Lay Ministry: Program Overview, Universities, Careers & Salaries
Program Overview
Designed for individuals seeking meaningful roles in faith-based communities, this program equips non-ordained professionals with the theological knowledge, practical skills, and spiritual foundation necessary to lead and serve in diverse ministry capacities. Emphasis is placed on developing ethical leadership, deep biblical literacy, and compassionate service within ecclesiastical and community contexts.
- Bible Studies: In-depth exploration of scriptural texts across both Testaments, focusing on historical context, literary forms, and theological themes to strengthen personal and communal understanding.
- Theology: Examination of core Christian doctrines, including the nature of God, salvation, ecclesiology, and eschatology, grounded in historical and contemporary perspectives.
- Spirituality: Development of personal and communal spiritual practices, including prayer, reflection, and liturgical engagement, to nurture inner life and ministerial resilience.
- Pastoral Counseling: Training in empathetic listening, crisis intervention, and ethical decision-making to support individuals and families through life’s challenges within a faith framework.
- Foundations of Ministry: Overview of the historical, structural, and ethical dimensions of church life, including roles, responsibilities, and accountability in lay leadership.
- Effective Communication: Strategies for clear, inclusive, and impactful verbal and written expression tailored to diverse congregational and intergenerational audiences.
- Church Leadership: Practical application of organizational skills, team dynamics, and strategic planning to guide small groups, ministries, and community initiatives.
Lay Ministry Graduate Trends (2010-2024)
Lay Ministry Career Pathways & Salary Outlook
The following table presents salary data for occupations typically aligned with Lay Ministry degrees, including Directors, Religious Activities and Education and Religious Workers, All Other. These career paths represent common employment outcomes but are not guaranteed for all graduates. Salary ranges vary by location, employer, experience level, and specific role requirements. Nationally, these occupations employ approximately 33,630 professionals.
National Average Salaries
| Occupation | Median Salary | Salary Range | Total Employment | Hourly Rate |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Directors, Religious Activities and Education 21-2021 | $54,840 | $33,990 - $106,530 | 21,460 | $26.37 |
| Religious Workers, All Other 21-2099 | $45,120 | $29,120 - $75,920 | 12,170 | $21.69 |
Lay Ministry Salary Map by State
Geographic location significantly impacts earning potential for these careers. Average salaries range from $29,150 in Louisiana to $65,190 in Alabama—a 124% difference. The highest-paying states include Alabama, Colorado, and California. Nationwide, these occupations employ over 33,630 professionals across all states. Explore the interactive map below to compare regional compensation and identify optimal markets for your career goals.
Average Salary Range:
Top Universities for Lay Ministry by Graduate Enrollment
Below are the top 47 institutions offering Lay Ministry programs for the 2023-2024 academic year (the most recent data reported as of 2025), ranked by the number of graduates. The highest graduate enrollment in Lay Ministry is found at Gordon-Conwell Theological Seminary (GCTS) (157 graduates), Westminster Theological Seminary (WTS) (100 graduates), Calvin University (56 graduates), Grace Christian University (46 graduates), and The Master's University and Seminary (TMU) (37 graduates). Combined, these colleges produced 732 graduates across all degree levels. Program availability varies by award level, including Associate, Bachelor's, Master's, and Doctoral degrees at participating universities and schools.
| College Name | Award Levels | Graduates | Location | Control | Website |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Gordon-Conwell Theological Seminary (GCTS) |
Postbac Cert.
Master's
|
157 | South Hamilton, Massachusetts | Private | gordonconwell.edu |
| Westminster Theological Seminary (WTS) |
Master's
|
100 | Glenside, Pennsylvania | Private | wts.edu |
| Calvin University |
Certificate (1-2 yrs)
Associate's
Bachelor's
|
56 | Grand Rapids, Michigan | Private | calvin.edu |
| Grace Christian University |
Associate's
Bachelor's
|
46 | Wyoming, Michigan | Private | gracechristian.edu |
| The Master's University and Seminary (TMU) |
Master's
|
37 | Santa Clarita, California | Private | masters.edu |
| Liberty University |
Bachelor's
|
31 | Lynchburg, Virginia | Private | liberty.edu |
| Regent University |
Bachelor's
Master's
|
29 | Virginia Beach, Virginia | Private | regent.edu |
| Colorado Christian University (CCU) |
Bachelor's
Master's
|
28 | Lakewood, Colorado | Private | ccu.edu |
| Bethel University |
Associate's
Bachelor's
|
23 | Mishawaka, Indiana | Private | betheluniversity.edu |
| North Central University (NCU) |
Bachelor's
|
16 | Minneapolis, Minnesota | Private | northcentral.edu |
| Fordham University |
Postbac Cert.
Master's
Doctorate (Research)
|
16 | Bronx, New York | Private | fordham.edu |
| Grace College and Theological Seminary |
Bachelor's
Master's
|
15 | Winona Lake, Indiana | Private | grace.edu |
| University of St Thomas |
Master's
|
15 | Saint Paul, Minnesota | Private | stthomas.edu |
| Visible Music College |
Certificate (1-2 yrs)
Bachelor's
|
13 | Memphis, Tennessee | Private | visible.edu |
| University of Northwestern (UNW) |
Postbac Cert.
