Becoming a Pastor
by Henry Reyenga
Do you wonder what becoming a pastor includes? Are you called to ministry? Most Christian churches interchange the word minister and pastor. The pastor or minister is a volunteer, part-time, or full-time Christian leader called by God to serve a local church or community.
What are the steps in becoming a pastor in your church or community?
Becoming a Pastor – The Calling
First, are you a Christian called by God to lead others into a relationship with Jesus Christ? The disciples were called to ministry by Jesus himself. The Apostle Paul was on the road to Damascus when God abruptly called him to leadership.
As he neared Damascus on his journey, suddenly a light from
heaven flashed around him. 4 He fell to the ground and heard a voice say to him, “Saul, Saul, why do you persecute me?”
“Who are you, Lord?” Saul asked.
“I am Jesus, whom you are persecuting,” he replied. “Now get up and go into the city, and you will be told what you must do.” – Acts 9:3-6
Some Christians are called in their childhood. Others are called after a traumatic childhood where Jesus healed over time. Others are called later in life. Each calling is unique. The calling is the inner voice of God, audible or inaudible, that speaks to your heart. It gives you a certainty that you are called to serve the Lord as a pastor or minister. It is the Holy Spirit’s urgency that you can do no other.
The External Calling
So you are called? How are you going to respond to your calling? Some called leaders start serving at their local church. This serving is a good way to see the “external calling.” The external calling comes from your community of faith. Do others see you as a Christian leader? A pastor? A minister? Are you more and more living a life worthy of your calling?
1Timothy 3:8 Deacons (Ministers), likewise, are to be men worthy of respect, sincere, not indulging in much wine, and not pursuing dishonest gain.
Romans 16:1 I commend to you Phoebe, our sister, who is a minister of the church that is at Cenchreae,
The Apostle Paul commends Pheobe in that verse. Do others say to you, “Hey, have you thought about becoming a pastor in our church?”
This confirmation from others is the external call. Other believers or pastors see something in you that you already know is there.
Ministry Training
Becoming a pastor is a call that leads you to find the Christian Leaders Institute. Becoming a pastor can be done without ministry training, but those pastors or ministers who complete ministry training benefit greatly.
Two Personal Benefits:
You will become more confident.
Ministry training increases the confidence of your calling. You learn how to interpret the Bible more carefully. You learn how to serve people more effectively. You learn the skills of being a pastor while becoming a pastor!
You will be more competent.
Solid Biblical ministry training helps those who are serious about becoming a pastor. It tests your calling, educates you into the Christian faith and walk, and gives you skills to help you in ministry.
How can the Christian Leaders Institute help me in becoming a pastor?
Christian Leaders Institute (CLI) is an online ministry training school, which many would classify as a Bible School or Seminary. CLI has received a 4.9 rating on Facebook.
CLI offers over 100 free ministry training courses, which includes online lectures and quizzes. Tens of thousands of Christian leaders have completed courses at CLI. To join these graduates click on the link to start classes now.
Christian Leaders Institute offers many ministry training awards. You can also enroll in the Christian Leaders College (there is a low-cost fee for administration) if you want to get a bachelor’s degree. Partners like Ohio Christian University will accept the Christian Leaders College bachelor degree graduates into their programs. See agreement.
Debt Free Formal Training
At the Christian Leaders Institute, our goal is to keep you out of debt for formal ministry training. The ministry training courses are free. There are small administration fees for the credentials. With this opportunity, you can serve as a volunteer pastor or part-time pastor, no problem.
What about accreditation?
Christian Leaders College now has applicant status with the Association of Biblical Higher Education. This organization is connected with recognized status with the United States Department of Education. This new status benefits you if your passion for becoming a pastor includes studying the Bible at Christian Leaders Institute or College.
Becoming a Pastor – Christian Leaders Alliance License or Ordination
Christian Leaders College and Christian Leaders Institute are connected with the Christian Leaders Alliance. Now you can walk through your calling and preparation journey with a credible clergy track program the includes licensed or ordained clergy roles and status.
The Christian Leaders Alliance offers a licensed clergy track that many bi-vocational ministers find attractive. All licensed clergy programs are under 20 credit hours. This program is suited for busy Christian students with little time available to take courses that still want credible ministry training.
The other track is the ordination track. This ordination track is suited for those who want to work part-time or full time in ministry. Check out the Christian Leader Alliance for more information.

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