The steps to becoming a reverend are heavily influenced by the Christian sect to which one aspires. Many Christian sects give their preachers the title reverend, which implies respect. Priests from the Catholic, Greek, and Eastern Orthodox faiths are included. Although they are commonly addressed as “Father,” their official title for purposes of address is “Reverend.”
The majority of people who want to become reverends will go to divinity school or a seminary to study religion from a Christian perspective. Depending on the sect, this viewpoint may be different. Catholics, for example, study a bible that includes the “Apocrypha,” a collection of books not found in the King James Bible. Other Christian sects may examine the “Apocrypha,” but believe it lacks the same sacred value as the books found in the King James Version.
A reverend can marry in any Protestant denomination. In many cases, a reverend can be either a man or a woman. Most Protestant denominations, like Catholic priests, ordain ministers. Prior to becoming a reverend, they may be subjected to background checks and psychological evaluations. In the case of Anglican denominations, this is also true. Most people who want to be a reverend must go through a series of checks conducted by the church to ensure the safety of the parishioners.
Before granting the title of reverend, some churches require a four-year college degree and then post-graduate theological study. Others simply require study with a church leader. A paid reverend position is not available in every Christian sect. The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, also known as the Mormon Church, for example, does not pay a minister; instead, a member of the religion leads church meetings and oversees the church’s operations in the local ward or branch. Outside of the church, the Bishop, as he is referred to, usually works. Most bishops, on the other hand, have significant theological training and have completed at least one two-year mission, though this is not required.
Anyone who is baptized in the Jehovah’s Witness religion is essentially a minister. Both men and women can serve as ministers at church services. Women preach quite a bit, but they are less involved in administrative work and report directly to the church elders.
The quickest way to become a reverend is to apply for a license online. This can give you the legal authority to perform marriages. It requires little to no formal education, and some people do it as a joke or to perform a friend’s wedding ceremony. Unless one starts a congregation, there is no guarantee of getting a job in a church.
If they are good speakers and want to perform marriage ceremonies for a living, some people who are not specifically of any religion become reverends. Most Christian sects, on the other hand, distinguish between someone who has been educated and ordained as a reverend and someone who has simply spent a few minutes filling out paperwork.