United Methodist Clergywomen Retention Study
Anna Howard Shaw Center, Boston University School of Theology
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Results Tables
Table 1. Primary Reason for Seeking Ordination
|
Primary Reason for Seeking Ordination
|
Frequency
(N=1369; None Listed=17) |
Percent
|
|
Nonspecific Call to Ministry
|
934
|
68%
|
|
Call to the Local Church
|
75
|
5%
|
|
Call to Preach
|
109
|
8%
|
|
Required for Priestly Duties
|
48
|
4%
|
|
Required for Ministry Other Than the Local Church
|
19
|
1%
|
|
Talked Into It
|
6
|
0.4%
|
|
Natural/Logical Progression
|
142
|
10%
|
|
Other
|
36
|
3%
|
Table 2. Primary Appointment Intended After Receiving Elders' Orders
|
Primary Appointment Intended After Elders' Orders
|
Frequency
(N=1361; None Listed=25) |
Percent
|
| Local Church Pastor |
1113
|
82%
|
|
Counseling
|
48
|
4%
|
|
Chaplain
|
69
|
5%
|
|
Campus Ministry
|
27
|
2%
|
|
Missions (with Missions Board)
|
7
|
0.5%
|
|
Youth Ministry
|
7
|
0.5%
|
|
Teaching
|
26
|
2%
|
|
Social/Community Service
|
18
|
1%
|
|
Other
|
46
|
3%
|
Table 3. Primary Reason the Local Church is Best Place of Service
|
Primary Reason Local is Best Place of Service
|
Frequency
(N=1007; None listed=376, 27% of total) |
Percent
|
|
Enjoy; Comfortable; Home
|
126
|
13%
|
|
Committed to the Church as an Institution
|
59
|
6%
|
|
Doing God's Call
|
619
|
61%
|
|
Priestly Duties are Important
|
57
|
6%
|
|
Appreciate Parish Relationships
|
61
|
6%
|
|
Appointment System Secure
|
7
|
0.7%
|
|
Have Not Found Anything Else Yet
|
19
|
2%
|
|
Financial Security
|
8
|
0.8%
|
|
Hours Good for Family
|
10
|
1%
|
|
Too Invested to Leave
|
2
|
0.2%
|
|
Other
|
39
|
4%
|
Table 4. Primary Reason for Seeking Ordination: Ethnic Background of Participants
|
Primary Reason for Seeking Ordination
|
Ethnic Minority Women
(N=111; None listed=2, 2% of total) |
White Women
(N=1250; None listed=13, 1% of total) |
|
Nonspecific Call to Ministry
|
73 (66%)
|
856 (68%)
|
|
Call to the Local Church
|
2 (2%)
|
72 (6%)
|
|
Call to Preach
|
15 (14%)
|
94 (8%)
|
|
Required for Priestly duties
|
7 (6%)
|
40 (3%)
|
|
Required for Ministry Other Than the Local Church
|
0
|
19 (2%)
|
|
Talked Into It
|
0
|
6 (0.5%)
|
|
Natural/Logical Progression
|
11 (10%)
|
130 (10%)
|
|
Other
|
3 (3%)
|
33 (3%)
|
Table 5. Primary Appointment Intended After Elders' Orders: Ethnic Background of Participants
|
Primary Appointment Intended After Elders' Orders
|
Ethnic Minority Women
(N=105; None listed=6, 5% of total) |
White Women
(N=1248; None listed=15, 1% of total) |
|
Local Church Pastor
|
85 (81%)
|
1021 (82%)
|
|
Counseling
|
3 (3%)
|
44 (4%)
|
|
Chaplain
|
4 (4%)
|
65 (5%)
|
|
Campus Ministry
|
4 (4%)
|
23 (2%)
|
|
Missions (with Missions Board)
|
1 (1%)
|
6 (0.5%)
|
|
Youth Ministry
|
0
|
7 (0.6%)
|
|
Teaching
|
2 (2%)
|
24 (2%)
|
|
Social/Community Service
|
1 (1%)
|
17 (1%)
|
|
Other
|
7 (7%)
|
40 (3%)
|
Table 6. Primary Reason the Local Church is Best Place of Service:
Ethnic Background of Participants
|
Primary Reason Local is Best Place of Service
|
Ethnic Minority Women
