2. Religious Leader
Spiritual multitasker: worship leader, sermon writer, advocate, counselor, and teacher.
Why Now?
The demand for clergy is growing in post-9/11 America, where there is a large cohort of faith seekers. A wave of retirements has left some congregations facing extended searches for a leader. "It's no longer just the white guy in the pulpit," says Brenda Wheeler Ehlers, associate pastor of Morrow Memorial United Methodist Church in Maplewood, New Jersey. Even in some more conservative settings, there are roles for women, such as chaplain.
Getting In
Ehlers's story is common among midlife women in the field. At 43, she was running a successful public relations firm and was restless. "From a young age, I'd always felt the ministry would be part of my life,'' she says. She enrolled in a theological school and got a job as a youth pastor at her own church. She's now working on a doctorate. At church, Ehlers's projects have included youth service trips to Louisiana and to the Haiti-Dominican Republic border.
Pay and Perks
According to salary.com, pay for pastors can range from $48,000 to over $100,000. Ehlers works long hours and pulls in much less money than she used to. One bonus: She sees a lot more of her kids because they go to many church events.
Must Love
Life as a public role model.
To Find Out More
Beliefnet.org has news, blogs, and links relating to many religious faiths.
