wfn.org | Newsline: Brethren Academy publishes results of 2008 pastoral study project

[CoBNews <CoBNews@brethren.org>]

Newsline: Church of the Brethren News Service, News Director Cheryl Brumbau gh-Cayford, 800-323-8039 ext. 260, cobnews@brethren.org

BRETHREN ACADEMY PUBLISHES RESULTS OF 2008 PASTORAL STUDY PROJECT

(Aug. 17, 2009) Elgin, IL -- In a series of visits to pastors in 2000-01 co nducted by staff and board members of the Church of the Brethren, the follo wing were identified as things that drain pastoral energy: negative attitud es, unhealthy exercise of power, lack of numeric and spiritual growth, apat hy, unrealistic and/or unclear expectations, gender barriers in placement ( difficulty for women), and ambiguity of the pastor's role.

In the midst of the questions and challenges there were also signs of healt h and hope. Pastors spoke of those things that energized them: renewal, ene rgy, and hope through spiritual nurturing and personal development; prepara tion for and leading worship; seeing the difference their ministry makes in  the lives of people; congregations taking new initiatives; ministry growin g out of a sense of vision; and denominational gatherings.

Information, ideas, and insights from these visits, ecumenical studies, and  other sources were
used as the foundation for the proposal for the Sustaining Pastoral Excelle nce (SPE) program of the Brethren Academy for Ministerial Leadership, funde d by Lilly Endowment Inc. SPE was begun in 2004. In 2008, a survey was dist ributed as part of the assessment process for the ongoing SPE program.

The Brethren Academy and its ministry partners, the Church of the Brethren  and Bethany Theological Seminary, with input from the church districts, und ertook this Pastoral Study Project. Its purpose was to better understand th e needs, concerns, and effectiveness of pastors. Christian Community Inc. c onducted the survey, compiled the information, and analyzed the results.

Steve Clapp, director of Christian Community, Inc., stated that the study r evealed:

-- Overall clergy morale in the Church of the Brethren is higher than refle cted in previous studies.

-- There are reasons to be concerned about Church of the Brethren congregat ions relative to membership/attendance, hospitality, and stewardship matter s.

-- Brethren clergy rate their effectiveness relatively high in preaching, w orship leadership, pastoral care, and knowledge of the Bible and theology.  They do not give themselves high ratings in handling conflict, stewardship,  work as change agents, evangelism and church growth, or dealing with sexua lity issues.

-- Brethren clergy have a close connection with their districts but do not  feel as connected with church entities beyond the local level.

-- The majority of Church of the Brethren pastors felt that ministry has be en a blessing to their lives, but a significant minority note that it has n ot been a blessing to their spouses or children.

-- Most of the pastors surveyed rated their physical health as good or exce llent, but a significant number did not exercise on a regular basis and did  not have the healthiest eating habits.

-- The SPE program has had a positive impact on those who participated in t he two tracks (Vital Pastors and Advanced Foundations of Church Leadership)  and on the Church of the Brethren denomination as a whole.

Areas covered in the study project included compensation, insurance, and sa bbath rest; clergy role and morale; concerns about the future; skills for m inistry; health and well-being; denominational connections; the SPE program  and concluding observations.

Peruse the 2008 Pastoral Study Project Final Report at www.bethanyseminary. edu/brethren-academy.

The academy, Bethany Seminary, the Church of the Brethren's Office of Minis try, districts, denominational agencies, and groups of pastors will review  and discuss the Study Project to determine future direction and programing  for addressing pastoral needs and continuing education.

Contact director Julie M. Hostetter at hosteju@bethanyseminary.edu.

The Church of the Brethren is a Christian denomination committed to continu ing the work of Jesus peacefully and simply, and to living out its faith in  community. The denomination is based in the Anabaptist and Pietist faith t raditions and is one of the three Historic Peace Churches. It celebrated it s 300th anniversary in 2008. It counts some 125,000 members across the Unit ed States and Puerto Rico, and has missions and sister churches in Nigeria,  Brazil, the Dominican Republic, Haiti, and India.

># # #

>For more information contact:

>Cheryl Brumbaugh-Cayford
>Director of News Services
>Church of the Brethren
>1451 Dundee Ave., Elgin, IL 60120
>800-323-8039 ext. 260
>cobnews@brethren.org