Book Review: "Opportunities in Religious Service Careers" by John Oliver Nelson

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John Oliver Nelson's small but informative book had just been updated when I read it in 2004. Nelson right away explains that a call to religious service is much different than picking a career in another field. Religious service can carry with it prejudice and stigma, as many in today's society grapple with spiritual issues involving the church in their lives.

The book is very small, just one hundred and twenty eight pages of text, but it is a good starting point to launch a more thorough search into the area. Nelson keeps his discussion centered on the three more popular belief systems in North America: Protestant, Catholic, and Judaism although other religions may find something helpful here. Nelson opens with a brief description of vocations in religion, and then discusses offshoots of religious careers that many may not think of. Not everyone is interested in becoming a member of the clergy or preaching in front of a congregation, as Nelson acknowledges. He also notices that some church leaders do not even have a high school diploma but do just as good a job as someone weighted with degrees. Nelson mentions other careers "behind the scenes," as it were. Chaplains for the military, prisons, or hospitals; religion teachers; missionaries; religious musical careers; church administration- all of these are briefly hit on in separate chapters, yet the main thrust of the book deals with worship leaders. An ordinary day in the clergy's life is described, and how much salary and benefits have changed over the years- pastors do not work just one hour a week, and preaching is not "its own reward". The appendices consist of religion yearbooks where more information can be gleaned, other sources of information, and most impressive- a list of addresses and websites for over two hundred accredited theological schools in the United States and Canada. Again, this is not an in-depth search into your soul to see if God is speaking to your heart. Nelson even advises keeping a calling secret, in case your mind is changed later. However, this book is a great place to begin. Nelson is a well known writer and former instructor at Yale's divinity school, so he knows what he is talking about. I recommend this book as a starting point.