8 Fulfilling Callings You Can Pursue with an Online Ministry Degree

Pursuing an online ministry degree may feel like a reliable path toward becoming a church leader. It is, but this degree can open many doors for you—both in the church and the outside community! 

Did you know that Christian ministry programs at many schools overlap with leadership, management, and business administration courses? With a high-quality, faith-based online education, you’ll be well-equipped with diverse skills, allowing you to do good and help people in various settings.

If you want to learn more about the programs that Mount Vernon Nazarene University (MVNU) Online provides, click here to explore our Bachelor of Arts (BA) in Christian Ministry or Master of Ministry offerings.

Exciting Career Options for Christian Ministry Students

Want to serve in a church? 

Interested in directly supporting your community? 

Excited to educate, consult, or counsel? 

An online BA in Christian Ministry or Master of Ministry degree can help you fuel all of these passions (and more). Here’s a sampling of some of the career pathways you can take after achieving an online ministry degree:

1. Become a pastor. 

A pastor is a church-based professional who serves as the spiritual and theological leader of a group of people. At church and in the church community, a pastor delivers and interprets scripture. They may also work with worship directors, counsel church members, manage events, and even support the administrative function of their church community. 

2. Serve as a youth minister. 

Youth ministers are leaders who work specifically with young adults and teenagers in a church community. To guide youth in spiritual development, youth ministers need a firm understanding of biblical teachings, church doctrine, and current trends in youth culture. They also need to be able to communicate with teens, mediate tough situations, and organize events around worship, community, and service.

3. Direct religious activities or education. 

Directors of religious education or activities are in charge of developing outreach programs to benefit their communities. For example, they might create sessions surrounding health, finances, or marriage that they offer through their church or even train church or school employees in different types of professional development. 

4. Educate as a religion or philosophy teacher in some settings. 

Depending on a degree holder’s interests and experience in ministry and ecclesiastical studies, they might be able to become a philosophy or religion educator at a private religious school or in a non-institutional setting. In classrooms, these professionals might help students learn about and discuss contemporary religious ideologies and philosophical perspectives. 

5. Support or lead a nonprofit. 

Many people trained in both ministry and business (as is the case with our dual MBA and Master of Ministry degree) join nonprofit organizations. There, they use their skills in scriptural understanding, interpersonal communication, and more to support their community and the nonprofit’s goals. 

6. Counsel those in need. 

In some cases, you can use your degree to provide specific care to people who need help. Perhaps they’re dealing with a personal crisis. Maybe a couple requires premarital counseling, or a teen needs help processing emotional struggles. In these cases, your online ministry degree may equip you to provide the support and caring presence that these individuals deserve. 

7. Provide services as a chaplain. 

Chaplains are religious representatives who work out in the field. So instead of working in a church, you’ll provide support, education, and guidance for people in hospitals, military units, schools, prisons, or universities. By being out and about in these diverse settings, you can provide care, comfort, and counseling to a wide range of people, including individuals going through difficult circumstances. 

8. Create or support an online ministry. 

If you want to be where your community or congregants are, that’s on the internet! Your online ministry degree will give you the tools to engage in digital outreach, spread the message of the scriptures through podcasts and social media, and even connect with people worldwide to build a vital virtual community.

Navigating the Field of Ministry with an Online Ministry Degree

Pursuing higher education in ministry—whether through a graduate or undergraduate degree program—can set you up for many different types of jobs. If you have your eye on one career in particular, it’s a good idea to see if it has any unique requirements. Checking in with someone who currently has the job you want in the future can be a great way to understand what the job requires—and whether there are official or unofficial experiences or skills that would make you competitive for the career of your dreams. 

Remember: Job descriptions and responsibilities can vary significantly from denomination to denomination. Look at the curriculum offerings of the ministry program you’re considering to make sure it matches your future goals! 

What’s the difference between ministry education online and seminary options? 

There are various paths you can take in religious education, including online ministry degree programs and other theological education options, such as seminary. However, there are several key differences between seminary and ministry formation programs. 

These differences may include: 

• Specific academic focus points: Ministry involves practical training for applying scriptural principles in congregations and communities, whereas seminary education emphasizes in-depth theology and Bible studies. 
• Degrees offered: You may be able to get an online ministry degree at both the undergraduate and graduate level. Seminary options lean predominantly toward graduate-level degrees. 

Preparation for select career paths: Online ministry degrees prepare students for roles in community outreach, local church ministries, and other practical ministry positions, whereas seminary is usually geared to those seeking roles as pastors, educators, theologians, and church leaders.

What Should I Look For If I’m Pursuing an Online Degree in Ministry?

In addition to ensuring that the content of your online ministry degree program aligns with your ideal job description and what your faith community believes in, it’s a good idea to make sure that the program fits into your life. 

That can sound like a tough box to check. Fortunately, no matter where you are in your journey or when you receive the call to ministry, educational opportunities are available. Today, online programs offer convenience and accessibility for working adults who live just about anywhere! 

Some other characteristics of an ideal program for you might include: 

Flexible learning for diverse lifestyles. 

Enrolling in an online program for your ministry degree offers the flexibility to balance your education with your other life responsibilities—whether you have a full-time job, children to care for, or other commitments you need to prioritize. 

Accessible theological education. 

Getting a high-quality education in theology hasn’t always been easy! By giving you options to further your learning from anywhere in a rigorous program, an online ministry degree can give you unprecedented access to the subjects you seek. 

Tailored programs to fit your calling. 

No two people have the exact same career aspirations. That extends to ministry, too. With online ministry degrees, you don’t have to settle for an education that doesn’t align with your goals. Are you interested in pastoral leadership? Do you want to explore individual counseling? Do you have a knack for digital outreach? You can tailor your education to match your needs.

Prepare for a Successful Career in Ministry with MVNU Online

If you wish to pursue a career in ministry and fulfill your calling, turn to MVNU Online for high-quality, convenient, and affordable BA in Christian Ministry and Master of Ministry programs. 

To learn more about online ministry degrees from MVNU Online and how we can help you achieve your Christian-focused career goals through accredited degrees for non-traditional students, request additional information today.