How to hire a ministry assistant

How to hire a ministry assistant, step by step

Here's a step-by-step ministry assistant hiring guide:

• Step 1: Identify your hiring needs
• Step 2: Create an ideal candidate profile
• Step 3: Make a budget
• Step 4: Write a ministry assistant job description
• Step 5: Post your job
• Step 6: Interview candidates
• Step 7: Send a job offer and onboard your new ministry assistant
• Step 8: Go through the hiring process checklist

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1. Identify your hiring needs

   The ministry assistant hiring process starts by determining what type of worker you actually need. Certain roles might require a full-time employee, whereas part-time workers or contractors can do others.

   Determine employee vs contractor status

   Is the person you're thinking of hiring a US citizen or green card holder?

   Yes

   No

   A ministry assistant's background is also an important factor in determining whether they'll be a good fit for the position. For example, ministry assistants from different industries or fields will have radically different experiences and will bring different viewpoints to the role. You also need to consider the candidate's previous level of experience to make sure they'll be comfortable with the job's level of seniority.

   The following list breaks down different types of ministry assistants and their corresponding salaries.

   Type of Ministry Assistant	Description	Hourly rate
   Ministry Assistant	Secretaries and administrative assistants perform clerical and administrative duties. They organize files, prepare documents, schedule appointments, and support other staff.	$12-22

2. Create an ideal candidate profile

   Common skills:

   • Outreach Events
   • Financial Reports
   • Event Planning
   • Payroll
   • Administrative Tasks
   • VBS
   • PowerPoint
   • Bible
   • Travel Arrangements
   • Graphic Design
   • GOD
   • Background Checks
   • Office Equipment
   • Community Events

   Check all skills

   Responsibilities:

   • Manage yearly summer interns as well as annual VBS registration volunteers by providing direction and act as point of contact.
   • Manage general administrative responsibilities including developing weekly newsletters, Facebook posts, and other ways of keeping people connect.
   • Institute the use of contemporary worship music in the Wednesday night prayer service.
   • Create weekly bulletins and monthly newsletters, visit shut-in's, run the nursery and organize VBS.
   • Collect, analyze and summarize data and trends for friendship registers, prayer requests, headcount information, and bulletin.
   • Create PowerPoint presentation for announcements and special events.

3. Make a budget

   Including a salary range in your ministry assistant job description is one of the best ways to attract top talent. A ministry assistant can vary based on:

   • Location. For example, ministry assistants' average salary in indiana is 43% less than in hawaii.
   • Seniority. Entry-level ministry assistants 43% less than senior-level ministry assistants.
   • Certifications. A ministry assistant with certifications usually earns a higher salary.
   • Company. Working for an established firm or a new start-up company can make a big difference in a ministry assistant's salary.

   Average ministry assistant salary

   $35,069yearly

   $16.86 hourly rate

   ---

   Entry-level ministry assistant salary

   $26,000 yearly salary

   Updated December 30, 2025

4. Writing a ministry assistant job description

   A ministry assistant job description should include a summary of the role, required skills, and a list of responsibilities. It's also good to include a salary range and the first name of the hiring manager. To help get you started, here's an example of a ministry assistant job description:

   Ministry assistant job description example

   Mission Statement
   
   The Salvation Army, an international movement, is an evangelical part of the universal Christian Church. Its message is based on the Bible. Its ministry is motivated by the love of God. Its mission is to preach the gospel of Jesus Christ to meet human needs in His name without discrimination.
   
   Position Summary
   
   The purpose of this position is to assist the Corps Officer(s), and the different corps departments, in the fulfillment of Army mission and oversee outreach programs in the greater Long Beach area.
   
   Essential Functions
   
   Duties and Responsibilities:
   
   Traditional Programs
   
   + Assist the Corps Officer in his/her role with regard to regular corps programming.
   
   + Keep corps rolls current, insuring paper, electronic and database rolls are synchronized and accurately reflect current statistical information.
   
