Ministry-related resumes often look 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 significant 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.
Most Popular Pastor Resumes
Student Pastor Resume
Why This Resume Is a Great Example
Donald’s resume highlights his recent educational achievements and experience in youth ministry and community outreach. His work with Teen Challenge and St. Mary’s demonstrates his commitment to aiding those in need and facilitating personal growth through faith-based programs.
Key Tip: Volunteer roles can be just as impactful as professional ones. Learn more about how to showcase these in how to put volunteer work on a resume.
Pastor Resume
Why This Resume Is a Great Example
Raheem’s resume demonstrates his ability to manage church operations while providing pastoral care and spiritual leadership. His focus on community engagement and charity work shows his dedication to building strong relationships within his congregation.
Key Tip: Highlight your leadership role in building partnerships with community organizations. Learn more about resume summary examples.
Senior Pastor Resume
Why This Resume Is a Great Example
Danielle’s resume highlights her leadership in religious communities, showcasing her ability to oversee large congregations and implement education programs. Her dedication to pastoral care, including counseling for at-risk individuals, demonstrates her commitment to her faith and community.
Key Tip: Include examples of community outreach to showcase your impact. Learn more about how to list relevant coursework on resumes.
Worship Pastor Resume
Why This Resume Is a Great Example
Ethan’s resume emphasizes his dual focus on music and ministry. His leadership in fostering spiritual growth through music and mentoring worship teams makes him an excellent candidate for a worship pastor role.
Key Tip: Highlight both musical and ministry-related skills for worship positions. Learn more about how to make a resume.
Youth Pastor Resume
Why This Resume Is a Great Example
Jacob’s resume showcases his dedication to empowering and mentoring youth through ministry. His ability to organize large events and foster individual relationships with teenagers highlights his well-rounded approach to youth leadership.
Key Tip: Showcase event planning and mentorship examples to demonstrate your impact on youth. Learn more about how to make a resume.
Southern Baptist Pastor Resume
Why This Resume Is a Great Example
Nathaniel’s resume emphasizes his deep commitment to Biblical teaching and community outreach, which aligns with the mission of Southern Baptist churches. His leadership in mission planning and congregational care makes him a valuable candidate for senior pastoral roles.
Key Tip: Tailor your resume to the denomination’s values and focus areas. Learn more in resume outline examples.
Assistant Baptist Pastor Resume
Why This Resume Is a Great Example
Sophia’s resume demonstrates her ability to handle diverse responsibilities, from organizing events to mentoring congregants. Her collaborative work with senior pastors and focus on community engagement highlight her suitability for assistant pastor roles.
Key Tip: Highlight your support role in leading programs and managing teams. Learn more about resume skills.
Missionary Pastor Resume
Why This Resume Is a Great Example
Benjamin’s resume showcases his passion for global ministry and ability to adapt to different cultural contexts. His leadership in mission trips and partnerships with local churches makes him a valuable candidate for missionary roles.
Key Tip: Highlight international experience and adaptability for global ministry roles. Learn more in resume objective examples.
Children's Pastor Resume
Why This Resume Is a Great Example
Why This Resume Is a Great Example Grace’s resume highlights her ability to connect with children and lead impactful ministry programs. Her experience managing volunteers and creating engaging curricula demonstrates her leadership and creativity.
Key Tip: Tailor your resume to highlight specific age groups or ministry focuses. Learn more in resume outline examples.
Lead Pastor Resume
Why This Resume Is a Great Example
Michael’s resume emphasizes his leadership in growing congregations and mentoring church staff. His experience managing strategic initiatives highlights his suitability for senior pastoral roles.
Key Tip: Include measurable results, like growth percentages, to demonstrate leadership impact. Learn more in how to make a resume.
Small Group Pastor Resume
Why This Resume Is a Great Example
Rachel’s resume highlights her ability to build strong small group programs that enhance community within the church. Her focus on leadership development and event coordination makes her a valuable addition to any ministry team.
Key Tip: Highlight your success in creating programs that foster engagement. Learn more in resume skills.
Discipleship Pastor Resume
Why This Resume Is a Great Example
David’s resume highlights his experience in building discipleship programs and mentoring leaders. His focus on spiritual growth initiatives and curriculum development shows his dedication to nurturing faith within the congregation.
Key Tip: Include specific examples of discipleship initiatives you’ve developed. Learn more in resume summary examples.
Teaching Pastor Resume
Why This Resume Is a Great Example
Emily’s resume emphasizes her expertise in teaching and theological research. Her ability to train leaders and craft impactful sermons demonstrates her value as a teaching pastor.
Key Tip: Focus on public speaking and theological research for teaching-focused roles. Learn more about resume skills.
Executive Pastor Resume
Why This Resume Is a Great Example
Mark’s resume emphasizes his ability to manage the operational aspects of a church while supporting ministry growth. His budgeting and strategic planning expertise highlights his leadership in maximizing resources for church success.
Key Tip: For administrative roles, include budget management and measurable growth achievements. Learn more about resume skills.
