By Brent Lacy

Most pastoral resumes look the same. They list education, ministry positions, and references in a standard format. They are competent and forgettable.

A pastoral resume that gets noticed is specific, honest, and tailored to the church you are applying to. Here is how to write one.

The Pastoral Resume: What to Include

Contact information

Name, phone, email, and a link to your church website or personal ministry website if you have one. Do not include your home address , it is unnecessary and creates privacy concerns.

Personal statement of faith and ministry philosophy

This is the most important section of your resume and the one most candidates write poorly. It should be 150-250 words that clearly articulate:

• What you believe about Scripture, salvation, and the church
• What you believe the primary calling of a pastor is
• What kind of church you are called to serve and why

Write this in your own voice. Do not copy language from a systematic theology textbook. A committee reading your statement should hear you , not a generic evangelical statement.

Education

List your degrees in reverse chronological order: degree, institution, year. If you have a seminary degree, list it first. If you have completed significant continuing education or certification programs, include those as well.

If you do not have a seminary degree, do not apologize for it. Many effective small church pastors are not seminary-trained. List what you have and let your ministry experience speak.

Ministry experience

This is the heart of the resume. List each ministry position in reverse chronological order with:

• Church name, location, and denomination
• Your title and dates of service
• Church size (average attendance) when you arrived and when you left
• Two or three specific accomplishments or contributions
• A brief honest description of why you left

Be specific about accomplishments. “Grew the church” is vague. “Average attendance grew from 45 to 78 over four years” is specific. “Launched a small group ministry that now has six active groups” is specific. Specificity signals credibility.

Preaching and teaching

Include a brief description of your preaching style and approach. If you have sermon recordings available online, include a link. Many search committees will listen to a sermon before they read the rest of the resume.

References

List three to five references with their names, titles, relationship to you, and contact information. Include:

• A denominational leader or supervisor who knows your ministry
• A former elder, deacon, or board member who can speak to your leadership
• A peer pastor who knows you well

Do not list references without asking them first. Do not list anyone who will not give you a strong recommendation.

What to Leave Out

• Generic statements. “I am passionate about ministry” tells a committee nothing. Every candidate is passionate about ministry.
• Excessive detail about early ministry. If you have been in ministry for twenty years, your first position does not need three bullet points.
• Anything that is not true. Committees check. References talk. Exaggerations and omissions are discovered.
• A photo. Unless specifically requested, do not include a photo on your resume.
• Salary requirements. Do not include salary requirements in your resume. That conversation happens later in the process.

The Cover Letter: How to Write One That Gets Read

Most cover letters are generic. They say “I am excited about the opportunity to serve your church” without demonstrating any knowledge of the church. A committee that receives fifty applications reads fifty versions of the same letter.

A cover letter that gets read is specific to this church.

Opening paragraph: Why this church

Open with a specific reason you are interested in this church. Not “I am looking for a new ministry opportunity” , that is about you. Something specific about the church: its community, its history, its ministry focus, its theological tradition.

Example: “I have been following the ministry of First Baptist Church of Millbrook for several months. Your commitment to serving the rural community through your food pantry and your emphasis on expository preaching align closely with my own ministry convictions.”

Middle paragraph: Why you are a fit

Briefly describe two or three specific experiences that are relevant to this church’s context and needs. If the church is in a rural community, mention your rural ministry experience. If the church is in a season of transition, mention how you have navigated transitions before.

Closing paragraph: Next steps

Close with a clear next step. “I would welcome the opportunity to speak with your search committee” is better than “I look forward to hearing from you.” Include your phone number and email again.

Length and format

One page. No more. Use the same font and formatting as your resume. Proofread carefully , a cover letter with typos signals carelessness.

Additional Materials to Include

Sermon recordings

If you have sermon recordings available, include a link in your cover letter. Choose recordings that represent your best preaching , not your most recent. A committee that listens to a strong sermon before reading your resume will read your resume differently.

Personal statement of faith

Some churches request a separate, more detailed statement of faith. If they do, write it carefully. This is not the place for vague language , be specific about what you believe on the issues that matter to this church.

Ministry philosophy document

A one-to-two page document describing your philosophy of ministry , how you approach preaching, pastoral care, leadership, and church health , can significantly strengthen your application. Not every church requests this, but including it proactively signals that you have thought carefully about ministry.

The Most Important Thing

The most important thing about your pastoral resume and cover letter is that they are honest. A resume that overstates your accomplishments, obscures your failures, or presents a version of yourself that does not match who you actually are will eventually be discovered , either in the interview process or in the first year of ministry.

The right church for you is a church that wants who you actually are. Help them find you by presenting yourself honestly.

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