Religious beliefs, be they Buddhist, Christian, Jewish, Moslem, or based on some other religion, are significant influences in the lives of millions of Americans and prompt many believers to participate in organizations that reinforce their faith. In the United States about 95 percent of all religious organization members are Christians. Protestants (52 percent) comprise the largest group but consist of many denominations such as Baptists, Lutherans, Methodists, and Presbyterians. The Christian Roman Catholic Church accounts for 37 percent of religious organization membership and is the single largest religious body in the United States. Other Christians belong to the Church of Jesus Christ of the Latter Day Saints (3 percent) and Eastern Orthodox sects (1 percent). Non-Christians account for the remaining 5 percent of religious organization members; four out of five are Jewish.
Clergy are religious and spiritual leaders, and teachers and interpreters of their traditions and faith. They organize and lead regular religious services on the Sabbath and on religious holidays, and conduct special wedding and funeral ceremonies upon request. They may lead worshipers in prayer, administer sacraments, deliver sermons, and read from sacred texts such as the Bible, Talmud, or Koran. When not conducting worship services, clergy organize, supervise, and lead religious education programs for their congregations. Clergy often visit the sick or bereaved to provide comfort, and counsel persons who are seeking religious or moral guidance, or who are troubled by family or personal problems. They also may work to expand the membership of their congregations and solicit donations to support its activities and facilities.
Clergy serving large congregations often share their duties with an associate or have more junior members of the clergy to assist them. They often spend considerable time on administrative duties. They oversee the management of buildings, order supplies, contract for services and repairs when necessary, and supervise the work of paid staff and volunteers. Clergy also work with committees and officials, elected by the congregation, who guide the management of the congregation's finances and real estate.
Working Conditions
Members of the clergy typically work long and irregular hours. Of those who served full-time as clergy, about one-third spent at least 60 hours a week on their duties. Although many of their activities are sedentary and intellectual in nature, they are frequently called upon at short notice to visit the sick, comfort the dying and their families, and provide counseling to those in need. Involvement in community, administrative, and educational activities may require clergy to work evenings, early mornings, holidays, and weekends.
Employment
In 1994, there were an estimated 300,000 Protestant ministers who served individual congregations. Thousands of others served without a regular congregation, or worked in closely related fields, such as chaplains in hospitals, the Armed Forces, universities, and correctional institutions. While there are numerous denominations, most ministers are employed by the five largest Protestant bodies-Baptist, Episcopalian, Lutheran, Methodist, and Presbyterian.
All cities and most towns in the United States have at least one Protestant church with a full-time minister. Although most ministers are located in urban areas, many serve two or more small congregations in less densely populated areas. Some small churches increasingly are employing part-time ministers who may be seminary students, retired ministers, or holders of secular jobs. Unpaid pastors serve other churches with meager funds. Some churches employ specially trained members of the laity to conduct non-liturgical functions.
There were approximately 51,000 Roman Catholic priests in 1994, about two-thirds of them diocesan priests, according to the Official Catholic Directory. There are priests in nearly every city and town and in many rural communities. The majority are in metropolitan areas, where most Catholics reside. Large numbers of priests are located in communities near Catholic educational and other institutions.
In 1994, there were approximately 1,800 Reform, 1,250 Conservative, 1,000 Orthodox, and 175 Reconstructionist rabbis. Although the majority served congregations, many rabbis functioned in other settings. Some taught in Jewish studies programs at colleges and universities. Others served as chaplains in the military services, in hospitals, in college settings, and other institutions, or in one of the many Jewish community service agencies.
Although rabbis serve Jewish communities throughout the Nation, they are concentrated in major metropolitan areas with large Jewish populations.
Training and Other Qualifications
Educational requirements for entry into the clergy vary greatly. About three out of four members of the clergy have completed at least a bachelor's degree. Many denominations require that clergy complete a bachelor's degree and a program of theological study; others will admit anyone who has been "called" it the vocation. Some sects do not allow women to become clergy. Those considering careers in the clergy should check with the religious leaders to verify specific entrance requirements.
Individuals considering a career in the clergy should realize they are choosing not only a career but a way of life. Religious leaders need to exude self-confidence and self motivation while remaining tolerant and able to listen to the needs of others. They should be capable of making difficult decisions, working under pressure, and living up to the moral standards set by the community.
Job Outlook
Competition is expected to continue for paid Protestant ministers due to slow growth of church membership and the large number of qualified candidates. Other opportunities are expected to be best for graduates of theologies schools. The amount of competition for paid positions will vary among denominations and geographic regions. Competition will still be strong for more responsible positions serving large, urban congregations. Relatively favorable prospects are expected for ministers in evangelical churches. Ministers willing to work part time or for smaller, rural congregations also should have relatively favorable opportunities. Most of the openings for ministers will arise from the need to replace retiree and, to a lesser extent, those who die or leave the ministry.
