Occupation · SOC 21-2021
Directors, Religious Activities and Education
Coordinate or design programs and conduct outreach to promote the religious education or activities of a denominational group. May provide counseling, guidance, and leadership relative to marital, health, financial, and religious problems.
Median wage
—
Projected growth
—
—
Annual openings
—
per year
Employed (US)
—
Job Zone 4
Typical preparation
Considerable preparation
Stackable credential programs
488 mapped
Core skills
SpeakingSocial PerceptivenessActive ListeningCritical ThinkingActive LearningReading ComprehensionInstructingService Orientation
Knowledge areas
Philosophy and TheologyEducation and TrainingCustomer and Personal ServiceEnglish LanguagePsychology
Technology & tools
Graphics or photo imaging softwareData base user interface and query softwareElectronic mail softwareCalendar and scheduling softwareWeb page creation and editing software
Representative tasks
Develop or direct study courses or religious education programs within congregations.Identify and recruit potential volunteer workers.Select appropriate curricula or class structures for educational programs.
Competency framework
Skill expectations by proficiency level.
emerging
Religious education curricula — review and apply under supervisor guidance when supporting established study courses within a congregation.Volunteer recruitment candidates — identify and compile initial lists using congregation directories and community outreach channels under director oversight.Class structures and scheduling formats — select from pre-approved options when assisting with entry-level religious education programming.Special events logistics — assist in scheduling camps, retreats, or seminars by coordinating room reservations and basic administrative details under supervision.Interpersonal concerns of congregants — listen actively and refer individuals to appropriate counseling or pastoral resources when initial needs are identified.Program participation goals — contribute supporting ideas during team planning meetings with ministry staff and experienced directors.Instructional materials — order and organize supplies, prepare handouts, and confirm speaker arrangements as directed by senior program staff.Electronic mail and calendar software — use to communicate event schedules and distribute educational resources to instructors and volunteers.Office suite and word processing tools — draft correspondence, program agendas, and basic instructional documents for review by supervisors.Theological and educational concepts — demonstrate foundational knowledge of philosophy and theology when supporting lesson delivery in guided classroom settings.
developing
Religious education study courses — develop and facilitate with reduced oversight, adapting content to meet the learning needs of diverse congregation age groups.Volunteer recruitment and onboarding — coordinate outreach efforts, conduct initial interviews, and place volunteers in appropriate roles within established ministry programs.Curricula selection — evaluate and choose appropriate instructional materials and class structures for ongoing religious education programs aligned with congregation goals.Special events calendar — schedule and manage recurring events such as conferences, seminars, and retreats, handling logistical details with minimal director intervention.Individual counseling sessions — conduct structured support conversations addressing interpersonal, health, financial, or religious concerns within established pastoral care protocols.Program goals and participation strategies — collaborate regularly with ministry team members to refine objectives and develop targeted outreach to increase enrollment.Instructional staff — train new religious education teachers using standardized onboarding materials and provide routine performance feedback.Presentation and desktop publishing software — produce polished program materials, bulletins, and promotional content to support educational initiatives.Database and spreadsheet tools — maintain volunteer and participant records, track attendance trends, and generate summary reports for program review.Learning strategies — apply varied instructional approaches across different congregation demographics when facilitating workshops or small-group study sessions.
proficient
Comprehensive religious education programs — design, direct, and continuously improve multi-track study curricula that serve children, youth, and adult congregants across an entire program year.Volunteer workforce — autonomously recruit, screen, place, and retain a diverse pool of volunteer workers to sustain all ministry education functions.Curriculum evaluation and adaptation — independently assess and select instructional frameworks, integrating theological depth with contemporary pedagogical research for non-routine learner populations.Complex event portfolios — plan and execute multi-day conferences, retreat series, and large-scale seminars, managing budgets, vendors, travel, and contingency planning.Pastoral counseling — provide skilled, theologically informed counseling to individuals and families facing significant interpersonal, mental health, financial, or spiritual challenges.Strategic program planning — lead collaborative goal-setting sessions with ministry colleagues, synthesizing diverse perspectives into actionable education program objectives and measurable outcomes.Instructional staff supervision — mentor and evaluate a full team of religious education instructors, diagnosing performance gaps and designing targeted professional development interventions.Administrative systems — oversee end-to-end program implementation including materials procurement, speaker contracting, facility scheduling, and compliance with organizational policies.Web and media platforms — develop and manage web pages and multimedia content to promote religious education programs and extend community engagement beyond the physical campus.Systems analysis and problem solving — diagnose complex organizational or programmatic challenges within the education ministry and implement evidence-based solutions across multiple program areas.
advanced
Religious education vision and strategy — set the long-range direction for all congregational learning ministries, aligning programs with denominational theology, community demographics, and organizational mission.Volunteer and staff talent pipeline — establish organization-wide recruitment, development, and succession frameworks that ensure sustained leadership capacity across all education ministry roles.Curriculum governance — lead the institution-level review, adoption, and continual refinement of curricula standards, ensuring theological integrity and educational excellence across all age cohorts.Multi-site and regional event strategy — design and oversee large-scale conferences, leadership retreats, and inter-congregation educational summits that advance shared ministry priorities.Counseling and care culture — establish pastoral care policies and referral networks, and mentor ministry staff in delivering consistent, ethically grounded counseling support throughout the congregation.Cross-functional ministry leadership — convene and facilitate senior ministry leadership teams to forge consensus on education program goals, resource allocation, and organizational growth strategies.Professional development ecosystem — design and champion organization-wide training systems for religious education staff, integrating coaching, peer learning, and formal credentialing pathways.Organizational policy and administration — author and implement administrative policies governing program operations, risk management, budgeting, and vendor relationships across the education ministry.Public communications and thought leadership — represent the organization in denominational bodies, community partnerships, and media channels, advancing the congregation's educational mission externally.Institutional learning and innovation — lead the evaluation of emerging educational technologies, theological trends, and community needs, translating insights into transformative programmatic change at organizational scale.
Also known as
42 alternate job titles map to this occupation.
Youth Ministry DirectorYouth Development DirectorChristian Education DirectorYouth Development CoordinatorCampus Ministries DirectorYouth and Young Adult Ministries DirectorYouth and Family DirectorWorship DirectorDirector, Religious EducationChildren's Ministries DirectorAdult Ministries DirectorParish Religious Education DirectorMinistries DirectorYouth PastorYouth and Family Ministries DirectorYouth Ministries CoordinatorChildren's Ministry DirectorWomen's Ministries DirectorChildren and Youth Ministries DirectorReligious Activities DirectorRectorFamily Ministries DirectorChurch SupervisorStudent Ministries DirectorChildren and Family Ministries DirectorYouth InstructorSenior Adults DirectorChildren's Ministries CoordinatorYouth DirectorYouth CoordinatorMinistries CoordinatorMen's Ministries DirectorChildren's DirectorCampus Ministry DirectorProgram DirectorDirector of Religious ActivitiesYouth Ministries DirectorReligious Education DirectorReligious Education CoordinatorLeadership Director