questions to ask before becoming a pastor?

Start looking for Christian colleges that offer an undergraduate degree in Youth Ministry. That's a good place to start. You might even type that into your favorite search engine "colleges offering degree in youth ministry" and see what comes up. You might get some good sites to help you find a good school.

Some questions to ask yourself and pray about would be

Why do you want to do this?

What makes you think God is calling you to this?

What are you willing to live without to do this? (full-time ministry costs you dearly, and not just in money)

List three other areas your call might also encompass.

If you can't be a Youth Pastor, where else might your call take you?

What will you do as a Youth Pastor?

Why youth? Why a pastor? Why not just a lay leader?

Pray, pray pray!

I felt called to ministry, so I went to a Bible College to start studying for the pastorate. While I was there, God led me to a drama ministry, which is what He had in mind all along. I'm still there. Being in full-time ministry does have high costs (I don't just mean in money) but it is well worth it.

I would ask God if this truly is what you are called to do. He will show you in a way that will be clear to you. There are many ways to serve God and minister to people, or youth in your case. Make sure that what you are about to do is done out of love. My brother was a youth pastor of a non-denominational ministry and he didn't have a degree in anything other than nursing (which is his job). If you are looking to do this as a full time career (with a steady paycheck) you may need to find a denomination that is close to what you feel is right and join and then go to one of their seminaries or colleges. This is usually a four year degree in religious studies or you can go for the degree in divinity but I'm not sure where would be the best fit for you. I have a friend who is a southern baptist youth pastor and he loves it I think he makes around 35k which for his are is not to bad. I will be praying with you on your decisions. God Bless.

Do you have the determination it takes ? If your thinking about it, you have the faith. But it takes more than faith to be a minister. An education is great but it isn't a requirement for some ministries. First find the denominational requirements and go from there. Even non denominational churches will have certain requirements for ministry. Some may be simple on the job training, some may require a degree.

The first and possibly most important question is, 'Can I do anything else to earn a living and still be happy?' I know it sounds weired but, the life of a pastor is not an easy one at all, it is often lonely, thankless, underpaid, and people watch your every step and will criticize anything you say.

That being said, this life is also the most rewarding. Where else can you spend your day with God, talking to people about God, and get paid to do it. Best of all is eternal benefit package, it is out of this world.

Ask yourself, 'Am I willing to do absolutely anything to spread the Gospel of Jesus Christ?'

Do I love teenagers enough to be brutally honest with them instead of worrying about will they still be my friend?

As far as education goes. get your degree in Biblical studies with a minor in youth ministries.

The major you want is Youth Ministry, or a Relgion major with a conncentration in Youth Ministry.

You might want to talk to your Youth Pastor or Pastor though, and ask them questions about what it takes, what you need to know, etc...

First read early church history & Early church fathers , here's a link http://www.earlychristians.org/expansion.html

If you are going to be Nondenominational what denomination will be hiring you?

Make sure of your election AND your calling

Don't waste your life spreading delusion and divisiveness.