WRITING A MINISTERIAL RÉSUMÉ
The purpose of a résumé is to demonstrate that you have the skills and experience necessary to
handle the ministry for which you wish to be considered. A résumé is not to get you a job, but to get you
an interview for a job. The résumé should not merely list the positions you have held in the past. It
should emphasize experiences within these positions that demonstrate your gifts and abilities. Remember
that abilities and experiences relevant to Christian ministry may be found and demonstrated in secular
work as well as church-related work.
A. General Guidelines.
1. Read some sample résumés of others for ideas and format.
 Faculty, staff, fellow ministers, and your field education supervisor may be a helpful source of
information and guidance.
2. Write your basic résumé in first person.
 “I” and “me” add a vital personal aspect.
3. Consider carefully the kind of audience who will read your résumé.
 What do they want to know?
 How can you best present yourself in light of their concerns?
 If you are open to several positions, make out different résumés.
4. Don’t be afraid to sell yourself.
 If you have had considerable experience and accomplishments, don’t be afraid to mention them.
 Do not exaggerate, but be accurate and honest in your presentation.
 Do not overstate your achievements by claiming to have done certain things single-handedly,
because most ministry work is a team effort.
5. Put down all relevant ministry experience — even if it is volunteer experience.
 Relevant secular experience that demonstrates skills needed in ministry is important.
6. You do not need to discuss in detail everything you have done.
 Emphasize your strengths and the significant responsibilities you have fulfilled.
 Mention only briefly, if at all, experiences which will contribute little to an understanding of your
ministry skills.
 Minute details can be surfaced appropriately in the interview process that normally follows.
7. Work carefully on an attractive layout for the résumé.
 Be absolutely sure all grammar and spelling are correct.
 Keep it short, but not too short.
B. Specific Guidelines.
1. Layout.
 The higher the quality of printing and paper the better.
 Don’t go overboard with the font changes.
 There should be writing but also blank space.
 Have clear and understandable headings and subheadings.
 If you use a photo, a simple head-and-shoulders shot is best.
 Preferably it should be not more than two pages in length.
2. Address.
 Put a current and secondary address (with phone numbers and e-mail address), so you may be
easily reached at all times.
3. Personal Information.
 Birth date.
 Marital Status — name of spouse and date of marriage.
 If your spouse has an educational or work background that would benefit your ministry, list
these.
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 If you have been divorced, you may want to list this also.
 Children — names and dates of birth.
 License and ordination — church, place, and date of each.
4. Education.
 High school (not necessary, but only if beneficial).
 University or college degrees and diplomas and special training — place and date.
 Seminary and Bible College training — place and date.
 If yet to be completed, list the degree (or diploma) and date of anticipated graduation.
5. Ministry Objective.
 Be concise, specific, and unambiguous.
6. Church Related Experience.
 Start with the most relevant and recent, and work back from there.
 List the positions (paid and unpaid) and what you accomplished in that position.
 If appropriate, you might include a separate sub-section for denominational experience (e.g
AssisTeam training, Summer Youth Celebration, etc.).
7. Major Secular Experience.
 Centre upon experiences that will be beneficial in ministry.
 List the main ones since you have been an adult (not every little part-time job you have ever had!).
8. Publications.
 If you have done any writing (for your denomination, your church, etc.) you may want to include
that in a separate section.
9. Hobbies and Interests.
 List several of these to show that you are not a workaholic and to reveal a little of your private
personal side.
10. References.
 List five or six people who know you and your abilities well (it would be best to get their
permission first).
 Have a variety of different kinds of references (e.g. pastor or former pastor, denominational staff,
professor, personal friend, church member, neighbouring pastor, etc.).
 Put their name, how they know you (e.g. professor), address and phone number (and e-mail).
11. Personal Statement.
 One or two paragraphs briefly describing your personal salvation testimony, experience, and call
into ministry is sufficient.
 Briefly describe your views about the ministry you are seeking (e.g. pastor).
C. Finding a Ministry Position.
1. By far the best method of finding a ministry position is by personal recommendation.
 If you know someone known by that church (e.g. former pastor, director of missions, neighbouring
pastor, etc), that person’s recommendation will help you greatly.
2. The more narrow the scope of ministry the more difficult.
 Time (e.g. full-time or bi-vocational).
 Type (e.g. pastor, associate pastor, music, youth, etc.).
 Geography (country, region, rural or urban, etc.).
 Style (e.g. traditional or non-traditional).
 Denomination.
3. Visit or call your denominational office regularly for a list of the churches needing ministers.
4. Consider volunteer and interim work.
5. Maintain relational and ministry networks (e.g. denominational employees, pastors, former classmates,
etc.).
6. Be active in ministry RIGHT NOW!
7. Vary your ministry experience.
8. Start early.
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9. Be aggressive but not pushy.
10. Pray, PRAY, PRAY!!!