Employment alternatives for newly ordained Protestant ministers who are unable to find positions in parishes include working in youth counseling, family relations, and welfare organizations; teaching in religious educational institutions; and serving as chaplains in the Armed Forces, hospitals, universities, an correctional institutions.
The job outlook for Roman Catholic priests is expected to be very favorable. Many priests will be needed in the years ahead to provide for the spiritual, educational and social needs of the increasing number of Catholics. In recent years, the number of ordained priests has been insufficient to meet the needs of newly established parishes and other Catholic institutions, and to replace priests who retire, die, or leave the priest hood. This situation is likely to continue-even if the recent modest increase in seminary enrollments continues-as an increasing proportion of priests approach retirement age.
In response to the shortage of priests, certain traditions functions increasingly are being performed by permanent deacons and by teams of clergy and laity. Presently about 10,400 permanent deacons have been ordained to preach and perform liturgical functions such as baptisms, distributing Holy Communion, and reading the gospel at the mass. The only services a deacon cannot perform are saying mass and hearing confessions Teams of clergy and laity undertake non-liturgical functions such as hospital visits and religious teaching. Priests will continue to perform mass, administer sacraments, and hear confession, but may be less involved in teaching and administrative work.
Job opportunities for rabbis are expected to be generally available in the four major branches of Judaism. Present unmet needs for rabbis, together with the need to replace the many rabbis approaching retirement age, should ensure that the numbers of persons completing rabbinical training in the years ahead will encounter good job prospects. Since most rabbis prefer to serve in large, urban areas, employment opportunities generally are best in nonmetropolitan areas, particularly in smaller communities in the South, Midwest, and Northwest.
Graduates of Orthodox seminaries who seek pulpits should have good opportunities as growth in enrollments slows and as many graduates choose not to seek pulpits. Orthodox rabbis willing to work in small communities should have particularly good prospects.
Conservative and Reform rabbis are expected to have good employment opportunities throughout the country.
Reconstructionist rabbis are expected to have very good employment opportunities since membership is expanding rapidly.
Earnings
Salaries of Protestant clergy vary substantially, depending on age, experience, denomination, size and wealth of congregation, and geographic location. Based on limited information, the estimated average annual income of Protestant ministers was about 120,000 in 1993. Including benefits such as housing, insurance, and transportation, the average compensation was an estimated 140,000. In large, wealthier denominations, ministers often earned significantly higher salaries. Increasingly, ministers with modest salaries earn additional income from employment in secular occupations.
Roman Catholic diocesan priests' salaries vary from diocese to diocese. Based on limited information, salaries averaged about $9,000 in 1993. In addition to a salary, diocesan priests receive a package of benefits which may include a car allowance, free room and board in the parish rectory, health insurance, and a retirement plan. Including benefits, the total value of a priest's compensation package averaged about $29,000 a year in 1993.
Priests who do special work related to the church, such as teaching, usually receive a partial salary which is less than a lay person in the same position would receive. The difference between the usual salary for these jobs and the salary that the priest receives is called "contributed service." In some of these situations, housing and related expenses may be provided; in other cases, the priest must make his own arrangements. Some priests doing special work receive the same compensation that a lay person would receive.
Religious priests take a vow of poverty and are supported by their religious order. Any personal earnings are given to the order. Their vow of poverty is recognized by the Internal Revenue Service, which exempts them from paying federal income ax.
Based on limited information, annual average earnings of rabbis generally ranged from $38,000 to $62,000 in 1993, including benefits. Benefits may include housing, health insurance, and a retirement plan. Income varies widely, depending on the size and financial status of the congregation, as well as its denominational branch and geographic location. Rabbis may earn additional income from gifts or fees for officiating at ceremonies such as bar mitzvahs and weddings.
Related Occupations
None listed.
Related D.OJ. Jobs
These job titles are related to or more specific than the more general description above. They will help you identify job options you may not otherwise discover. These descriptions are in the current edition of the Dictionary of Occupational Titles and classified by numerical order.
120.107-010 CLERGY MEMBER
Sources of Additional Information
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. Prospective ministers also should contact the ordination supervision body of their particular denomination for information on special requirements for ordination.
Young men interested in entering the Roman Catholic priesthood should seek the guidance and counsel of their parish priests. For information regarding the different religious orders and the secular priesthood, as well as a list of the seminaries which prepare students for the priesthood, contact the diocesan director of vocations through the office of the local pastor or bishop.
Individuals seeking additional information about careers in the Catholic Ministry should contact their local diocese.
Persons who are interested in becoming rabbis should discuss their plans for a vocation with a practicing rabbi. Information on the work of rabbis and allied occupations can be obtained from:
- Rabbinical Council of America, New York, NY 10001. (Orthodox)
- The Jewish Theological Seminary of America, New York, NY 10027 (Conservative)
- Hebrew Union College-Jewish Institute of Religion, Cincinnati, OH 45220-2488. (Reform)
- Reconstructionist Rabbinical College, Wyncote, PA 19095
