Qualifications to Be a Pastor: Requirements to Be Ordained
What are the qualifications to be a pastor, and how do they relate to ordination? Christian ministry calls for personal faith, godly character, sound doctrine, and a demonstrated call to serve. Biblical passages such as 1 Timothy 3:1-7 and Titus 1:5-9 describe qualifications for pastoral leadership. The National Association of Christian Ministers (NACM) evaluates candidates for ordination through an application process that considers their faith, testimony, character, and ministry calling.
Qualifications to Be a Pastor and Serve in Christian Ministry
The qualifications to be a pastor involve more than holding a title or receiving a certificate. Scripture emphasizes qualities such as self-control, hospitality, the ability to teach, and faithfulness to sound doctrine. These qualities matter because ministers are entrusted with teaching Christian truth and caring for others. Ordination recognizes a ministerial calling, while a congregation or denomination may establish additional requirements for serving as its pastor.
Requirements to Be Ordained by the NACM
The following ordination requirements explain what candidates must meet to be considered for ordination through the NACM. Membership is the first step, but acceptance as a member is separate from applying for ordination. Candidates must demonstrate agreement with our evangelical Christian faith and meet the standards below. Review each requirement before proceeding.
- Accepted membership. The candidate must be an accepted member of the NACM. Membership is the first step and is not the same as applying for ordination.
- Confession of evangelical Christian faith. The candidate must make a firm confession of the evangelical Christian faith by confirming agreement with every point in our statement of faith.
- Theological evaluation. The candidate must pass a theological evaluation by an Elder serving within our organization. This evaluation is part of the application process and may be conducted by email, phone call, or in person.
- Demonstrated call to ministry. Through their testimony and application, the candidate must demonstrate a call to ministry. This requires clear statements of personal ministry goals, vision, and mission, along with agreement with our values in ministry.
- Sexual integrity. The candidate must affirm the conviction that sexual intercourse outside of marriage is sin and confirm that they are not living in sexual sin.
- Sex offender registration. The candidate must not be required by law to register as a sex offender.
- Incarceration status. The candidate must not be incarcerated.
- Wedding ministry commitments. The candidate must confirm that they will perform weddings only between a man and a woman, with a state-issued marriage license, and in the state where that license was issued.
- Drug use. At the time of submitting the application, the candidate must confirm that, for at least one year, they have not used illegal drugs or prescription drugs not prescribed directly to them.
- Public Internet background check. The candidate must pass an in-depth public Internet background check of their character.
Review Your Qualifications to Be a Minister
As you consider your qualifications to be a minister, review your beliefs, personal conduct, and reasons for pursuing ministry. Your application should clearly explain your testimony and the calling you believe God has placed on your life. Agreement with the NACM’s statement of faith is an essential requirement for ordination. Read it carefully as your next step in reviewing these requirements.