A new Lifeway survey finds most pastors have limited work experience outside of ministry. Most of the pastors surveyed say their resumes include several church and ministry roles but lack experience in jobs unrelated to ministry.

A third of pastors (34%) have five years or less of non-ministry-related job experience, including 13 percent who say they have less than a year of “secular” work experience.

Nearly a quarter (24%) of the pastors surveyed say they have six to ten years of work experience not affiliated with a church. The number dwindles for those who worked for an extended period in a non-ministry field before becoming the pastor of a church (10% for 11-15 and 16-20 years; 7% for 21-25  and 26-30 years; and 8% for 30 or more years in non-ministry career fields).

This is likely due in part to age, as pastors 65 and older (20%) are more likely to say they have worked more than 30 years in another field. It is to be expected then when younger pastors say they have not worked in a non-ministry-related field for an extended period.

Formal education is also a likely factor. Those surveyed who do not have a college degree say they worked 26-30 years (15%) and more than 30 years (17%) in non-ministry-related fields before becoming church pastors.

“A person’s journey to the pastorate can happen at almost any age, but the majority of pastors are in a ministry job by their early 30s,” Scott McConnell, executive director of Lifeway Research, said. “Ministry skills are typically developed in more junior positions at a church, but some senior pastors learn on the job.” He continued, “Years of work experience in non-ministry roles can help pastors relate to the experiences of those in their congregations and to develop relationships with people outside their churches,” said McConnell.

To read the full report and the survey’s methodology, click