Christian Studies

Are you interested in learning and analyzing religious texts? Could you see yourself working in a church after completion of your bachelor's degree? Are you interested in answering and studying questions of spiritual development? If you answered yes to these questions, a bachelor's degree in Christian Studies could be right for you. You can usually pursue a bachelor's program in Christian Studies through a liberal arts college or through a university affiliated with a church or particular denomination. Courses usually include topics such as: scripture, theology, history, and faith development. Usually, Christian studies majors are still required to take other classes outside their major. Courses in humanities can help students understand Christianity's impact on various political and social systems.

Common Career Paths:

Church Administrators

Are you interested in overseeing a church's finances and organizational structure? Do you think you could help come up with techniques to increase overall church attendance? A position as a church administrator involves some general management skills and excellent communication skills. You will be dealing with church attendees, church workers, and potential donors. You will be making sure tasks and events run smoothly from the bottom to the top of the church hierarchy. This will involve overseeing people from the kitchens of the church to the actually clergy. You will be in charge of church finances, payroll, and volunteer activities. Furthermore, you will be in responsible for coming up with techniques to increase participation in both volunteer and regular church activities. This is where other courses from your bachelor's degree program can be useful. If you are interested in this position, some marketing or advertising courses may be useful for your daily activities. Also, human resources courses and general knowledge about organizational structure/behavior could help you efficiently manage pay roll activities. Of course when it comes to increasing attendance, creativity can also be a tremendous asset. How will you increase funding for church activities? How will you make volunteers spend more of their time free time at missionary events and various church fundraisers? These are all responsibilities you will have as a church administrator. According to Pay Scale, entry-level church administrators make anywhere from $21,656 to $39,130. A church administrator's mid-career salary range is anywhere from $28,716 to $50,201 (after 10-19 years of experience).

Missionary

If you are interested in teaching others about Christianity, both domestically and abroad, a job as a church missionary may be an exciting and fulfilling employment opportunity for you. Most missionaries are assigned to work in developing nations. While assigned to various countries in Africa and Asia (some are also sent to Latin America), missionaries work diligently to gain converts to Christianity. They do this by educating local groups about scriptures and religious theology. Not all missionaries directly teach others about Christianity. They also engage in activities to improve local education and infrastructure in developing nations. Some missionaries hold English classes and courses about preventing diseases in the host country. They may also work with government officials to help ration food and other resources to the poor. If these are tasks you may be interested in, you should have certain characteristics to excel in the field. You need to be adventurous, flexible, and willing to live in difficult conditions. Although the job can be morally fulfilling and stimulating, it can be very difficult to live in such impoverished conditions. Diseases and various sicknesses can spread rampantly in some of these countries, so it is important to be ready for some hardship. There are also missionary employment opportunities within the United States. Some churches aim to spread information about Christianity in large, industrialized cities, where religious affiliation is declining. Compensation for missionary jobs usually depends on the church or Christian organization you work for. Usually, churches will pay for all living expenses abroad. They also help missionaries to pay necessary taxes and training expenses.

Clergy Leader/Member

Do you have excellent communication and presentation skills? Do you want to be at the forefront of church services and events? Would you be interested in helping church goers develop their religious and spiritual aims? What about non-spiritual conflicts, such as family issues and dilemmas? You may be expected to play the role of mediator or guidance counselor for certain church members on a regular basis. In addition to these tasks, you will be representing the church as a priest, pastor, or other type of spiritual leader. Your title will depend on the type of church or denomination you endorse or support (or vice versa—which denomination hires you). You will usually be in charge of the whole church, in terms of its programs, events, and finances. With help from church administrators, you will be in charge of running and attending various religious events, therapy sessions, fundraisers, and services. For a career like this, you MUST be a people person. Furthermore, you must be able to work under pressure for long hours. Sometimes when church financing is low, you will have to come up with creative ways to increase fundraising efforts. In order to lead services, you need to have a thorough understanding of theology, scripture, and various religious teachings. You may be required to attend seminars to enhance your preaching techniques as well. This can be a rewarding, challenging career for Christian studies majors. In addition to moral fulfillment, clergy leaders have a great, encouraging support system. Churchgoers usually financially support pastors and their families. According to Pay Scale, new pastors make anywhere from $38,625 to $50,565.