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Children's pastor vs children's minister

The differences between children's pastors and children's ministers can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. It typically takes 2-4 years to become both a children's pastor and a children's minister. Additionally, a children's minister has an average salary of $45,421, which is higher than the $44,525 average annual salary of a children's pastor.

The top three skills for a children's pastor include child care, kids and curriculum development. The most important skills for a children's minister are outreach events, bible studies, and VBS.

Children's pastor vs children's minister overview

Children's PastorChildren's Minister
Yearly salary$44,525$45,421
Hourly rate$21.41$21.84
Growth rate--
Number of jobs8,6588,614
Job satisfaction--
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 63%Bachelor's Degree, 63%
Average age5151
Years of experience44

Children's pastor vs children's minister salary

Children's pastors and children's ministers have different pay scales, as shown below.

Children's PastorChildren's Minister
Average salary$44,525$45,421
Salary rangeBetween $26,000 And $75,000Between $25,000 And $79,000
Highest paying City--
Highest paying state--
Best paying company--
Best paying industry--

Differences between children's pastor and children's minister education

There are a few differences between a children's pastor and a children's minister in terms of educational background:

Children's PastorChildren's Minister
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 63%Bachelor's Degree, 63%
Most common majorTheologyTheology
Most common collegeUniversity of PennsylvaniaUniversity of Pennsylvania

Children's pastor vs children's minister demographics

Here are the differences between children's pastors' and children's ministers' demographics:

Children's PastorChildren's Minister
Average age5151
Gender ratioMale, 60.9% Female, 39.1%Male, 36.5% Female, 63.5%
Race ratioBlack or African American, 11.9% Unknown, 4.0% Hispanic or Latino, 9.1% Asian, 6.7% White, 67.9% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.4%Black or African American, 12.0% Unknown, 4.0% Hispanic or Latino, 9.2% Asian, 6.4% White, 67.9% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.4%
LGBT Percentage16%16%

Differences between children's pastor and children's minister duties and responsibilities

Children's pastor example responsibilities.

  • Create and manage online presence via Facebook.
  • Organize and lead weekly youth group meetings as well as retreats for jr. and sr. high students.
  • Schedule appointments; coordinate summer camps, VBS and all meetings for the children's ministry.
  • Work with children in the VBS.
  • Handle administrative responsibilities and policy development, keep volunteer records and develop a vision manual and serve on leadership team.
  • Handle administrative responsibilities and policy development, keep volunteer records and develop a vision manual and serve on leadership team.

Children's minister example responsibilities.

  • Lead church to incorporate a vision for integrating evangelistic and discipleship efforts.
  • Revamp 5th & 6th grade VBS to be more age appropriate in a large group concept.
  • Plan and give oversight of all children's activities.
  • Perform other various functions as needed including communication with church leadership to ensure efficient operations for church outreach activities.
  • Develop deacons in fulfilling their respective leadership obligations.

Children's pastor vs children's minister skills

Common children's pastor skills
  • Child Care, 35%
  • Kids, 12%
  • Curriculum Development, 11%
  • Outreach Events, 6%
  • Ministry Programs, 5%
  • Children Birth, 3%
Common children's minister skills
  • Outreach Events, 18%
  • Bible Studies, 14%
  • VBS, 12%
  • Children Birth, 8%
  • Oversight, 5%
  • Children Ages, 5%

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