Page Content
Job profiles
Religious leader
Hours
Variable
Starting salary
Variable
Religious leaders offer spiritual and moral guidance, help and support to the followers of their religion. If you have a strong commitment to your religion and can inspire others, this role could be ideal for you.
In this role you would also need excellent communication skills. You would also need to have the confidence to speak in front of large groups of people.
There are different ways you can train for this job. You would be advised to ask a religious leader in your religion for guidance. You don't usually need academic qualifications, although a good standard of general education would be helpful as your training would often include in-depth study at a religious college.
WorkDesc
The work
Christianity, Islam, Hinduism, Sikhism, Judaism and Buddhism are the faiths with the largest UK followings, although more than 170 religions or belief systems are practised. Within each faith there may be sub-groups with varying beliefs and practices.
As a leader for your faith, you would be known by an appropriate title such as priest, minister, imam or rabbi. Your duties would vary according to your faith, but would typically include:
- encouraging commitment to the faith
- praying and studying your religion
- explaining the meaning of your faith’s teachings
- leading regular religious services or ceremonies
- conducting special services/ceremonies for religious festivals, holy days and events such as births, marriages and deaths
- educating people who are converting to your faith
- supporting people at difficult times in their lives
- representing your faith within the community
- being a role model for your followers
- meeting representatives of other faiths and communities
- fundraising, doing administrative work and keeping financial records.
You could also be involved in welfare and charity work in your community (not necessarily only with members of your own faith).
HoursDesc
Hours
Being a religious leader needs a substantial time commitment. Some religious ceremonies must be performed at set times of the day or week, but you would also be available to members of your community whenever you were needed.
You would perform ceremonies at your place of your worship, and you would also have an office there or at your own home. Some posts are based permanently in a prison, hospital or the Armed Forces.
You would also spend time visiting people in their homes, or other places including hospitals, schools, prisons or care homes. There may be opportunities to travel within the UK and abroad, to meet other religious leaders or visit holy places.
IncomeDesc
Income
Some religious leaders are paid a regular salary, some work voluntarily. Others may be provided with accommodation and living expenses by their faith community.
EntryRequirementsDesc
Entry requirements
Becoming a religious leader is a serious commitment that can be seen as a ‘calling’ as much as a career. As well as a strong belief in your faith and its traditions, you should accept that the work would affect all aspects of your life.
If you are considering training to become a leader in your faith, the first thing you should do is ask your own religious leader for advice and guidance.
The process of becoming a leader can take several years, because it is often based on your knowledge, experience and standing within the religion. You may have to convince other leaders and members of your religion that you are truly committed before you can start training.
In some religions there are rules on who can become a leader. For example, some faiths do not accept women. Some would expect you to remain unmarried and not form any other close personal relationships.
You don't usually need academic qualifications, although a good standard of general education would be helpful as your training would often include in-depth study at a religious college.
TrainingAndDevelopmentDesc
Training and development
Each religion has a different way of training its leaders. Although the training and the length of time it takes would vary, for many religions the process might include:
- study at a college or religious training centre
- intensive study of your faith’s teachings and writings
- time alone in contemplation or meditation
- experience of working with people in the community
- mentoring and supervision from an experienced leader of your religion.
Before being allowed to practise, you may have to go through a ceremony to formally welcome you as a minister of your religion (known as being 'ordained').
SkillsAndKnowledgeDesc
Skills and knowledge
To be a religious leader you should have:
- deep faith and strong commitment to your religion
- excellent communication and interpersonal skills
- a love of teaching and discussing your religion
- leadership skills
- a genuine desire to help people
- confidence in speaking to large groups of people
- the ability to motivate and inspire others
- the ability to relate to people of all ages, backgrounds and cultures
- compassion, empathy and an understanding of counselling skills
- awareness of your community’s needs.
MoreInformationDesc
OpportunitiesDesc
Opportunities
Around three quarters of people in the UK claim to have some form of religious belief.
Each religion is structured differently, so advancement will vary from faith to faith. You may be recommended for higher positions by senior members of your faith, or you may have to apply for vacant posts.
You may also have opportunities to become involved in other areas such as teaching, counselling, interfaith relations, writing, or humanitarian and charity work.
Job profiles are based on the latest information supplied to us by industry bodies, such as Sector Skills Councils. Please be aware that with the introduction of the Qualifications and Credit Framework 
there has been, and will continue to be, changes to vocational qualifications. For more information, please check with industry bodies directly.
We do not accept responsibility for the content of external sites.
LMIData
News