Campus Pastor Resume
Why This Resume Is a Great Example
Hannah’s resume highlights her ability to lead satellite church campuses while staying aligned with the larger ministry's vision. Her focus on outreach and team leadership demonstrates her suitability for campus-focused roles.
Key Tip: Tailor your resume to emphasize alignment with central ministry goals. Learn more in resume outline examples.
Recovery Pastor Resume
Why This Resume Is a Great Example
Joshua’s resume highlights his expertise in addiction recovery and his ability to provide compassionate pastoral care. His leadership in program development demonstrates his commitment to fostering healing within his community.
Key Tip: Highlight any counseling credentials for recovery-focused roles. Learn more in resume objective examples.
Outreach Pastor Resume
Why This Resume Is a Great Example
Emily’s resume highlights her passion for outreach and her ability to build strong community relationships. Her leadership in managing volunteers and executing large-scale service initiatives shows her impact on the community.
Key Tip: Include examples of partnerships and measurable program outcomes. Learn more about how to put volunteer work on a resume.
Marriage and Family Pastor Resume
Why This Resume Is a Great Example
Sophia’s resume demonstrates her deep commitment to supporting couples and families through ministry. Her experience in creating workshops and fostering family relationships highlights her specialized skills.
Key Tip: For counseling roles, highlight specific program types and measurable success. Learn more about resume skills.
Worship Leader Resume
Why This Resume Is a Great Example
Olivia’s resume highlights her expertise in leading worship and mentoring teams, showcasing her ability to create inspiring and cohesive worship experiences. Her collaboration with pastors and alignment of music with sermons adds value to her role.
Key Tip: Tailor your resume to emphasize leadership in team management and musical proficiency. Learn more about resume skills.
Outreach and Missions Pastor Resume
Why This Resume Is a Great Example
Nathan’s resume emphasizes his leadership in organizing impactful outreach and mission efforts. His ability to coordinate large-scale programs and mentor volunteers showcases his dedication to serving others through faith.
Key Tip: Highlight your ability to manage both local and global missions. Learn more in resume outline examples.
Spiritual Formation Pastor Resume
Why This Resume Is a Great Example
Rachel’s resume showcases her commitment to fostering spiritual growth through discipleship programs and retreats. Her mentoring of small group leaders highlights her ability to develop strong ministry teams.
Key Tip: Include examples of programs or events you’ve created to demonstrate your leadership. Learn more in resume summary examples.
Prayer Pastor Resume
Why This Resume Is a Great Example
Michael’s resume highlights his expertise in leading prayer ministries and fostering a culture of spiritual growth. His ability to plan impactful prayer events showcases his leadership in creating opportunities for deeper connection with faith.
Key Tip: For prayer-focused roles, emphasize leadership in spiritual and intercessory ministries. Learn more in resume objective examples.
Bible Study Pastor Resume
Why This Resume Is a Great Example
Hannah’s resume demonstrates her expertise in teaching scripture and leading Bible study programs. Her mentorship of small group leaders and curriculum creation highlights her leadership skills.
Key Tip: For teaching-focused roles, emphasize curriculum creation and group facilitation. Learn more about how to make a resume.
Care Pastor Resume
Why This Resume Is a Great Example
Benjamin’s resume emphasizes his strong pastoral care abilities, particularly in providing emotional and spiritual support during crises. His leadership in benevolence programs showcases his dedication to serving his community.
Key Tip: Highlight how you’ve supported congregants during difficult times to demonstrate your impact. Learn more in resume outline examples.
Young Adult Pastor Resume
Why This Resume Is a Great Example
Megan’s resume highlights her ability to connect with young adults through personalized mentorship and engaging ministry programs. Her success in fostering community through events and small groups demonstrates her strong leadership skills.
Key Tip: Showcase examples of age-specific ministry programs to demonstrate your focus on a particular demographic. Learn more in resume summary examples.
Our templates are crafted by professional resume writers to make creating your resume quick, easy, and effective.
- Professional resume template downloads
- Customized cover letter generation
- AI resume writing support
- Career-building resources and advice
Pastor Text-Only Resume Templates and Examples
How To Write a Pastor Resume
“Being a pastor is not just a job; it’s a sacred calling to uplift hearts, ignite spirits, and walk alongside others on their journey of faith and growth,” says expert recruiter Ernestine Council.
1. Craft an outstanding profile with a summary of your pastor qualifications
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. Showcase your pastor experience
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. Outline your education and pastor-related 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
Template
- [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. Include a list of skills and proficiencies related to pastors
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 see. Still, some common vital 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.
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 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.
How many pages should my pastor resume be?-
Generally, a pastor resume should be one page for candidates with fewer than 10 years of experience. A two-page resume is acceptable if you’re a seasoned professional with extensive accomplishments—but only if it provides meaningful details that strengthen your application. Tailor your content to the job, focusing on your most relevant qualifications.
Work history should typically cover the last 10 to 15 years. Older positions can be excluded or briefly summarized unless they’re highly relevant. A concise, focused resume demonstrates your ability to prioritize and communicate effectively.
Craft your perfect resume in minutes
Get 2x more interviews with Resume Builder. Access Pro Plan features for a limited time!
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.
