boston, MA September 2019 – September 2021
Bachelor of Arts (M.A.) Religious Studies
University of Boston, Boston, MA September 2015 – May 2019
Key Skills
- Theology
- Public Ministry
- Pastoral Teaching
- Community Outreach
- Spiritual Development
- Youth Ministry
Raheem Thompson
(123) 456-7890
[email protected]
123 Your Street, Philadelphia, PA 12345
Profile
An empathetic Pastor with six years of professional experience, specializing in preaching, program management, pastoral counseling, and relationship building. A proven track record of delivering spiritual services and managing religious congregations. Adept at developing partnerships with local organizations to drive community engagement.
Professional Experience
Head Pastor, Center City Baptist Church, Philadelphia, PA
May 2018 – Present
- Serve as the primary preacher for church services, prepare sermons to enrich the spiritual life of parishioners, and draw parallels between biblical passages, world events, and everyday life to provide comfort and guidance to the congregation
- Deliver pastoral counseling to the congregation and external members of the local community, including adults, teenagers, children, families, and couples
- Build and develop relationships with community leaders and local non-profit organizations to execute charity events and religious outreach initiatives
Pastor, South Philly Baptist, Philadelphia, PA
September 2015 – May 2018
- Provided pastoral care and spiritual instruction to congregation members and taught weekly Bible courses to expand understanding of scripture
- Wrote and delivered sermons during religious events to provide spiritual guidance and support to the religious community
- Managed the operating budget for the church and allocated funds to provide relief for congregation members suffering from financial hardships or loss
Education
Master of Divinity (M.Div.)
Temple University, Philadelphia, PA September 2013 – September 2015
Bachelor of Arts (B.A.) Biblical Studies
Temple University, Philadelphia, PA September 2009 – May 2013
Key Skills
- Pastoral Care
- Community Engagement
- Preaching
- Pastoral Counseling
- Program Management
Danielle Tucker
(123) 456-7890
[email protected]
123 Your Street, New York, NY 12345
Profile
An ordained Pastor with 10+ years of professional experience, specializing in theology, pastoral care, public ministry, and spiritual guidance. A strong history in providing spiritual support and leadership to diverse communities. Adept at teaching Biblical studies and leading initiatives to develop religious education programs for adults and children.
Professional Experience
Senior Pastor, St. Margaret’s Methodist Church, New York, NY
May 2016 – Present
- Serve as senior pastor for an episcopal congregation with over 400 members, which includes conducting weekly religious services, selecting scripture readings, and delivering sermons to broaden understanding of biblical stories in relation to daily life
- Provide pastoral care to the elderly population, perform funeral services, and deliver continued spiritual and emotional support to family members
- Oversee marriage ceremonies, provide pastoral counseling to couples, perform baptisms, and provide education on religious rites
Pastor, St. Robert’s Methodist Congregation, New York, NY
September 2011 – May 2016
- Preached gospel and scripture during weekly worship, taught courses in Biblical studies and provided pastoral care to a congregation of 200
- Led a variety of outreach initiatives to build positive relationships and preach the word of God, including charity drives and global missionary efforts
- Delivered pastoral counseling and support to individuals and families and aided at-risk congregation members in obtaining spiritual, medical, and mental health resources
Education
Master of Arts (M.A.) Theology
Columbia University, New York, NY September 2009 – September 2011
Bachelor of Arts (B.A.) Theology
Columbia University, New York, NY September 2005 – May 2009
Key Skills
- Pastoral Counseling
- Program Development
- Community Leadership
- Preaching
- Missionary Efforts
Frequently Asked Questions: Pastor Resume Examples and Advice
What are common action verbs for pastor resumes?+
Congregations want to know their pastor is a leader who can act. To avoid being viewed as a passive pastoral candidate by hiring churches or other organizations, include powerful action verbs in your resume. When you start bullet points and sentences with these types of verbs, you paint a picture of someone who accomplishes things, which can help you stand out among other applicants. Start with the list below for inspiration as you craft your resume:
| Action Verbs | |
|---|---|
| Administer | Communicate |
| Comfort | Conduct |
| Counsel | Develop |
| Facilitate | Inspire |
| Interpret | Lead |
| Manage | Officiate |
| Oversee | Perform |
| Preach | Serve |
| Shepherd | Speak |
| Teach | Worship |
How do you align your resume with a pastoral job description?+
You wouldn’t step into the pulpit with a canned sermon that lacks any context or reference to what’s important in the lives of your congregants. Similarly, it’s best not to send a canned pastor resume when you apply for a job. Instead, take some time to review the job posting so you can customize your resume appropriately. Align your resume with the posting by including some of the keywords used by the hiring organization and ensuring your most relevant qualifications stand out.
With religious organizations hiring more than 25,000 clergy nationwide and many other organizations doing the same, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, the positions are out there. Knowing how to tweak your resume appropriately can help you land one.
What is the best pastor resume format?+
Most pastors will probably benefit from the tried-and-true reverse-chronological resume format. It includes your work experience from newest to oldest to tell a story about your history in the ministry. If you have many unique skills and knowledge to bring to a position, you can opt for a combination format that puts an equal emphasis on work history and skills.
Expert Advice: Include a cover letter with your resume
Also, a strong pastor cover letter tailored to the job listing can increase your chances of success. It provides a place for more personal details, such as information about your family, that might be pertinent to your ministry. Need inspiration before you write yours? Check out our pastor resume cover letter example.
