Clergy Members conduct or assist in conducting religious services and perform other spiritual functions related to the beliefs and practices of a religious faith or denomination.

NATURE OF THE OCCUPATION

Clergy may:

Study and interpret religious law and tradition

Prepare and deliver sermons and public speeches

Perform marriages, conduct funerals, and administer sacred rites

Foster an individual's spiritual life

Counsel those in need and help individuals plan their lives

Visit the sick and comfort people in times of sorrow

Direct religious education programs

Help plan other church activities

Solicit funds and organize fund drives

Take part in community activities sponsored by or related to the interest of the congregation

Some Clergy teach in seminaries, colleges, and universities.

Some Clergy may be involved with administrative as well as religious duties.

OCCUPATIONAL SPECIALTIES

Most Clergy members in the United States may be divided into 3 major religious groups: Roman Catholic Priests, Protestant Ministers, and Jewish Rabbis. Specialties for this MOIScript may include:

120.107-010 CLERGY MEMBERS conduct or assist in conducting religious services and perform other spiritual functions related to the beliefs and practices of a religious faith or denomination.

120.107-010 ROMAN CATHOLIC PRIESTS may be Diocesan Secular Priests, who serve people in local parishes and conduct worship services and perform all the duties of a paster. Religious Priests, are members of religious orders within the Roman Catholic Church, such as the Jesuit, Franciscan, Dominican Orders, and Venetians. Religious Priests work as members of a religious community. They provide medical care, teach, do missionary work, or perform specialized tasks chosen by them and approved by the superior of the order to which they belong.

120.107-010 PROTESTANT MINISTERS, also called Pastors, reverends, or preachers, are Clergy of the various Protestant denominations. The five largest are: Baptist, Methodist, Lutheran, Presbyterian, and Episcopalian.

120.107-010 RABBIS serve as Clergy for Orthodox, Conservative, Reform, or Reconstructionist Jewish congregations. The four branches differ mainly in the degree to which they follow traditional forms of worship. Therthodox branch is the most traditional of the four. A fifth and relatively new branch, is Humanistic Judaism. There are many other clergy members whose title/duties vary according to their particular religious affiliation.

In addition to learning about these specialties, you may also find it helpful to explore the following MOIScripts:

WORKING CONDITIONS AND REQUIREMENTS

Working conditions for members of the clergy depend on the type of work they do. Most Clergy work under little supervision and plan their schedules according to the needs of their congregations. Some serve large congregations that may be more structured. Clergy members serving large congregations may work as, or with assistants. Clergy who teach generally work under a limited amount of supervision. Those private organizations may be supervised by others or may supervise others.

Physical surroundings vary widely. Clergy members may serve large congregations housed in well-equipped buildings or may serve very small or new congregations housed in limited facilities. In rural areas, Clergy members may serve two or more congregations. Some of their time is spent in quiet studies, offices, or libraries to prepare sermons or public speeches. Also, they may visit people in their homes, hospitals, prisons, and various other places where conditions may be depressing. In emergencies, Clergy may be required to go out during all kinds of weather. They may work in the country, suburbs, and cities as well as undeveloped areas of foreign countries.

Clergy members may work long and irregular schedules. Pastors, ministers, and rabbis may be called at any time of the day or night to respond to situations such as medical emergencies or personal problems. They may be called back from vacations and holidays. Work weeks of 50 to 80 hours are not uncommon. Clergy who work for governmental institutions, private organizations, or educational institutions may have more regular schedules. Seasonal peaks in the workload for Clergy occur during the holy days of each religion. Some Clergy members are reassigned by a central body to a new congregation every few years.

You Should Prefer:

• Activities which are religious

• Activities which require you to be committed to your beliefs

• Activities which require you to be loyal, dedicated, and sincere

• Activities involving working with and teaching people

• Activities which deal with people in times of joy and sorrow

You Should Be Able To:

• Understand the meanings and relationships of words

• Communicate your ideas to people orally and in writing

• Listen to people with interest and concern

• Plan, direct, and control activities that affect many people

• Make decisions based on personal judgment

Math Problem You Should Be Able to Solve:

You are teaching a bible study and you are covering the new testament. Create a time line covering the new testament in ten year intervals to further explain this time period.

Reading Example You Should Be Able to Read and Comprehend:

May need to read and understand terminology in scripture from the Bible.

"Then Boaz announced to the elders and all the people, "Today you are witnesses that I have bought from Naomi all the property of Elimelech, Kilion, and Mahlon."

Writing Example You Should Be Able to Produce:

Prepare a sermon explaining Luke 6.

