What is a deacon and how to become one

Updated January 8, 2025
2 min read
Quoted Expert
Ray Neste

What general advice would you give to a Deacon?

R

Ray NesteRay Neste LinkedIn Profile

Dean, School of Theology & Missions Professor of Biblical Studies, Union University

Our graduates enter a wide variety of different careers with such a degree, but my essential advice would be the same for each setting. Whether entering local church ministry (pastor, youth pastor, etc.), parachurch ministry, missions, or some other field, I encourage them to stay humble and keep learning. Learn from people in your church or workplace who have been there awhile, so you can learn the particularities of the church and community.
ScoreDeaconUS Average
Salary
3.9

Avg. Salary $49,574

Avg. Salary $59,228

Diversity
2.9
Race

American Indian and Alaska Native 0.44%

Asian 6.66%

Black or African American 11.84%

Hispanic or Latino 9.05%

Unknown 4.00%

White 68.01%

Gender

female 20.27%

male 79.73%

Age - 52
Race

American Indian and Alaska Native 3.00%

Asian 7.00%

Black or African American 14.00%

Hispanic or Latino 19.00%

White 57.00%

Gender

female 47.00%

male 53.00%

Age - 52
Stress Level
8.2

Stress level is high

7.1 - high

Complexity Level
10.0

Complexity Level is advanced

7 - challenging

Work Life Balance
5.3

Work Life balance is fair

6.4 - fair

Deacon career paths

Key steps to become a deacon

  1. Explore deacon education requirements

    Most common deacon degrees

    Bachelor's

    51.9 %

    Master's

    19.5 %

    Associate

    13.0 %
  2. Start to develop specific deacon skills

    Skills
    ascdesc
    Percentages
    ascdesc
    Pastoral Care46.09%
    Community Outreach25.97%
    Bible Study8.39%
    Prayer7.66%
    Oversight6.56%
  3. Complete relevant deacon training and internships

    Accountants spend an average of 3-6 months on post-employment, on-the-job training. New deacons learn the skills and techniques required for their job and employer during this time. The chart below shows how long it takes to gain competency as a deacon based on U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics data and data from real deacon resumes.
  4. Research deacon duties and responsibilities

    • Lead Jr and Sr high youth ministries.
    • Coordinate serving and prayer schedules.
    • Develop and participate in leadership workshops for new leaders and assist new leaders in assuming leadership responsibilities.
    • Develop deacons in fulfilling their respective leadership obligations.
  5. Prepare your deacon resume

    When your background is strong enough, you can start writing your deacon resume.

    You can use Zippia's AI resume builder to make the resume writing process easier while also making sure that you include key information that hiring managers expect to see on a deacon resume. You'll find resume tips and examples of skills, responsibilities, and summaries, all provided by Zippi, your career sidekick.

    Choose From 10+ Customizable Deacon Resume templates

    Build a professional Deacon resume in minutes. Browse through our resume examples to identify the best way to word your resume. Then choose from 10+ resume templates to create your Deacon resume.
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  6. Apply for deacon jobs

    Now it's time to start searching for a deacon job. Consider the tips below for a successful job search:

    1. Browse job boards for relevant postings
    2. Consult your professional network
    3. Reach out to companies you're interested in working for directly
    4. Watch out for job scams

How Did You Land Your First Deacon Job

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Are you a Deacon?

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Average deacon salary

The average Deacon salary in the United States is $49,574 per year or $24 per hour. Deacon salaries range between $26,000 and $92,000 per year.

Average Deacon Salary
$49,574 Yearly
$23.83 hourly

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Updated January 8, 2025

Zippia Research Team
Zippia Team

Editorial Staff

The Zippia Research Team has spent countless hours reviewing resumes, job postings, and government data to determine what goes into getting a job in each phase of life. Professional writers and data scientists comprise the Zippia Research Team.

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