   + Keep corps member contact information updated and current, ensuring electronic databases and printed records reconcile, and that visitors are moved to Recruits roll when necessary.
   
   + Ensure all program participants have Release waivers on file yearly, and that contact information is maintained as noted above.
   
   + Ensure all High Awards are pursued and applied for. Keep records and complete applications for such. These would include, but not limited to, Christian Education and Outreach discipleship programs. This also includes planning review committees.
   
   + Maintain calendar of events, ensuring invitations and reminders are sent digitally, and that paper copies are made for those without computers.
   
   Outreach
   
   + Perform routine visitation.
   
   + Follow-up with visitors to events, whether planned by the Corps.
   
   + Oversee overnight summer camping program registration and family coordination.
   
   Leadership & Training
   
   + Supervise all volunteer or staff leaders who assist with the above-mentioned programs and events.
   
   + Maintain records of all leaders and local officer positions, ensuring warrants and commissions are submitted to DHQ via the Corps Officer.
   
   + Ensure leaders have adequate supplies for programs and coordinate with office staff for refiling.
   
   + Attend, promote and assist with Divisional and Territorial events as directed.
   
   Reporting & Other
   
   + Ensure all necessary statistics for corps programs are compiled by staff and volunteers.
   
   + Assist with the completion and printing of NSS statistics.
   
   + Complete reports as needed for submission to DHQ via the Corps Officer.
   
   + Coordinate any orders or retreats requiring fee collection, ensuring payment from participants.
   
   + Report all property repairs or damage to the facility manager immediately.
   
   + Other special events or duties pertaining to the position as assigned.
   
   Communication
   
   + To enhance communication with the Corps Officers a regular meeting will occur in addition to staff meetings. This will be a time to set goals, discuss ministry progress and other items as deemed necessary. It is expected that Lotus Notes will be utilized to help streamline communication.
   
   Working Conditions
   
   + Must be in good physical health and mental health, capable of meeting the demands of the program.
   
   + Ability to sit, walk, stand, bend, squat, climb, kneel and twist on an intermittent or continuous basis.
   
   + Ability to grasp, push, pull objects such as files, file cabinet drawers, and reach overhead.
   
   + Ability to operate telephone.
   
   + Ability to operate a desktop or laptop computer.
   
   + Ability to lift and carry up to 50 lbs.
   
   + Ability to access and produce information from a computer.
   
   + Ability to understand written information.
   
   + Able to physically supervise persons under 18 years of age, if necessary.
   
   Minimum Qualifications
   
   + One or more years of experience in Salvation Army programs.
   
   + Must possess a thorough working knowledge of, and give competent instruction in, Salvation Army doctrine.
   
   + Must be aware of, implement, and observe all necessary Child Safety (Protecting the Mission) policies.
   
   + Ability to work independently or with other staff members.
   
   + Ability to plan, implement and evaluate outreach programs that will be used to draw people to Jesus and consider The Salvation Army as a church home.
   
   + Ability to work and conduct oneself in a professional manner.
   
   + Must be able to utilize all necessary office and ministry equipment adequately (i.e. computers, copy machines, video projectors, etc.).
   
   + Must be able to keep work area organized, have good time management skills and be able to complete necessary reports in a timely manner.
   
   + Must be a uniform-wearing Salvationist with a good Christian witness.
   
   + Must be able to drive a Salvation Army vehicle.
   
   + Retain a driver's license, be able to drive Salvation Army vehicles (Class B license preferred) and pass all necessary background checks.
   
   + Strong use of the English language in verbal and written communication (Spanish/English bi-lingual preferred).
   
   + Ability to work in fast paced environment and maintain poise under pressure.
   
   + Customer service mind set.
   
   + Can follow business and financial protocols.
   
   + Ability and willingness to keep information confidential.
   
   Skills, Knowledge, and Abilities
   
   + Microsoft Office 365, required.
   
   + Microsoft Outlook, required.
   
   + Working knowledge of integrated database applications and ability to use new software programs with basic training.
   
