Working…

Whether you are working in a parish setting or not, you are impacting your environment through the training you’ve received in seminary. You are the church in the world. It is an exciting opportunity to bring your expertise and curiosity to your vocational setting. However, just because you have graduated from seminary doesn’t mean that your learning is complete. There is constantly more information made available to us that can ready us for the future. Here you will find some (hopefully) relevant information for you to utilize in your profession as well as opportunities to feed your curiosity.

Parish/Religious Organization Vocation:

Depending on the size and structure of your church, you may be required to write a church budget. At the very least, you will have to understand a church budget, which is why getting familiar with church finances before leaving seminary or shortly thereafter will help you feel more confident and able to focus on the other aspects of your role as pastor.

One of the tricky areas to navigate as a clergy member are taxes.* While you should always consult a tax advisor for your specific needs, we have some additional resources that might benefit your research on the Resources page; Richard Hammar is an authoritative voice on the matter and has written many books on the subject (sign up for free eNewsletters from Church Law & Tax). You will find resources ranging in price and length, so there’s something for everyone’s attention span and wallet.

Still have seminary debt to pay off? You could qualify for one of two forgivable loan programs through PC(USA)! Head over to our Debt page to find out more.

Corporate Vocation:

If you’re working in a corporate field, it may sound like a cliche, but leading by example is the greatest way to impact your work. If you are in a position to influence business practices, use the opportunity to reevaluate the way your business operates. Ask yourself the following questions: Do your employees earn a living wage? Do you accept advertisers or investors that align with your company values? How do your business practices impact the environment?

Perhaps you don’t have as much sway in the business, but you can still influence your work. The way you interact with coworkers and customers exemplifies how you see God working in the world. While your job doesn’t fully exemplify who you are as a person, it’s (usually) a large portion of your life, so it’s important that you bring your vision of the Kingdom of God to all aspects of your life. This isn’t about “converting” anyone, but rather about bringing your ethics and values into your work.

Continued Curiosity:

Think about the ways in which you can seek new perspectives. Maybe you take a course of interest at a local school, perhaps you attend a workshop or seminar on a relevant topic. If you love traveling, you can search for overseas trips that contain educational components. For example, you can always check the UPSem travel seminars for intriguing locations and subjects.

*Seminary Cents and UPSem do not provide tax, legal, or accounting advice. These resources have been prepared for informational purposes only and are not intended to provide, nor should it be relied on for, tax, legal or accounting advice. Please consult your own tax, legal and accounting advisors for your needs.