Many people identify with a religion that guides them throughout their lives. Religion is a way for people to find purpose and a sense of morality, and sometimes they become so passionate about their religion that they decide to work for their church in some capacity. This is a responsibility that comes with many pros and cons.
Becoming a priest in Catholicism means you can’t get married, depriving you of the companionship that comes along with it. On the other hand, the church community is often a strong social setting for people who work in the church, perhaps making up for the lack of joy that comes from getting married.
We’ll talk about some of these social aspects of pursuing a career in the church, along with the financial aspects of working in the church. In addition to the benefits, another relevant consideration for individuals interested in a career in the church is the potential education they receive in Christian schools, where they can gain a comprehensive understanding of theology, biblical studies, and pastoral care. Auto insurance for clergy members is often cheaper than typical insurance if you pursue a policy through a religious insurance company. Clergy members also sometimes get special tax exemptions, and we’ll discuss those below.
Pro: Your Congregation is Inspired by You
It’s often difficult to find a career in which you can impact people directly. Being a member of the clergy allows you to inspire and help people who are members of your church so they can lead better lives and make better decisions. This is a large responsibility, but it’s something most clergy members have come to expect and they are willing to shoulder it.
If you are a priest who listens to your congregation in confession, people are sometimes telling you very serious things about their lives. Sins confessed may include smaller issues like name-calling to larger, illegal activities like assaulting someone. As a priest, you have the chance to give them moral and ethical advice that can change the world.
When clergy is able to instruct their members on how to own up to their mistakes and make better decisions in the future, the whole congregation becomes a more moral place to be. The clergy has to make sure they have good listening skills, an empathetic understanding of other people, and a willingness to not judge others.
It can really make you feel like you’ve made a difference in your community when your congregation comes to you for support when they may feel like they have nobody else in their lives who can help them. You may even form friendships with your church members.
Con: Not All Churches Share Your Values
Just because you join the church as a member of the clergy, it doesn’t mean you automatically agree with everything the church believes. For example, LGBTQ+ rights have long been an issue discussed in Christianity. Some congregations aren’t accepting of gay and trans people, and you have to decide if you feel this is right or wrong.
Finding a church for people from all walks of life may be a priority for you as a member of the clergy. Having to work in a setting where people don’t share your values can compromise your enjoyment of the job. Clergy workers should try to change the values of the church they work in from the inside out. Members of the church listen closely to priests and clergy.
Pro: You Get Tax Breaks and Insurance Discounts
Pursuing a career in the church may be financially beneficial to you at some points in your life. You have to pay income taxes on the salary you receive for being a clergy worker, but you can opt to not pay into things like Social Security or Medicare if you don’t want to. Some clergy members can argue these social programs contradict their beliefs.
Other financial discounts include insurance breaks from your auto insurance company. The big names like State Farm and Allstate don’t usually give you discounts for being a church worker, but religious insurance companies like Christian Healthcare Ministries will give you cheaper insurance.
Con: Salaries Aren’t High in the Church
On the other hand of the financial spectrum, priests and clergy members often don’t have a large upside for their salaries. Many estimates say that priests only make about $45,000 a year to start, and sometimes it only increases to a maximum of $70,000 annually. This isn’t a great salary considering the number of living expenses in the U.S. right now.
Before applying to work as a priest or clergy member, you should consider your style of living such as where you live, what foods you eat, and whether you are financially responsible for anyone. Create a budget and see what you’ll need to sacrifice to become a working member of the church.
Pro: You’ll Feel Closer to God
It’s pretty obvious that if you want to pursue a career in the church, you have a strong relationship with your religion. Many Christians view their faith as a bond between themselves and God. Becoming a priest will make you feel even closer to your faith, creating a sense of purpose and direction in your life.
Becoming a working member of a church is a much more personal occupation than most other jobs. This means it’s going to require a lot of patience and time, but it should be very rewarding.
Con: You Sometimes Can’t Get Married
Catholic priests famously can’t get married once they have joined the congregation. The only exception is Eastern Catholic Churches allowing priests who are already married to keep their spouses when they join the church. Everyone considering a career in the clergy should think about how important marriage is to their happiness in life.
Marriage is often associated with having children, so priests sacrifice the joy of raising a family. They have to view their church community as their family instead. Not being allowed to have a marriage and children can be stressful, lonely, and even depressing. Clergy should talk to counselors or therapists if they feel mentally drained from their job.
When you decide to pursue a career in a church, it’s vital to evaluate all of the pros and cons of doing so. If you have a deep connection to your faith and you want to help others realize their connection to religion, being a clergy member should be a very fulfilling job.
Shawn Laib writes and researches for the auto insurance comparison site, AutoInsurance.org. He wants to help people understand the positives and negatives of becoming a working member of a church.