(N=76; None listed=37, 33% of total) |
White Women
(N=925; None listed=338, 27% of total) |
|
Enjoy; Comfortable; Home
|
6 (8%)
|
119 (13%)
|
|
Committed to the Church as an Institution
|
7 (9%)
|
52 (6%)
|
|
Doing God's Call
|
53 (70%)
|
560 (61%)
|
|
Priestly Duties are Important
|
3 (4%)
|
54 (6%)
|
|
Appreciate Parish Relationships
|
3 (4%)
|
57 (6%)
|
|
Appointment System Secure
|
0
|
7 (0.8%)
|
|
Have Not Found Anything Else Yet
|
1 (1%)
|
18 (2%)
|
|
Financial Security
|
0
|
8 (0.9%)
|
|
Hours Good for Family
|
1 (1%)
|
9 (1%)
|
|
Too Invested to Leave
|
0
|
2 (0.2%)
|
|
Other
|
1 (1%)
|
39 (4%)
|
Table 7. Primary Reason for Seeking Ordination: Marital Status of Participants
|
Primary Reason for Seeking Ordination
|
Never Married (N=217; None listed=5, 2% of total)
|
Ever Separated/
Divorced/Widowed (N=256; None listed=1, 0.4% of total) |
Currently Married
(N=840; None listed=8, 0.9% of total) |
In Committed Relationship
(N=52; None listed=0) |
|
Nonspecific Call to Ministry
|
136 (63%)
|
168 (66%)
|
591 (70%)
|
35 (67%)
|
|
Call to the Local Church
|
8 (4%)
|
16 (6%)
|
49 (6%)
|
2 (4%)
|
|
Call to Preach
|
20 (9%)
|
27 (11%)
|
60 (7%)
|
2 (4%)
|
|
Required for Priestly Duties
|
12 (6%)
|
6 (2%)
|
29 (3%)
|
1 (2%)
|
|
Required for Ministry Other Than the Local Church
|
5 (2%)
|
2 (0.8%)
|
10 (1%)
|
2 (4%)
|
|
Talked Into It
|
0
|
3 (1%)
|
3 (0.4%)
|
0
|
|
Natural/Logical Progression
|
28 (13%)
|
28 (11%)
|
80 (10%)
|
6 (12%)
|
|
Other
|
8 (4%)
|
6 (2%)
|
18 (2%)
|
4 (8%)
|
Table 8. Primary Appointment Intended After Receiving Elders' Orders:
Marital Status of Participants
|
Primary Appointment Intended After Elders' Orders
|
Never Married
(N=216; None listed=6, 3% of total) |
Ever Separated/ Divorced/ Widowed
(N=250; None listed=7, 3% of total) |
Currently Married
(N=839; None listed=9, 1% of total) |
In Committed Relationship
(N=52; None listed=0) |
| Local Church Pastor |
168 (78%)
|
208 (83%)
|
695 (83%)
|
37 (71 %)
|
| Counseling |
3 (1%)
|
14 (6%)
|
28 (3%)
|
3 (6%)
|
| Chaplain |
12 (6%)
|
9 (4%)
|
45 (5%)
|
3 (6%)
|
| Campus Ministry |
6 (3%)
|
4 (2%)
|
14 (2%)
|
3 (6%)
|
| Missions (with Missions Board) |
5 (2%)
|
0
|
2 (0.2%)
|
0
|
| Youth Ministry |
1 (0.5%)
|
0
|
4 (0.5%)
|
2 (4%)
|
| Teaching |
7 (3%)
|
4 (2%)
|
14 (2%)
|
1 (2 %)
|
|
Social/Community Service |
3 (1%)
|
2 (0.8%)
|
12 (1%)
|
1 (2%)
|
| Other |
11 (5%)
|
9 (4%)
|
25 (3%)
|
2 (4%)
|
Table 9. Primary Reason the Local Church is Best Place of Service:
Marital Status of Participants
|
Primary Reason Local Church is Best Place of Service
|
Never Married
(N=156; None listed=66, 30% of total) |
Ever Separated/ Divorced/Widowed
(N=197; None listed=60, 23% of total) |
Currently Married
(N=633; None listed=215, 25% of total) |
In Committed Relationship
(N=23; None listed=29, 56% of total) |
| Enjoy; Comfortable; Home |
12 (8%)
|
17 (9%)
|
90 (14%)
|
5 (22%)
|
| Committed to the Church as an Institution |
10 (6%)
|
11 (6%)
|
38 (6%)
|
0
|
| Doing God's Call |
94 (60%)
|
137 (70%)
|
379 (60%)
|
9 (39%)
|
| Priestly Duties are Important |
15 (10%)
|
8 (4%)
|
30 (5%)
|
3 (13%)
|
