5 Benefits of a Pastoral Studies Major

5 Benefits of a Pastoral Studies Major Summary: This article gives you 5 of the most important benefits of pursuing a major in pastoral studies. Understanding the benefits will help you make up your mind. Pastoral studies major can be the right step for you if you want to preach the Gospel as it will give you a way to further explore the ministry. You will gain knowledge and skills that will prepare you to be a pastor, to pursue further education in this field, to live a faithful Christian life, and even to succeed in other careers. A master of arts in pastoral studies can address the challenges that you face in your way of becoming a pastor. It allows you to begin preparing to be a lead pastor, even without going to seminary. Chance to explore your calling Discerning a ministry calling in life takes a lot of time and testing. But a master of arts in pastoral studies will help you learn to build relationships with the professors and other students, which will give you valuable insight into the realities of ministry. You will get a chance to learn more about the scripture, theology, and church history, intensively, as well as about yourself. Learning in the classroom as well as in the field will give you a complete piece of knowledge about the practical, administrative, and relational challenges and responsibilities of a pastor. The faculty mentors will help you to discern the subjects and tasks that you are passionate about, your gifts, who and where you would love to serve, and where can you make the biggest impact. You will get to know if other people see pastoral ministry as a good fit for you. Prepare you for pastoral ministry All churches do not require the pastoral candidates to have a seminary degree like MDiv. So, if you decide to major in pastoral studies, you may get the chance to become the lead pastor, without any further studies. Well-prepare you for seminary If you are planning to seek full-time ministry, then seminary education is a must-have for it. So, pursuing pastoral studies online can great way to lay the foundation for this, by deepening your knowledge of Scripture. It will give you more extensive preparation that is worth the time and expense. Grow your faith A major in pastoral studies will help you grow in your faith and in the knowledge of what you believe in. Irrespective of the career that you pursue, the knowledge that you gain will impact all your relationships in life and will be of value to you for the rest of your life.

The degree is useful in other careers When pursuing your pastoral studies major, if you realize that the ministry isn't your calling, you will still be prepared to work either in the church or take up another field. Some of the available options include working for a ministry or a non-profit organization. This degree will help you to develop thinking, communication, leadership, and problem-solving skills, which are much valued in other fields. The bottom line Pursuing pastoral studies online can prepare you well for a variety of career paths, and help you to navigate away when you are uncertain about your life's calling. Resource Box: St. Bernard's School of Theology and Ministry is a renowned institute that offers various online programs, including master of arts in pastoral studies. This course seeks to provide students with a dynamic combination of theological and ministerial formation.