We are independent & ad-supported. We may earn a commission for purchases made through our links.
Advertiser Disclosure
Our website is an independent, advertising-supported platform. We provide our content free of charge to our readers, and to keep it that way, we rely on revenue generated through advertisements and affiliate partnerships. This means that when you click on certain links on our site and make a purchase, we may earn a commission. Learn more.
How We Make Money
We sustain our operations through affiliate commissions and advertising. If you click on an affiliate link and make a purchase, we may receive a commission from the merchant at no additional cost to you. We also display advertisements on our website, which help generate revenue to support our work and keep our content free for readers. Our editorial team operates independently of our advertising and affiliate partnerships to ensure that our content remains unbiased and focused on providing you with the best information and recommendations based on thorough research and honest evaluations. To remain transparent, we’ve provided a list of our current affiliate partners here.
Education

Our Promise to you

Founded in 2002, our company has been a trusted resource for readers seeking informative and engaging content. Our dedication to quality remains unwavering—and will never change. We follow a strict editorial policy, ensuring that our content is authored by highly qualified professionals and edited by subject matter experts. This guarantees that everything we publish is objective, accurate, and trustworthy.

Over the years, we've refined our approach to cover a wide range of topics, providing readers with reliable and practical advice to enhance their knowledge and skills. That's why millions of readers turn to us each year. Join us in celebrating the joy of learning, guided by standards you can trust.

How Do I Become a Youth Pastor?

By T. Davis
Updated: May 17, 2024
Views: 3,700
Share

A youth pastor is a person who teaches children about religion and spiritual growth. In addition to teaching, he or she might also be responsible for creating and organizing youth events in a religious setting. Although a formal education might not be required if you want to become a youth pastor, some churches might require you to obtain a bachelor’s degree in a ministry field or to attend special religious classes. While in school, you should apply for opportunities that will allow you to gain hands-on experience working with children in a church or another environment.

To become a youth pastor, it might be wise to obtain a bachelor’s degree in theology or divinity to better your chances of employment. The courses in these types of programs often provide you with knowledge about religious beliefs, religious history, mentoring skills and leadership skills. Some programs also offer the ability to take courses specializing in dealing with youth ministry. The admission requirements might vary based on the school and its policies.

As a youth pastor, it is important for you to enjoy working with and teaching children about religion. Often, a person who wants to become a youth pastor gains an interest in this career field by working with children at a local church. While studying for your college degree, you should work or volunteer at a church in your area to gain experience and inside knowledge on how a youth ministry works. This experience can be a nice addition to your résumé. You also could talk with a local youth pastor about his or her experiences or becoming your mentor.

A majority of youth pastors find employment in local churches after graduation. There are other organizations that also might hire youth pastors to work with their youths, such as nonprofit agencies, summer programs and foster care homes. Youth pastors who work in larger churches often work full-time hours, but some positions might be available on a part-time basis.

After you become a youth pastor, your job duties may vary based on the need of your employer. Youth pastors often work directly with children by teaching them about different religious topics. They might also provide counseling to children and their parents when children are having emotional or behavioral issues at home or at school. Other job duties that youth pastors might have include preaching sermons, leading committees and creating financial budgets for their youth ministries.

Share
WiseGeek is dedicated to providing accurate and trustworthy information. We carefully select reputable sources and employ a rigorous fact-checking process to maintain the highest standards. To learn more about our commitment to accuracy, read our editorial process.

Editors' Picks

Discussion Comments
Share
https://www.wisegeek.net/how-do-i-become-a-youth-pastor.htm
Copy this link
WiseGeek, in your inbox

Our latest articles, guides, and more, delivered daily.

WiseGeek, in your inbox

Our latest articles, guides, and more, delivered daily.