Becoming a pastor is one of the most rewarding careers you can pursue. One of the most vital components of your application for the post of a pastor is your cover letter. Your application letter for vocation allows you to express your personal views on ministry and your goals for your discipleship.
While the essential qualifications for being a pastor include religious devotion and zeal, professionalism and communication skills are still critical. For that reason, your letter must be well-written and properly formatted. Include your name and contact information in the letter's header, including your physical address, email address and phone number. You should also include the church's mailing address and the date for the day you will submit the entire application package, including the letter.
When you write your salutation, always use "Dear" to begin. You should address the entire search committee using "Dear Members of the XYZ Church Pastoral Search Committee." If there is a head of the search committee, you can address them by name. Also, if the outgoing pastor is still on staff, include their name as a sign of respect. For example, the writers at Cover Letter Ninja explain that reaching out to the current pastor is helpful, or you can use a salutation of "Dear Pastor Jane Doe and Members of the XYZ Church Pastoral Search Committee."