Clergyman Career Description
Clergymen are responsible for the spiritual well-being of people. This includes congregational work as well as individual care, such as the writing of testimonials for members of the congregation, visits to old age homes, hospitals and children's homes, and giving moral guidance in general. This career can be chosen by males and females.
What am I going to do in this occupation?
The position of a clergyman was not created by a human being, but was established by God for the sake of the congregation. A person should only become a clergyman when feeling destined to be one. Without this sense of vocation no-one will be able to fulfill this highly responsible work. The duties of a clergyman can be divided into three sections which are congregational work, individual care and general duties.
Congregational work includes the following:
» Preaching from the pulpit.
» Administering of the sacraments.
» Performance of the marriage ceremony.
» Attending to funerals and prayer-meetings.
» Giving Sunday school guidance, confirmation classes, Bible study, and guiding Christian youth organisations.
» Undertaking missionary work.
» Conducting consistorial meetings.
» Training lay people (laity).
Individual care includes:
» Pastoral visiting.
» Visiting the sick and the bereaved.
» Visits to hospitals, homes for the aged, deathbeds and children's homes.
Requirements
What kind of personality do I need?
The mast important requirement of a clergyman is a sense of vocation. Other important qualities are leadership, the ability to' speak in front of people, power of reasoning, a knowledge of human nature and spiritual maturity. A desire to' serve others is important and the person should be emotionally stable and mature.
Where can I work?
Information an religious occupations, including the clergyman, pastor, missionary worker and evangelist, shows that employment opportunities are largely caused by the replacement of incumbents due to' resignation, retirements and deaths. As a result of the growth of the population, a steady demand far trained clergymen will continue. Many opportunities also' exist far people who' are interested in mission work.
Can I work for myself in this occupation?
A clergyman who' undertakes further studies in Psychology can, after completion of the
M.A. degree, practice as a psychologist (with pastoral background) in service of the church or as an own practice. A clergyman can act as a church planter, i.e. starting an another own independent congregation.
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