| Appreciate Parish Relationships |
13 (8%)
|
7 (4%)
|
38 (6%)
|
3 (6%)
|
| Appointment System Secure |
0
|
2 (1%)
|
5 (0.8%)
|
0
|
| Have Not Found Anything Else Yet |
3 (2%)
|
5 (3%)
|
10 (2%)
|
1 (5%)
|
| Financial Security |
1 (0.6%)
|
3 (2%)
|
3 (0.5%)
|
1 (5%)
|
| Hours Good for Family |
0
|
2 (1%)
|
8 (1%)
|
0
|
| Too Invested to Leave |
0
|
0
|
2 (0.3%)
|
0
|
| Other |
5 (3%)
|
4 (2%)
|
30 (5%)
|
1 (5%)
|
Table 10. Primary Reason for Seeking Ordination: Participants with a Clergy Partner
|
Primary Reason for Seeking Ordination
|
Clergy Partner
(N=389; None listed=4, 1% of total) |
No Clergy Partner
(N=982; None listed=13, 1% of total) |
| Nonspecific call to Ministry |
272 (70%)
|
664 (68%)
|
| Call to the Local Church |
22 (6%)
|
53 (5%)
|
| Call to Preach |
22 (6%)
|
87 (9%)
|
| Required for Priestly duties |
22 (6%)
|
26 (3%)
|
| Required for Ministry Other Than the Local Church |
3 (0.8%)
|
16 (2%)
|
| Talked Into It |
1 (0.3%)
|
5 (0.5%)
|
| Natural/Logical Progression |
41 (11%)
|
101 (10%)
|
| Other |
6 (2%)
|
30 (3%)
|
Table 11. Primary Appointment Intended After Receiving Elders' Orders:
Participants with a Clergy Partner
|
Primary Appointment Intended After Elders' Orders
|
Clergy Partner
(N=390; None listed=3, 0.8% of total) |
No Clergy Partner
(N=973; None listed=22, 2% of total) |
| Local Church Pastor |
332 (85%)
|
782 (80%)
|
| Counseling |
10 (3%)
|
38 (4%)
|
| Chaplain |
16 (4%)
|
53 (5%)
|
| Campus Ministry |
6 (2%)
|
21 (2%)
|
| Missions (with Missions Board) |
2 (0.5%)
|
5 (0.5%)
|
| Youth Ministry |
0
|
7 (0.7%)
|
| Teaching |
7 (2%)
|
19 (2%)
|
| Social/Community Service |
6 (2%)
|
12 (1%)
|
| Other |
11 (3%)
|
36 (4%)
|
Table 12. Primary Reason the Local Church is Best Place of Service: Participants with a Clergy Partner
|
Primary Reason Local Church is Best Place of Service
|
Clergy Partner
(N=299; None listed=94, 24% of total) |
No Clergy Partner
(N=710; None listed=285, 29% of total) |
| Enjoy; Comfortable; Home |
42 (14%)
|
84 (12%)
|
| Committed to the Church as an Institution |
24 (8%)
|
35 (5%)
|
| Doing God's Call |
169 (57%)
|
451 (64%)
|
| Priestly Duties are Important |
18 (6%)
|
39 (5%)
|
| Appreciate Parish Relationships |
19 (6%)
|
42 (6%)
|
| Appointment System Secure |
5 (2%)
|
2 (0.3%)
|
| Have Not Found Anything Else Yet |
7 (2%)
|
12 (2%)
|
| Financial Security |
1 (0.3%)
|
7 (1%)
|
| Hours Good for Family |
3 (1%)
|
7 (1%)
|
| Too Invested to Leave |
1 (0.3%)
|
1 (0.1%)
|
| Other |
10 (3%)
|
30 (4%)
|
Table 13. Primary Reason for Seeking Ordination: Denominational Background of Participants
|
Primary Reason for Seeking Ordination
|
Reared Methodist
(N=923; None listed=13, 1% of total) |
Reared Non-Methodist
(N=417; None listed=1, 0.2% of total) |
| Nonspecific Call to Ministry |
616 (67%)
|
295 (71%)
|
| Call to the Local Church |
54 (6%)
|
21 (5%)
|
| Call to Preach |
74 (8%)
|
32 (8%)
|
| Required for Priestly Duties |
26 (3%)
|
21 (5%)
|
| Required for Ministry Other Than the Local Church |
15 (2%)
|
4 (1%)
|
| Talked Into It |
4 (0.4%)
|
2 (0.5%)
|
| Natural/Logical Progression |
108 (12%)
|
