Career: Clergy

Occupational Outlook Handbook job outlook for clergy

Local Salary Information

Clergy typically do the following:

• Pray and promote spirituality..
• Read from sacred texts, such as the Bible, Torah, or Koran..    
• Prepare and deliver sermons or other talks.
• Organize and lead regular religious services..    
• Plan or lead religious education programs..
• Instruct people who seek conversion to a particular faith.    
• Counsel individuals or groups concerning their spiritual, emotional, or personal needs.
• Administer religious rites or ordinances.
• Devise ways in which congregational membership can be expanded.
• Visit people in homes, hospitals, or prisons to provide them with comfort and support.
   

Education needed -  Requirements to become a member of the clergy depend on the religious organization. According to the Department of Labor, most religious organizations require potential candidates to receive graduate training while some will choose people who have been called to the clergy. Interested individuals should speak to a representative of the organization they would like to serve in, to find out how to become a cleric.
 

 
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