Master's
|
12 | Saint Paul, Minnesota | Private | unwsp.edu |
| Indiana Wesleyan University |
Associate's
Bachelor's
|
11 | Marion, Indiana | Private | indwes.edu |
| Saint John's Seminary |
Master's
|
10 | Brighton, Massachusetts | Private | sjs.edu |
| Southeastern Free Will Baptist Bible College |
Associate's
|
10 | Wendell, North Carolina | Private | sfwbc.edu |
| Bethel University |
Bachelor's
|
9 | Saint Paul, Minnesota | Private | bethel.edu |
| United Lutheran Seminary (ULS) |
Postbac Cert.
|
9 | Gettysburg, Pennsylvania | Private | unitedlutheranseminary.edu |
| Urshan Graduate School of Theology (UGST) |
Master's
|
7 | Wentzville, Missouri | Private | ugst.edu |
| Merrimack College |
Postbac Cert.
Master's
|
5 | North Andover, Massachusetts | Private | merrimack.edu |
| Covenant Theological Seminary (CTS) |
Master's
|
5 | Saint Louis, Missouri | Private | covenantseminary.edu |
| Gods Bible School and College (GBS) |
Bachelor's
|
5 | Cincinnati, Ohio | Private | gbs.edu |
| United Theological Seminary |
Master's
|
5 | Dayton, Ohio | Private | united.edu |
| Kairos University |
Master's
|
5 | Sioux Falls, South Dakota | Private | kairos.edu |
| Manhattan Christian College (MCC) |
Bachelor's
|
4 | Manhattan, Kansas | Private | mccks.edu |
| Oak Hills Christian College (OHCC) |
Certificate (1-2 yrs)
|
4 | Bemidji, Minnesota | Private | oakhills.edu |
| St Catherine University (St. Kate’s) |
Postbac Cert.
|
4 | Saint Paul, Minnesota | Private | stkate.edu |
| Athenaeum of Ohio |
Postbac Cert.
Master's
Other Award
|
4 | Cincinnati, Ohio | Private | athenaeum.edu |
| Samford University |
Bachelor's
|
3 | Birmingham, Alabama | Private | samford.edu |
| Arizona Christian University (ACU) |
Bachelor's
|
3 | Glendale, Arizona | Private | arizonachristian.edu |
| Tabor College (TC) |
Bachelor's
|
3 | Hillsboro, Kansas | Private | tabor.edu |
| University of Dayton (UD) |
Postbac Cert.
|
3 | Dayton, Ohio | Private | udayton.edu |
| Corban University |
Master's
|
3 | Salem, Oregon | Private | corban.edu |
| Warner University |
Master's
|
2 | Lake Wales, Florida | Private | warner.edu |
| Malone University |
Certificate (1-2 yrs)
|
2 | Canton, Ohio | Private | malone.edu |
| Ursuline College |
Master's
|
2 | Pepper Pike, Ohio | Private | ursuline.edu |
| Southwestern Assemblies of God University (SAGU) |
Associate's
|
2 | Waxahachie, Texas | Private | sagu.edu |
| South Florida Bible College and Theological Seminary (SFBC&TS) |
Associate's
|
2 | Deerfield Beach, Florida | Private | sfbc.edu |
| International Baptist College and Seminary (IBCS) |
Bachelor's
|
2 | Chandler, Arizona | Private | ibcs.edu |
| Northeastern Seminary |
Postbac Cert.
|
2 | Rochester, New York | Private | nes.edu |
| Judson University |
Bachelor's
|
1 | Elgin, Illinois | Private | judsonu.edu |
| Andrews University |
Other Award
|
1 | Berrien Springs, Michigan | Private | andrews.edu |
| Trevecca Nazarene University (TNU) |
Bachelor's
|
1 | Nashville, Tennessee | Private | trevecca.edu |
| Huntsville Bible College (HBC) |
Certificate (1-2 yrs)
|
1 | Huntsville, Alabama | Private | huntsvillebiblecollege.org |
| Horizon University |
Bachelor's
|
1 | Indianapolis, Indiana | Private | horizonuniversity.edu |
Frequently Asked Questions
Find answers to the most common questions about Lay Ministry programs
How much can I earn with a Lay Ministry degree?
Salaries for Lay Ministry graduates vary by role and location. Directors, Religious Activities and Education earn a median of $54,840 annually, while Religious Workers, All Other earn around $45,120. Geographic location significantly impacts earnings—professionals in Alabama average $65,190 compared to $29,150 in Louisiana. Approximately 33,630 professionals work in related occupations nationwide.
Salary data from U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics OEWS program, May 2024. Earnings vary by experience, employer, and market conditions.
Which universities have the largest Lay Ministry programs?
Currently 48 accredited institutions offer Lay Ministry degrees across the U.S. Programs with the highest enrollment include Gordon-Conwell Theological Seminary (GCTS) (157 graduates), Westminster Theological Seminary (WTS) (100 graduates), and Calvin University (56 graduates).
Program size doesn't necessarily indicate quality—consider factors like faculty expertise, production opportunities, location, and available degree levels when choosing a school.
Data based on IPEDS program completions for 2023-2024 academic year. Numbers reflect programs where students graduated.
Is enrollment in Lay Ministry growing or declining?
Graduate numbers have increased over the past decade, rising from 160 in 2010 to 732 in 2023-24. This represents a 358% increase overall from 2010.
The field remains specialized with steady interest, though opportunities are most concentrated in major metropolitan areas with active arts scenes like New York, California, and Illinois.
Graduate enrollment data from IPEDS, 2010-2024 academic years. Trends reflect reported completions at participating institutions.
What career paths are available with a Lay Ministry degree?
This degree prepares you for roles such as Directors, Religious Activities and Education, Religious Workers, All Other, . Related occupations employ approximately 33,630 professionals nationwide.
Skills in project management, creative leadership, and collaboration also transfer to event planning, arts administration, marketing, and corporate training roles. Many professionals work freelance or on a project basis across theatre, film, and live events.
Career pathways mapped using CIP-SOC crosswalk from the National Center for Education Statistics. Employment data from BLS OEWS May 2024.
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