32 (8%)
|
| Other |
26 (3%)
|
10 (2%)
|
Table 14. Primary Appointment Intended After Receiving Elders' Orders:
Denominational Background of Participants
|
Primary Appointment Intended After Elders' Orders
|
Reared Methodist
(N=921; None listed=15, 2% of total) |
Reared Non-Methodist
(N=412; None listed=6, 1% of total) |
| Local Church Pastor |
748 (81%)
|
343 (83%)
|
| Counseling |
33 (4%)
|
13 (3%)
|
| Chaplain |
44 (5%)
|
24 (6%)
|
| Campus Ministry |
19 (2%)
|
7 (2%)
|
| Missions (with Missions Board) |
3 (0.3%)
|
3 (0.7%)
|
| Youth Ministry |
6 (0.7%)
|
1 (0.2%)
|
| Teaching |
16 (2%)
|
10 (2%)
|
| Social/Community Service |
16 (2%)
|
2 (0.5%)
|
| Other |
36 (4%)
|
9 (2%)
|
Table 15. Primary Reason the Local Church is Best Place of Service:
Denominational Background of Participants
|
Primary Reason Local Church is Best Place of Service
|
Reared Methodist
(N=680; None listed=256, 27% of total) |
Reared Non-Methodist
(N=306; None listed=112, 27% of total) |
| Enjoy; Comfortable; Home |
90 (13%)
|
35 (11%)
|
| Committed to the Church as an Institution |
40 (6%)
|
19 (6%)
|
| Doing God's Call |
402 (59%)
|
202 (66%)
|
| Priestly Duties are Important |
38 (6%)
|
18 (6%)
|
| Appreciate Parish Relationships |
46 (7%)
|
14 (5%)
|
| Appointment System Secure |
6 (0.9%)
|
1 (0.3%)
|
| Have Not Found Anything Else Yet |
13 (2%)
|
5 (2%)
|
| Financial Security |
4 (0.6%)
|
2 (0.7%)
|
| Hours Good For Family |
8 (1%)
|
2 (0.7%)
|
| Too Invested to Leave |
2 (0.3%)
|
0
|
| Other |
31 (5%)
|
8 (3%)
|
Table 16. Participants In/Out of Local Church Ministry: Jurisdiction
|
Jurisdiction
|
In Local Church Ministry
|
Out of Local Church Ministry
|
| North Central (N=427) |
313 (73%)
|
114 (27%)
|
| Northeastern (N=338) |
233 (69%)
|
105 (31%)
|
| Western (N=168) |
126 (75%)
|
42 (25%)
|
| South Central (N=195) |
125 (64%)
|
70 (36%)
|
| Southeastern (N=258) |
172 (67%)
|
86 (23%)
|
Table 17. Frequency of Participants In/Out of Local Church Ministry:
Ethnic Background of Participants
|
Ethnicity
|
In Local Church Ministry
|
Out of Local Church Ministry
|
| Asian (N=20) |
13 (65%)
|
7 (35%)
|
| Black (N=61) |
36 (59%)
|
25 (41%)
|
| Hispanic (N=8) |
6 (75%)
|
2 (25%)
|
|
Native American |
0
|
0
|
| Pacific Islander (N=1) |
1 (100%)
|
0
|
| White (N=1262) |
890 (71%)
|
372 (29%)
|
| Multiracial (N=21) |
15 (71%)
|
6 (29%)
|
Table 18. Temporary Exit from Local Church Ministry: Ethnic Background of Participants
|
Ethnicity
|
Have Left and Returned to Local Church Ministry
|
Have Not Left and Returned to Local Church Ministry
|
| Ethnic Minority Women (N=113) |
13 (12%)
|
100 (88%)
|
| White Women (N=1263) |
215 (17%)
|
1048 (83%)
|
Table 19. Participants In/Out of Local Church Ministry: Marital Status of Participants
|
Marital Status
|
In Local Church Ministry
|
Out of Local Church Ministry
|
| Never Married (N=222) |
154 (69%)
|
68 (31%)
|
|
Ever Separated/Divorced/ Widowed |
188 (73%)
|
69 (27%)
|
| Currently Married (N=848; None listed=2, 0.2%of total) |
600 (71%)
|
246 (29%)
|
| In Committed Relationship (N=52) |
21 (40%)
|
31 (60%)
|
