The steps to becoming a reverend depend much on the sect of Christianity to which one wishes to belong. Many sects of Christianity use the title reverend, suggesting reverence, for their preachers. This includes Catholic and Greek and Eastern Orthodox priests. One is used to hearing them referred to as “Father,” but their official title for purpose of address is “Reverend.”
Most becoming a reverend will attend divinity school or a seminary and study religion from a Christian perspective. This perspective can be different depending upon the sect. For example, Catholics study from a bible that includes the “Apocrypha,” several books not belonging to the King James Bible. Other sects of Christianity may also examine the “Apocrypha” but feel it does not contain the same sacred value of those books contained in the King James Version.
In all Protestant denominations, a reverend can be married. In many, either a man or woman can become a reverend. Like Catholic priests, most Protestant denominations ordain ministers. They may also be subject to background checks and psychological examinations prior to becoming a reverend. This is also the case of Anglican denominations. Most who wish to become a reverend must submit to checks by the church to ensure the safety of the parishioners.
Some churches require a four-year college degree, and then post-graduate study in theology before granting one the title of reverend. Others require merely study with the leader of a church. Not every Christian sect has a paid reverend position. For example the Church of Jesus Christ of the Latter Saints, also called the Mormon Church, does not pay a minister, but instead a person from the religion leads church meetings, and oversees the operations of the local ward or branch of the church. The Bishop, as he is called, usually maintains an occupation outside of the church. Most Bishops have significant theological training, however, and have participated in intensive bible study, and at least one two-year mission, although this is not required.
In the Jehovah’s Witness religion, anyone baptized is essentially a minister. The ministers at church services can be both men and women. Women do quite a bit of preaching, but tend to be less involved in administrative work, and answers directly to the elders of the church.
The quickest way to become a reverend is to sign up on the Internet for a license. This can legally give one the right to perform marriages. It requires little to no education, and some people do it simply as a joke, or to perform the marriage ceremony for a friend. It is certainly no guarantee of holding a job in any church, unless one starts a congregation.
Some people who are not specifically of any religion become a reverend if they are good speakers and would like to perform marriage ceremonies for a living. Most Christian sects, however make significant distinction between a person who has been educated and ordained as a reverend, and someone who has simply spent a few minutes filling out forms to gain the title.
