Job opportunities as Protestant ministers should be best for graduates of theological schools. The degree of competition for positions will vary among denominations and geographic regions. For example, relatively favorable prospects are expected for ministers in evangelical churches. Competition, however, will be keen for responsible positions serving large, urban congregations. Ministers willing to work part time or for small, rural congregations should have better opportunities. Many job openings will stem from the need to replace ministers who retire, die, or leave the ministry.
For newly ordained Protestant ministers who are unable to find parish positions, employment alternatives include working in youth counseling, family relations, and social welfare organizations; teaching in religious educational institutions; or serving as chaplains in the Armed Forces, hospitals, universities, and correctional institutions.
Educational requirements for entry into the Protestant ministry vary greatly. Many denominations require, or at least strongly prefer, a bachelor's degree followed by study at a theological seminary. However, some denominations have no formal educational requirements, and others ordain persons having various types of training from Bible colleges or liberal arts colleges. Many denominations now allow women to be ordained, but some do not. Persons considering a career in the ministry should first verify the ministerial requirements with their particular denomination.
In general, each large denomination has its own schools of theology that reflect its particular doctrine, interests, and needs. However, many of these schools are open to students from other denominations. Several interdenominational schools associated with universities give both undergraduate and graduate training covering a wide range of theological points of view.
In 2002, the Association of Theological Schools in the United States and Canada accredited 216 Protestant denominational theological schools. These schools only admit students who have received a bachelor's degree or its equivalent from an accredited college. After college graduation, many denominations require a 3-year course of professional study in one of these accredited schools, or seminaries, for the degree of Master of Divinity.
The standard curriculum for accredited theological schools consists of four major categories: Biblical studies, church history, theology and ethics, and practical theology. Other subjects taught include sociology and anthropology, comparative religions, spiritual formation, religion and the arts, and speech, among others. Many accredited schools require that students work under the supervision of a faculty member or experienced minister. Some institutions offer Doctor of Ministry degrees to students who have completed additional study—usually 2 or more years—and served at least 2 years as a minister. Scholarships and loans often are available for students of theological institutions.
Persons who have denominational qualifications for the ministry usually are ordained after graduation from a seminary or after serving a probationary pastoral period. Denominations that do not require seminary training ordain clergy at various appointed times. Some churches ordain ministers with only a high school education.
Women and men entering the clergy often begin their careers as pastors of small congregations or as assistant pastors in large churches. Pastor positions in large metropolitan areas or in large congregations often require many years of experience.
.
Persons who are interested in entering the Protestant ministry should seek the counsel of a minister or church guidance worker. Theological schools can supply information on admission requirements. For information on special requirements for ordination, prospective ministers also should contact the ordination supervision body of their particular denomination.
A large number of Presbyterian congregations, however, remain outside the union. The church has continued to form other unions. The United Church of Canada is ecumenical in orientation and attempts to allow diversity among the different denominations. Also participating were a number of "local union churches" that had already been established in small towns in the rapidly developing Canadian west. About the United Church The United Church is a broad church with a range of congregations from moderately conservative to very liberal.
Summary of: http://www.answers.com/topic/united-church-of-canada
Likewise, as a candidate, you should make it your business to know the same about the person who will be presenting (and in some cases) representing your background to your future employer. Who IS this person on the other end of the phone. How many consultants/placements have you made. The services that ministers conduct differ among the numerous Protestant denominations and even among congregations within a denomination. Some small churches increasingly employ part-time ministers who are seminary students, retired ministers, or holders of secular jobs.
Summary of: http://w3.jobbank.ca/?snap=career_profiles&pg=1&id=201
Usage of the term ministry historically has been distinctive to Christianity, stemming from the Apostle Paul's self-identification as a minister (Rom. Others retain an internal focus on the needs of their own membership with more limited outreach activity. In socio-economically poorer congregations, ministerial tasks and responsibilities have been handled on a part-time or nonstipendiary basis, either by ordained or by lay individuals. Roles and Role Tension Ministerial roles have differed in emphasis across time and religious traditions. Such expectations have incurred tension as more women pursue careers or otherwise join the workforce.
Summary of: http://hirr.hartsem.edu/ency/Ministry.htm
Competition for positions will vary among denominations and geographic regions. The services that ministers conduct differ among the numerous Protestant denominations and even among congregations within a denomination. In many denominations, ministers follow a traditional order of worship; in others, they adapt the services to the needs of youth and other groups within the congregation. In some denominations, Bible readings by members of the congregation and individual testimonials constitute a large part of the service. Some ministers are responsible only to the congregation they serve, whereas others are assigned duties by elder ministers or by the bishops of the diocese they serve.
Summary of: http://www.bls.gov/oco/ocos061.htm
There are many Protestant denominations. The services that ministers conduct differ among denominations and also among congregations within a denomination. In some denominations, Bible reading by a member of the congregation and individual testimonials may constitute a large part of the service. Many denominations require-or at least strongly prefer-a college bachelor's degree followed by study at a theological school. In general, each large denomination has its own school or schools of theology that reflect its particular doctrine, interests, and needs.
Summary of: http://www2.jobtrak.com/help_manuals/outlook/ocos061.html
Thus all persons are considered to have inherent and equal worth, independent of their gender. This led naturally to an opposition to sexism, and an acceptance of female ministers. In 1660, Margaret Fell (1614 - 1702) published a famous pamphlet to justify equal roles for men and women in the denomination. She quit the church and later became a Unitarian. The UUA became the first large denomination to have a majority of female ministers.
Summary of: http://www.religioustolerance.org/femclrg13.htm
How I Would Choose a Church How I Would Choose a Church Occasionally I get email from people who want my advice about what church they should attend. The Pastoral Staff The pastor and any other ordained ministers on the pastoral staff received their ordination from someone outside their own congregation. The pastor and any other ordained ministers on the pastoral staff have post-graduate degrees from accredited seminaries whose degrees are acceptable to more than one denomination. Usually the person who handles the disbursements is called the treasurer, and the person who handles income is called the financial secretary or assistant treasurer. Affiliation The church belongs to a denomination or some sort of equivalent fellowship of congregations.
Summary of: http://www.kencollins.com/how-11.htm
Competition for positions is generally expected because of the large number of qualified candidates, but it will vary among denominations and geographic regions. Nature of the Work Protestant ministers lead their congregations in worship services and administer the various rites of the church, such as baptism, confirmation, and Holy Communion. In many denominations, ministers follow a traditional order of worship; in others, they adapt the services to the needs of youth and other groups within the congregation. In some denominations, Bible readings by members of the congregation and individual testimonials constitute a large part of the service. In general, each large denomination has its own schools of theology that reflect its particular doctrine, interests, and needs.
Summary of: http://guide.symplicity.com/resources/profession_article.php?id=90
Some ministers teach in seminaries, colleges and universities, and church-affiliated preparatory or high schools. The services that ministers conduct differ among Protestant denominations and also among congregations within a denomination. In many denominations, ministers follow a traditional order of worship; in others, they adapt the services to the needs of youth and other groups within the congregation. In some denominations, Bible reading by a member of the congregation and individual testimonials may constitute a large part of the service. Some small churches increasingly are employing part-time ministers who may be seminary students, retired ministers, or holders of secular jobs.
Summary of: http://www.edonline.com/collegecompass/oohb0075.htm