   + Detail oriented.
   
   + Self-starter.
   
   + Team player.
   
   + Critical thinker.
   
   Qualifications
   
   Licenses & Certifications
   
   Required
   
   + Driver's License
   
   Experience
   
   Required
   
   + Must Possess A Thorough Working Knowledge of, and Give Competent Instruction In, Salvation Army Doctrine.
   
   + Must Be A Uniform-Wearing Salvationist.
   
   + 1 year: Minimum Experience In Salvation Army Program.
   
   Equal Opportunity Employer/Protected Veterans/Individuals with Disabilities
   
   The contractor will not discharge or in any other manner discriminate against employees or applicants because they have inquired about, discussed, or disclosed their own pay or the pay of another employee or applicant. However, employees who have access to the compensation information of other employees or applicants as a part of their essential job functions cannot disclose the pay of other employees or applicants to individuals who do not otherwise have access to compensation information, unless the disclosure is (a) in response to a formal complaint or charge, (b) in furtherance of an investigation, proceeding, hearing, or action, including an investigation conducted by the employer, or (c) consistent with the contractor's legal duty to furnish information. 41 CFR 60-1.35(c)

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5. Post your job

   There are a few common ways to find ministry assistants for your business:

   • Promoting internally or recruiting from your existing workforce.
   • Ask for referrals from friends, family members, and current employees.
   • Attend job fairs at local colleges to meet candidates with the right educational background.
   • Use social media platforms like LinkedIn, Facebook, and Twitter to recruit passive job-seekers.

   Post your job online:

   • Post your ministry assistant job on Zippia to find and recruit ministry assistant candidates who meet your exact specifications.
   • Use field-specific websites.
   • Post a job on free websites.

6. Interview candidates

   During your first interview to recruit ministry assistants, engage with candidates to learn about their interest in the role and experience in the field. During the following interview, you'll be able to go into more detail about the company, the position, and the responsibilities.

   Remember to include a few questions that allow candidates to expand on their strengths in their own words. Asking about their unique skills might reveal things you'd miss otherwise. At this point, good candidates can move on to the technical interview.

   The right interview questions can help you assess a candidate's hard skills, behavioral intelligence, and soft skills.

7. Send a job offer and onboard your new ministry assistant

   Once you've decided on a perfect ministry assistant candidate, it's time to write an offer letter. In addition to salary, it should include benefits and perks available to the employee. Qualified candidates may be considered for other positions, so make sure your offer is competitive. Candidates may wish to negotiate. Once you've settled on the details, formalize your agreement with a contract.

   You should also follow up with applicants who don't get the job with an email letting them know that you've filled the position.

   Once that's done, you can draft an onboarding schedule for the new ministry assistant. Human Resources should complete Employee Action Forms and ensure that onboarding paperwork is completed, including I-9s, benefits enrollment, federal and state tax forms, etc. They should also ensure that new employee files are created for internal recordkeeping.

8. Go through the hiring process checklist

   • Determine employee type (full-time, part-time, contractor, etc.)
   • Submit a job requisition form to the HR department
   • Define job responsibilities and requirements
   • Establish budget and timeline
   • Determine hiring decision makers for the role
   • Write job description
   • Post job on job boards, company website, etc.
   • Promote the job internally
   • Process applications through applicant tracking system
   • Review resumes and cover letters
   • Shortlist candidates for screening
   • Hold phone/virtual interview screening with first round of candidates
   • Conduct in-person interviews with top candidates from first round
   • Score candidates based on weighted criteria (e.g., experience, education, background, cultural fit, skill set, etc.)
   • Conduct background checks on top candidates
   • Check references of top candidates
   • Consult with HR and hiring decision makers on job offer specifics
   • Extend offer to top candidate(s)
   • Receive formal job offer acceptance and signed employment contract
   • Inform other candidates that the position has been filled
   • Set and communicate onboarding schedule to new hire(s)
   • Complete new hire paperwork (i9, benefits enrollment, tax forms, etc.)

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