Pastor Resume Sample

There’s at least one church in almost every town in the United States, but that doesn’t mean it’s easy to get a job as a pastor. Serving as both a leader and advisor, congregations need someone with a diverse set of skills like managing, organizing, and counseling.

A desire to help people isn’t enough. You have to prove that you have the ability and experience to do it successfully as well. That’s why having a strong, well-written pastor resume is crucial when applying for positions with a new congregation.

Use these three tips when writing your pastor resume to give your application the best chance of success.

1. Highlight your pastor resume skills

When hiring a pastor to be a guiding force in peoples’ lives, employers want someone who avoids making mistakes. While “to err is human,” avoiding errors is not only achievable, but expected. Prove that you have those abilities with a strong resume skills section.

Here are some of the top pastor skills to include on your resume to prove you have what it takes to help your congregation grow and succeed:

• Public speaking
• Teaching
• Negotiation
• Persuasion
• Critical thinking
• Time management
• Problem-solving
• Management skills
• General computer skills
• Decision making
• Communication skills
• General people skills
• Counseling and therapy
• Coordination

Working as a pastor relies primarily on your soft skills. However, if you can add in a few hard skills to create a good mix, like project management software (Trello or Zoho, for instance), that only helps your application.

While there aren’t any certificates required for the job, most pastors have at least a bachelor’s degree — if not a master’s — in theology, philosophy, and/or religious studies. If you have any of those degrees, employers want to know about them, so make sure your resume education section is strong as well.

2. Tailor your pastor resume to the job post

Every congregation is different, which means every church’s needs are unique. If you use a general resume for each job application, then you’ll have a hard time proving that you can meet the specific needs of the employer.

But if you tailor your resume to each job posting, then you’ll impress the hiring manager. Adjust your resume to include information that directly addresses the requirements, preferences, and other qualifications laid out in the job description.

Also, cut information that isn’t relevant. If you have experience speaking in front of a microphone for an audience of thousands, that could be great for a megachurch, but isn’t necessarily helpful for a small congregation.

3. Pair your resume with a strong pastor cover letter

Working as a pastor is all about the personal commitment. While a few pastors are famously rich, for the most part, it’s all about connection and meaning. If you want to work in the church, show that helping people is your strongest motivation.

You can prove the strength of your convictions, and make your application stand out, by including a cover letter with your resume. When you know how to write a cover letter, you can use it to show why you care about the work and showcase times you’ve successfully helped members of your current or former congregation.

Always address the hiring manager by name, express your passion for the work, and prove that you’re the best person for the job. You can show you’re the ideal candidate by including your professional achievements, praise, and awards you’ve earned.