Table 20. Temporary Exit from Local Church Ministry: Marital Status of Participants
|
Marital Status
|
Have Left and Returned to Local Church Ministry
|
Have Not Left and Returned to Local Church Ministry
|
|
Never Married |
29 (13%)
|
193 (87%)
|
| Ever Separated/Divorced/ Widowed (N=257) |
36 (14%)
|
221 (86%)
|
| Currently Married (N=848; None listed=2, 0.2%of total) |
154 (18%)
|
694 (82%)
|
| In Committed Relationship (N=52) |
8 (15%)
|
44 (85%)
|
Table 21. Participants In/Out of Local Church Ministry: Participants with a Clergy Partner
|
|
In Local Church Ministry
|
Out of Local Church Ministry
|
| Clergy Partner (N=390) |
287 (73%)
|
106 (27%)
|
| No Clergy Partner (N=993; None listed=2, 0.2% of total) |
682 (69%)
|
311 (31%)
|
Table 22. Temporary Exit from the Local Church: Participants with a Clergy Partner
|
|
Have Left and Returned to Local Church Ministry
|
Have Not Left and Returned to Local Church Ministry
|
| Clergy Partner (N=393) |
78 (20%)
|
315 (80%)
|
| No Clergy Partner (N=995) |
151 (15%)
|
844 (85%)
|
Table 23. Participants In/Out of Local Church Ministry: Denominational Background of Participants
|
|
In Local Church Ministry
|
Out of Local Church Ministry
|
| Reared Methodist (N= 935; None listed=1, 0.1% of total) |
657 (70%)
|
278 (30%)
|
| Reared Non-Methodist (N=417; None listed=1, 0.2% of total) |
290 (70%)
|
127 (30%)
|
Table 24. Temporary Exit from Local Church Ministry: Denominational Background of Participants
|
Denominational Background
|
Have Left and Returned to Local Church Ministry
|
Have Not Left and Returned to Local Church Ministry
|
| Reared Methodist |
154 (16.5%)
|
782 (83.5%)
|
| Reared non-Methodist |
70 (17%)
|
348 (83%)
|
Table 25. Participants In/Out of Local Church Ministry: Primary Reason for Seeking Ordination
|
Primary Reason for Seeking Ordination
|
In Local Church Ministry
|
Out of Local Church Ministry
|
| Nonspecific Call to Ministry (N=934; None listed=2, 0.2% of total) |
670 (72%)
|
264 (28%)
|
| Call to the Local Church (N=75) |
63 (84%)
|
12 (16%)
|
| Call to Preach (N=109) |
75 (69%)
|
34 (31%)
|
| Required for Priestly Duties (N=48) |
29 (60%)
|
19 (40%)
|
| Required for Ministry Other Than the Local Church (N=19) |
6 (32%)
|
13 (68%)
|
| Natural/Logical Progression (N=142) |
89 (63%)
|
53 (37%)
|
Table 26. Temporary Exit from Local Church Ministry: Primary Reason for Seeking Ordination
|
Primary Reason for Seeking Ordination
|
Have Left and Returned to Local Church Ministry
|
Have Not Left and Returned to Local Church Ministry
|
| Nonspecific Call to Ministry N=936 |
157 (17%)
|
779 (83%)
|
| Call to the Local Church (N=75) |
5 (7%)
|
70 (93%)
|
| Call to Preach (N=109) |
21 (19%)
|
88 (81%)
|
|
Required for Priestly Duties |
10 (21%)
|
38 (79%)
|
| Required for Ministry Other Than the Local Church (N=19) |
3 (16%)
|
16 (84%)
|
| Natural/Logical Progression (N=142) |
26 (18%)
|
116 (82%)
|
Table 27. Permanent Exit from Ordained Ministry: Ethnic Background of Participants
|
|
Have Withdrawn/Surrendered Credentials
|
Have Not Withdrawn/ Surrendered Credentials
|
| Ethnic Minority Women (N=113) |
4 (4%)
|
