Theological Occupations

[TruthInvesti]

I love theology and ministering to people, but also maintain a strong love for my girlfriend. I was wondering what avenues there are in the church for those who love theology but want to get married? If I could have an occupation based around theology that would be the dream.

 

[Brendan_64]

Perhaps do a degree on theology and try to get a job teaching it.

 

[TheLittleLady]

Before spending $$ on this degree, I’d advise our OP to research open jobs that require such a degree and what is the pay scale.

I know more than a few people with advanced degrees in Theology who are working retail.

 

[Brendan_64]

Fair point.

 

[LisaB]

It depends: what does your girlfriend do for a living?

With a theology degree you could teach or be something like DRE or another role in the church. But most of these jobs don’t pay well enough to support a family. If your girlfriend has a well paying job though it may not be an issue for you.

Teaching at the university level is probably a dream for many people but it’s not easy to land a professorship, especially full time. So if you are willing to teach high school, you’ll have more job options, provided you are willing to relocate. Lots to consider. I’m in the same boat as you (minus the significant other).

 

[Wm777]

I’m interested in pursuing this route, too, and I have been researching it a great deal.

What I am going to say will probably ruffle feathers, but, I think, if you’re going to take the work seriously, you’re going to have to (as the CCC says) “believe like what you’re doing depends on God, and work like it depends on you” - and remember "he who lives by the sword dies by it, too; zeal for religion will consume you, as it did Christ on the Cross.

That said…

When considering “Theology and Ministering to people”, look at the Catholic community on the whole. I dont mean just the Archdiocese or the Provinces, but also the hospitals, missions, retreat centers, gift shops, websites and communications portals, musicians and artists, business networks and merchants, Colleges and Universities, lobbyists, activists, and professional organizations and on and on. Each of these serves the church as a whole in different ways. Find your niche and passion in it.

Dont buy into the belief that you necessarily have to be poor. Bono of U2 is Catholic and promotes Catholic causes, and he’s loaded. But if you WANT to live in poverty, it is perfectly fine to do so, although we are a ways off from the way people lived in St Francis of Assisi’s day - so you might have trouble adjusting to it. On the other hand, some of the people in the Catholic community make six figures easy. Try browsing the IRS 990 Tax Exempt filings for Catholic orgs and Not for Profits; the 990’s will include the salaries of the board members, asset holdings, grants and fundraising activities, etc… Some of them are dirt poor while others are just the opposite. It really depends on the organization and how well run it is. But note - you probably wont find diocesan parish 990’s listed because they are either not required to file (being churches) or they can get fiscally sponsored under their respective Archdiocese; additionally, the Provinces work in similar fashion.

But - whether you wish to be rich or poor… I dont think it matters… What matters to me is doing your best for Christ, even if it means failing, getting back up and trying again - which is normal…

We need good people in the world, who will let their light shine before others - to bring people together, be peacemakers, set good examples, proclaim the good news, and keep a good Holy and strong Catholic identity. That is our responsibility. To carry the cross. To live and work by one’s beliefs.

Perhaps examen what you mean by “loving Theology” and “ministering to people”. There is a lot of highly significant and very relevant work to do by way of “Theology” and “Ministering to People”. New challenges and innovations appear every day. Embrace them in the name of Christ. Let nothing stand in your way, save God Himself. Stand like a soldier in the Heavenly army - and come hell or high water - Nada Te Turbe!

Godspeed.

 

[angelic06]

Disclaimer: The degree titles are for the U.S. system and those similar to it, as that is the only one with which I am familiar.

Here is my suggestion (and I haven’t tried it myself, but am giving it some thought, not because the combination is useful in terms of monetary gain, but because I have a legitimate interest in the relationship between science and theology):

Become a “secular” worker, such as a physician, dentist, civil lawyer, etc. - there will always be need for these, both paid as well as in the missions.

Then once you have yourself established, get a Master of Arts in Theology and choose electives to explore the relationship between your primary field and the Christian religion. Or alternatively, you can get a Bachelor of Arts in Theology first then use this as a stepping stone into your chosen profession.

Other ideas: I do not know your background, but if you have skills at the organ, you can get a degree in music and add electives in theology and then go for a master of sacred music.

These are only suggestions, of course, as I do not know where you are in life or your interests, but for the record, I have an interest in the interplay between science and medicine, the arts (including traditional music of the Roman rite, such as chant, organ, and polyphony as well as architecture), and theology.

 

[TheLittleLady]

but if you have skills at the organ,

If you are a trained organist, you can basically get a job anywhere and pick up side gigs as well. Organists or Harpists, there are never enough of them to go around!