What steps are needed to become a pastor?

Identifying the Call to Ministry

One of the foundational steps for anyone aspiring to become a pastor is discerning an internal sense of calling. Many point to passages such as 1 Timothy 3:1, which states, “This is a trustworthy saying: If anyone aspires to be an overseer, he desires a noble task.” This indicates the legitimacy of seeking pastoral ministry with the right motivations. Carefully pray, read Scripture regularly, and seek counsel from mature believers to confirm and clarify this calling. In the early church’s structure, as indicated in Acts 14:23, leaders were appointed through prayer, fasting, and communal discernment. Similarly today, a communal confirmation helps safeguard personal bias and affirms one’s sense of call.

Meeting Biblical Qualifications

Scripture lays out specific qualifications for pastoral leadership. Chief among these are character traits and values:

• 1 Timothy 3:2–7 details that an overseer must be “above reproach, faithful to his wife, temperate, self-controlled, respectable, hospitable, able to teach…” and continues with requirements concerning personal conduct, family life, and spiritual maturity.

• Titus 1:7–9 echoes these standards, emphasizing that an overseer must hold “firmly to the trustworthy message as it has been taught, so that he can encourage others by sound teaching and refute those who oppose it.”

These passages emphasize the vital need for integrity, strong moral character, and the doctrinal clarity required to lead others faithfully. Candidates should engage in self-examination and accountability within their communities to confirm they align with these requirements before pursuing pastoral ministry formally.

Acquiring Necessary Training and Education

While there are accounts in Scripture of shepherds and fishermen who became church leaders, the pattern in the New Testament underscores the importance of learning from those already established in ministry (2 Timothy 2:2). In contemporary settings, formal education through Bible colleges or seminaries is often encouraged to gain a deeper understanding of Scripture, theology, hermeneutics, and pastoral care.

Faith traditions vary on educational requirements. Some denominations require a formal seminary degree (Master of Divinity or similar), while others accept a certificate program or structured mentorship. Regardless, robust preparation includes:

• Systematic theology studies that unify Scriptural teaching and equip one to address doctrinal questions.

• Exposure to church history, which can include archaeological corroborations (such as accounts from early church sites discovered in regions like Turkey, affirming the worship patterns of the first believers).

• Language training in biblical Hebrew and Greek, aided by the reliability of manuscript evidence—from the Dead Sea Scrolls to manuscripts such as Codex Sinaiticus—which preserves consistency in the biblical text.

• Practical training in counseling, preaching, and leadership that reflects examples of early Christian assembly organization and pastoral oversight in the New Testament.

Gaining Practical Ministry Experience

Serving in one’s local congregation and learning under experienced pastors is another crucial step. Scripture highlights apprenticeship-like relationships (e.g., Timothy learning from Paul). Consider opportunities such as:

• Volunteer ministry work: Helping with youth groups, music teams, or community outreach.

• Internships or pastoral assistant roles: Observing pastoral duties like sermon preparation, officiating ordinances (baptism, communion), and pastoral visitation.

• Mentoring relationships: Just as Timothy walked closely with Paul (1 Timothy 1:2), seeking a mentor who can impart wisdom is invaluable.

These experiences help one develop necessary practical skills and confirm the calling through hands-on service.

Undergoing Examination and Ordination

Pastoral ordination typically involves a formal process within a local church or denominational body. This often includes a doctrinal examination, where candidates articulate key beliefs about salvation, the deity of Christ, resurrection, the Holy Spirit, and other essential doctrines. Spiritual leaders in the church assess teaching ability, biblical knowledge, moral character, and calling. This mirrors the early church’s practice of laying on of hands to set individuals apart for special service (Acts 13:3).

In many circles, the process culminates in an ordination service. During this ceremony, seasoned elders, deacons, or other pastors publicly commission and pray over the candidate, marking the beginning of formal pastoral ministry in the congregation or broader fellowship.

Maintaining Spiritual Accountability

James 3:1 reminds prospective pastors: “Not many of you should become teachers, my brothers, because you know that we who teach will be judged more strictly.” With this solemn responsibility, safeguards in personal and public life are essential:

• Regular accountability meetings with fellow leaders or mature believers help a pastor remain spiritually healthy.

• Continual prayer (Ephesians 6:18) and devotion to Scripture study (2 Timothy 2:15) guard a pastor’s heart and ensure the Word is handled carefully.

• Commitment to moral clarity, acknowledging that leading God’s people demands an example consistent with biblical expectations.

Engaging in Continuous Growth

Pastoral ministry is not a static role. It requires lifelong learning, diligence, and openness to correction. Ongoing spiritual formation includes personal retreats, further theological study, reading historical and contemporary works on ministry, and fellowship with pastors from various backgrounds. As Ephesians 4:11–12 underscores, leaders equip others “for works of service, so that the body of Christ may be built up,” and in turn, pastors benefit from the sharpening effect of mutually edifying relationships within the wider church community.

Fulfilling the Purpose of Shepherding

While technical qualifications and educational achievements are important, embodying the pastoral role fundamentally involves shepherding God’s people. 1 Peter 5:1–4 calls overseers to “shepherd the flock of God among you, watching over them… not under compulsion but willingly, as God would have you…” A pastor cares spiritually for the congregation, proclaims the Word faithfully, administers ordinances, counsels, and models Christ’s love.

In every aspect of pastoral ministry, glorifying God and confirming the truth of Scripture remain paramount. Historical sources—from the earliest manuscript evidence to present-day archaeological discoveries that affirm biblical people, places, and practices—further strengthen the faith upon which ministry stands. Whether preaching sermons informed by robust evidence for the resurrection or demonstrating the love of Christ through humble acts of service, a pastor’s life and message echo the timeless truth of the gospel.

Conclusion

Aspiring pastors pursue a path marked by prayerful discernment, tested character, diligent study, spiritual mentorship, and mutual accountability. As individuals sense a divine call, align with biblical qualifications, receive formal or informal training, practice pastoral care, and submit to a process of examination and ordination, they step into a sacred responsibility. Ultimately, these steps serve the chief goal of ministry: to shepherd the flock, proclaim the truth of Scripture, and glorify God in all things.