109 (96%)
|
| White Women (N=1263) |
39 (3%)
|
1224 (97%)
|
Table 28. Permanent Exit from Ordained Ministry: Marital Status of Participants
|
Marital Status
|
Have Withdrawn/Surrendered Credentials
|
Have Not Withdrawn/Surrendered Credentials
|
| Never Married (N=222) |
5 (2%)
|
217 (98%)
|
| Ever Separated/Divorced/ Widowed (N=257) |
8 (3%)
|
249 (97%) |
| Currently Married (N=848; None listed=2, 0.2%of total) |
25 (3%)
|
823 (97%)
|
| In Committed Relationship (N=52) |
5 (10%)
|
47 (90%)
|
Table 29. Permanent Exit from Ordained Ministry: Participants with a Clergy Partner
|
|
Have Withdrawn/Surrendered Credentials
|
Have Not Withdrawn/ Surrendered Credentials
|
| Clergy Partner (N=393) |
11 (3%)
|
382 (97%)
|
| No Clergy Partner (N=995) |
32 (3%)
|
963 (97%)
|
Table 30. Primary Reasons for Leaving Local Church Ministry Selected by Women Who Have Exited Temporarily or Permanently
|
Primary Reason For Leaving Local Church Ministry
|
Frequency
(N=583; None listed=803, 58% of total) |
Percent
|
| Lack of Support From the Hierarchical System |
90
|
15%
|
| Lack of Opportunity to Use Gifts |
50
|
9%
|
| Too Much Rejection by Churches |
43
|
7%
|
| Cannot Maintain Integrity in this System |
42
|
7%
|
| To Follow a Call to Another Kind of Ministry |
145
|
25%
|
| Do Not Like Local Church Ministry |
5
|
0.9%
|
| Family Responsibilities |
67
|
11%
|
| Financial Reasons |
3
|
0.5%
|
| Health Reasons |
24
|
4%
|
| Other |
114
|
20%
|
Table 31. Reasons for Leaving the Local Church According to Whether Participants Were in Local Church Ministry at the Time of the Questionnaire
|
Primary Reason For Leaving Local Church Ministry
|
In the Local Church
(N=242; None listed=727, 75% of total) |
Out of the Local Church
(N=341; None listed=76, 18% of total) |
| Lack of Support From the Hierarchical System |
37 (15%)
|
53 (16%)
|
| Lack of Opportunity to Use Gifts |
20 (8%)
|
30 (9%)
|
| Too Much Rejection by Churches |
26 (11%)
|
17 (5%)
|
| Cannot Maintain Integrity in this System |
14 (6%)
|
28 (8%)
|
| To Follow a Call to Another Kind of Ministry |
48 (20%)
|
97 (28%)
|
| Do Not Like Local Church Ministry |
0
|
5 (1%)
|
| Family Responsibilities |
33 (14%)
|
34 (10%)
|
| Financial Reasons |
2 (0.8%)
|
1 (0.3%)
|
| Health Reasons |
8 (3%)
|
16 (5%)
|
| Other |
54 (22%)
|
60 (18%)
|
Table 32. Reasons for Leaving the Local Church Selected by Participants Who Have Left Ordained Ministry
|
Primary Reason For Leaving Local Church Ministry
|
Frequency
(N=36; None listed=7, 16%of total) |
Percent
|
| Lack of Support From the Hierarchical System |
8
|
22%
|
| Lack of Opportunity to Use Gifts |
3
|
8%
|
| Too Much Rejection by Churches |
3
|
8%
|
|
Cannot Maintain Integrity in this System |
9
|
25%
|
| To Follow a Call to Another Kind of Ministry |
2
|
6%
|
| Do Not Like Local Church Ministry |
0
|
0%
|
| Family Responsibilities |
0
|
0%
|
| Financial Reasons |
0
|
0%
|
| Health Reasons |
2
|
6%
|
| Other |
9
|
25%
|
Table 33. Additional Reasons for Leaving Local Church Ministry Selected by Women Whose Primary Reason Was to Follow a Call to Another Kind of Ministry.