Thinking Skill You Should Be Able to Demonstrate:

You need to be able to relate to the emotions and feelings of the individuals of the church by thinking of the best way to express the ideas and concepts of your religion.

Ordination is usually required before being allowed to become a practicing Clergy Member. Some religions demand that Clergy Members have few personal possessions and that they live in poverty. Depending upon denomination, some Clergy promise celibacy and do not marry. Experience as an assistant may be required before being allowed to take charge of a congregation. Clergy members are expected to be models of moral and ethical conduct.

EDUCATION AND PREPARATION OPPORTUNITIES

NOTE: A Certificate (program of up to one year of study beyond high school) or an Associate Degree (two years of study beyond high school) or a Bachelor's Degree (four years of study beyond high school) or a Master's Degree (five to six years of study beyond high school) or a Professional Degree or Doctorate (seven to ten years of study beyond high school) may qualify a person for this occupation.

The following education and preparation opportunities are helpful in preparing for occupations in the MOIScript:

***SCHOOL SUBJECTS***

0600 BUSINESS , 0700 CAREERS , 0800 CHOIR , 0900 COMMUNICATIONS , 1300 ENGLISH , 1600 FOREIGN LANGUAGE , 1900 HISTORY , 2000 LIFE MANAGEMENT , 2100 LITERATURE , 2200 MATH , 2400 MUSIC , 2800 PUBLIC SPEAKING , 3000 SOCIAL STUDIES , 3100 STUDY & WORK OPTIONS

***VOCATIONAL EDUCATION PROGRAMS***

There are no Vocational Education Programs related to this MOIScript

***POSTSECONDARY PROGRAMS***

154 RELIGION & THEOLOGY

Programs in Religion and Theology provide opportunities to gain the knowledge and skills necessary to assist others with their religious needs. Programs are related to the beliefs and practices of a religious faith or denomination and differ in length depending upon the faith the student Schools to study. Individuals who teach Religion and Theology at the secondary school level must have a Michigan Teaching Certificate.

Courses within programs will vary but may include:

            Search for a College and/or Instructional Program

***APPRENTICESHIP OPPORTUNITIES***

There are no Apprenticeships related to this MOIScript

***MILITARY TRAINING PROGRAMS***

Please check the Military web site at http://www.myfuture.com

CHAPLIN

The military provides for the spiritual needs of its personnel by offering religious services, moral guidance, and counseling. Chaplains conduct military worship services for military personnel and perform other spiritual duties covering beliefs and practices of all religious faiths.

What They Do

Chaplains in the military perform some or all of the following duties:

• Conduct worship services in a variety of religious faiths

• Perform religious rites and ceremonies, such as weddings and funeral services

• Visit and provide spiritual guidance to personnel in hospitals and to their families

• Counsel individuals who seek guidance

• Promote attendance at religious services, retreats, and conferences

• Oversee religious education programs, such as Sunday school and youth groups

• Train lay leaders who conduct religious education programs

• Prepare religious speeches and publications

Helpful Attributes

Helpful attributes include:

• Ability to express ideas clearly and concisely

• Interest in planning directing the work of others

• Sensitivity to the needs of others

Special Requirements

A master's degree in theology is required to enter this occupation. Ordination and ecclesiastical endorsement from a recognized religious denomination are also required.

Training Provided

Job training consists of 3 to 7 weeks of classroom instruction. Course content typically includes:

• Role and responsibility of military chaplains

• Administration and leadership techniques

• Training and education methods

• Procedures for planning programs pastoral counseling methods

Further training occurs on the job and through advanced courses.

Work Environment

Chaplains in the military usually work in offices, hospitals, and places of worship. Those assigned to sea duty work aboard ships. Those assigned to land combat units sometimes work outdoors.

Civilian Counterparts

Civilian chaplains work in places of worship, hospitals, universities, and correctional institutions. They perform duties similar to those performed in the military. However, they are almost always affiliated with a particular religious faith. Chaplains are also called clergy, ministers, preachers, priests, or rabbis.

Opportunities

The services have about 1,500 chaplains of various faiths. On average, they need 50 new chaplains each year. Military chaplains may advance to become directors of religious programs in their services.

E-Learning Courses and Programs

OPPORTUNITIES FOR EXPERIENCE AND METHODS OF ENTRY

Among methods of exploration are: assuming "lay" (non-clergy) responsibilities during worship services, volunteering to visit prisoners, sick or shut-in persons, and teaching classes in religion. Postsecondary programs in religion and theology as well as military training as a religious program specialist may offer opportunities for experience. Some small congregations employ part-time clergy members who are theology students or holders of secular jobs.

