They may find themselves taking-on the role of youth worker, wedding planner, marriage counsellor or funeral organiser.
And now vicars from across the South West are being offered the chance to become comedians.
A comedy workshop in Exeter entitled 'Stand Up For Jesus – obviously' – is aimed at helping members of the clergy improve their communication skills and promote their faith using humour.
It will see participants test what they have learned live on stage in front of their fellow learners.
The course is being run as part of the South West Christian Resources Exhibition – often dubbed 'the ideal church show' – at Westpoint Arena on Tuesday and Wednesday.
"I hope it will give me fresh ideas on delivery and techniques," said Rev Julie Birkett, from Weston-super-Mare. "I preach regularly and write the occasional comedy sketch.
"Humour can break down barriers and enable truths to be expressed and understood in a fresh way," she added.
Rev John Monaghan, curate at Malmesbury Abbey, Wiltshire said: "There's a lot more colourful rhetoric and humour in the Bible than most give credit for, and for good reason. It's a wonderful tool in communicating any message, and as preachers and communicators of the bible, something that we should be developing as part of our craft.
"I'm not particularly good at stand-up, but I do love trying to make people laugh, and would love to be able to learn a few tricks of the trade to help me communicate more effectively as a church leader and preacher."
Comedian Bentley Browning, who is running the course, said he reckoned Jesus himself was partial to a few gags. "He was a master communicator and storyteller," he said. "Many suggest his allusion to a camel going through the eye of a needle would have been construed as a quip by those listening."
Organisers said that, while most vicars already know that a few good jokes dropped into a sermon will help keep their congregation engaged in an otherwise serious message, more than one or two could do with a little help when it comes to the delivery.
Event organiser, Bill Allen, said he hoped the exhibition would provide "inspiration for leaders and ordinary members of every local church".
"Helping clergy put over the Christian message creatively is just one of our many aims at Westpoint," he said.
"Imagine thousands of people on a Monday morning saying 'I heard this really good joke in church yesterday'. But CRE can only come to the Westcountry once every three years, so be sure not to miss it."
The conference will also include a number of seminars training vicars and church leaders on everything from using PowerPoint presentations to improving their storytelling techniques at Sunday School.
It will be opened by Rt Rev Nick McKinnel, Bishop of Crediton. He said: "I am glad the show is returning to Exeter and very happy to be opening an event which offers a dynamic mix of seminars, workshops, music, theatre and church resources."
