Religious Assistants

Religious Assistants support Ministers of Religion or religious communities in performing a variety of religious functions associated with the practise of a religion, including worship, spiritual guidance, and pastoral care and teaching.

  • The Job
  • The Facts
  • Related Courses

What the job involves

  • Conducts services of worship and acknowledgment of faith
  • Delivers sermons, homilies, special talks, and plans music for services
  • Participates in activities of communities, encourages people to be aware of their responsibilities, and organises community projects
  • Conducts classes of religious instruction, and supervises prayer and discussion groups, retreats and seminars
  • Conducts premarital and family counselling and refers people to professional service agencies where necessary
  • Assists with performance of marriages, funerals and special memorial services according to tradition and ecclesiastical and civil law
  • Visits members of the community in their homes, hospitals and other institutions to provide advice and religious comfort
  • Keeps records as required by the church and civil law

Key values of workers in Religious Assistants

  • Relationships

    Occupations that satisfy this work value allow employees to provide service to others and work with co-workers in a friendly non-competitive environment. Corresponding needs are Co-workers, Moral Values and Social Service.

  • Independence

    Occupations that satisfy this work value allow employees to work on their own and make decisions. Corresponding needs are Creativity, Responsibility and Autonomy.

  • Recognition

    Occupations that satisfy this work value offer advancement, potential for leadership, and are often considered prestigious. Corresponding needs are Advancement, Authority, Recognition and Social Status.

  • Working Conditions

    Occupations that satisfy this work value offer job security and good working conditions. Corresponding needs are Activity, Compensation, Independence, Security, Variety and Working Conditions.

  • Support

    Occupations that satisfy this work value offer supportive management that stands behind employees. Corresponding needs are Company Policies, Supervision: Human Relations and Supervision: Technical.

Top skills required for workers in Religious Assistants

  • Active Listening

    Giving full attention to what other people are saying, taking time to understand the points being made, asking questions as appropriate, and not interrupting at inappropriate times.

  • Social Perceptiveness

    Being aware of others' reactions and understanding why they react as they do.

  • Instructing

    Teaching others how to do something.

  • Service Orientation

    Actively looking for ways to help people.

  • Reading Comprehension

    Understanding written sentences and paragraphs in work-related documents.