School-to-Work opportunities include:

informal apprenticeships

mentorships

job shadowing experiences

touring a local Clergy employer

internships

volunteer work with a Clergy employer

community service work with an agency

The most common method of entry is to begin as an assistant to an experienced Clergy Member. Some religions place experienced assistants with congregations, while others allow the congregation to select their own pastors. Most theological schools also provide placement assistance.

In addition, you should access and search the Internet's on-line employment services sites such as:

Michigan Talent Bank

America's Job Bank

Classifieds Employment

Yahoo! Careers

MONSTER.COM 

You should also enter an electronic resume on these on-line services.

EARNINGS AND ADVANCEMENT

Earnings for Clergy Members depend on the particular denomination, the size and financial status of the individual congregation, or the type of organization for which they work. The age, experience, learning, and reputation of the individual also affects income. Some Clergy Members keep no income if they take a vow of poverty. Any money they receive is given to support their institutions or orders. Others serve congregations with tight budgets and earn most, if not all, of their income from employment in secular occupations. Clergy working in the armed forces, in government institutions, in education, counseling, medicine, politics, or in other professions may receive the same pay as that of lay people doing the same job.

Nationally, the median annual salary for all Clergy Members in 1998 was $30,836. According to a 1999 survey of several denominations, senior pastors/priests earned (includes housing and utilities):

Clergy members employed by universities and colleges as directors of campus ministries in the 1998-99 school year had median annual salaries of $40,000.

Nationally, (1999), starting salaries for Rabbis averaged $60,000 annually. Pay in the largest congregations may reach over $200,000+ annually. Orthodox rabis tend to earn less.

In Michigan, the annual salaries of experienced Protestant Ministers ranged from about $18,294 to $147,590 in 1999. This included housing and utilities. Those who led large congregations had much higher earnings. In Michigan, chaplains who worked for hospitals in 1999 had average incomes of $34,200 per year, with those working in Detroit area hospitals averaging $33,800 per year.

Ordained Catholic Priests working in the North Central states, which include Michigan, received annual salaries (early 1999) from $8,752 to $40,065.

Clergy members employed by the state of Michigan in mid 1999 had annual earnings from $29,390 to $42,411.

In addition to salaries, Clergy often receive other types of compensation. They often receive fees for performing religious ceremonies associated with birth, marriage, and death. According to current Federal and State Income Tax laws, much of their income is tax exempt.

Most Clergy Members are supplied with either living quarters or a housing allowance by their congregations. Utility bills may be paid and car or travel expenses may be reimbursed. Paid vacations of 2 to 4 weeks are usually granted. Almost all Clergy Members receive paid life, health, dental and disability insurance. In addition, educational leave and retirement benefits may be partially paid.

Experience is usually the most important requirement for advancement, although education is also important for those working in areas such as counseling. Advancement for Clergy usually is in the form of increased responsibility. Clergy Members working for social and welfare organizations may become administrators or program directors. A few Clergy may advance to administrative positions within individual religious orders.

EMPLOYMENT AND OUTLOOK

Nationally, there were about 208,100 Clergy employed in 1996. The employment of Clergy Members is expected to increase about as fast as the average for all occupations through the year 2006. The industry distribution for Clergy looked like this:

There will be keen competition for Clergy positions in most established Protestant congregations. Favorable employment opportunities are expected for Rabbis, especially for those who seek work in congregations particularly in small communities and with large groups of retirees. The Catholic Church, however, is actively recruiting candidates for the priesthood. This is due to declining enrollment in Roman Catholic seminaries along with an increase in the total Catholic population. Clergy members willing to work in rural areas should have relatively favorable employment opportunities.

About 3,725 Clergy are employed in Michigan. Most worked in urban areas. Most served individual congregations while some taught at colleges, universities, seminaries, or denominational schools; were administrators of churches, mosques, or synagogues, related orphanages, hospitals, and social agencies, worked in the military, prisons, or hospitals.

Employment of Clergy in Michigan is expected to grow about as fast as the average for all occupations through the year 2005. An average of 130 annual openings is expected, with 60 due to growth and 70 due to replacement of clergy who retire, die or leave the active ministry for other reasons. Additional openings may occur as Clergy members change positions or occupations. However, the demand for Roman Catholic Priests is expected to remain high as shortages of clergy in this religion continue.

More women are entering the Clergy. Over 80 Denominations currently accept women as clergy members.

MICHIGAN'S EMPLOYMENT OUTLOOK TO 2005

SOURCES OF ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

Printed Occupational information is available upon written request from the sources below.

SUMMARY PROFILE

The occupation of can be summarized by the following:

MOISCRIPTS are Copyright 2003, Michigan Department of Career Development