|
Reason for Leaving Local Church Ministry
|
Frequency
(Numbers below are a combination of responses to a second and a third reason) |
Percent
|
| Participants Who Did Not List a Second Reason |
38
|
27%
|
| Participants Who Did Not List a Third Reason |
67
|
48%
|
| Lack of Support from the Hierarchical System |
20
|
14%
|
| Lack of Opportunity to Use Gifts |
37
|
26%
|
| Too Much Rejection by Churches |
14
|
10%
|
| Cannot Maintain Integrity in this System |
18
|
12%
|
|
Do Not Like Local Church Ministry |
10
|
7%
|
| Family Responsibilities |
26
|
18%
|
| Financial Reasons |
12
|
8%
|
| Health Reasons |
5
|
3%
|
| Other |
34
|
24%
|
Table 34. General Results of Interview Content Analysis
|
Category
|
Positive Only
(% of category total) |
Ambivalent
(% of category total) |
Negative Only
(% of category total) |
Total
(% of total observed effects) |
| Institutional |
22%
|
18%
|
60%
|
44% (N=387)
|
| Congregational |
39%
|
13%
|
48%
|
28% (N=247)
|
| Personal |
43%
|
7%
|
50%
|
24% (N=209)
|
| Community |
25%
|
2%
|
73%
|
5% (N=44)
|
| TOTAL |
32%
|
13%
|
55%
|
100% (N=887)
|
Table 35. Institutional Category Results for Interview Content Analysis
|
Item
|
Positive Only
(% of item total) |
Ambivalent
(% of item total) |
Negative Only
(% of item total) |
Total
|
| Appointment System |
15%
|
11%
|
74%
|
22% (N=87)
|
| District Superintendent |
31%
|
19%
|
50%
|
18% (N=70)
|
| Support |
24%
|
41%
|
35%
|
25% (N=95)
|
| Bishop |
49%
|
10%
|
41%
|
11% (N=41)
|
| Sexism |
0%
|
0%
|
100%
|
13% (N=52)
|
| Salary |
0%
|
0%
|
100%
|
8% (N=17)
|
| Theology |
15%
|
0%
|
85%
|
3% (N=13)
|
| Feminism |
50%
|
17%
|
33%
|
2% (N=6)
|
| Access to Resources |
30%
|
10%
|
60%
|
3% (N=10)
|
| Other |
0%
|
8%
|
92%
|
3% (N=13)
|
| TOTAL |
22% (N=86)
|
18% (N=69)
|
60% (N =232)
|
100% (N=387)
|
Table 36. Primary Reason for Leaving Local Church Ministry: Ethnic Background of Participants
|
Primary Reason for Leaving Local Church Ministry
|
Ethnic Minority Women
(N=48; None listed=65, 58% of total) |
White Women |
| Lack of Support from the Hierarchical System |
13 (27%)
|
77 (14%)
|
| Lack of Opportunity to Use Gifts |
4 (8%)
|
46 (9%)
|
| Too Much Rejection by Churches |
5 (10%)
|
38 (7%)
|
| Cannot Maintain Integrity in this System |
0
|
41 (8%)
|
| To Follow a Call to Another Kind of Ministry |
10 (21%)
|
135 (25%)
|
| Do Not Like Local Church Ministry |
0
|
5 (0.9%)
|
| Family Responsibilities |
5 (10%)
|
62 (12%)
|
| Financial Reasons |
0
|
3 (0.6%)
|
| Health Reasons |
2 (4%)
|
22 (4%)
|
| Other |
9 (19%)
|
106 (20%)
|
Table 37. Primary Reasons for Leaving Local Church Ministry: Marital Status of Participants
|
Primary Reason for Leaving Local Church Ministry
|
Never Married
(N=87; None listed=135, 61% of total) |
Ever Separated/ Divorced/Widowed
(N=103; None listed=154, 60% of total) |
Currently Married
(N=355; None listed=493, 58% of total) |
In Committed Relationship
(N=36; None listed=16, 31% of total) |
| Lack of Support from the Hierarchical System |
13 (15%)
|
21 (20%)
|
52 (15%)
|
3 (8%)
|
| Lack of Opportunity to Use Gifts |
12 (14%)
|
9 (9%)
|
27 (8%)
|
2 (6%)
|
| Too Much Rejection by Churches |
11 (13%)
|
8 (8%)
|
22 (6%)
|
2 (6%)
|
| Cannot Maintain Integrity in this System |
2 (2%)
|
6 (6%)
|
21 (6%)
|
13 (36%)
|
| To Follow a Call to Another Kind of Ministry |
22 (25%)
|
27 (26%)
|
89 (25%)
|
6 (17%)
|
| Do Not Like Local Church Ministry |
0
|
1 (1%)
|
3 (0.8%)
|
1 (3%)
|
| Family Responsibilities |
1 (1%)
|
9 (9%)
|
56 (16%)
|
1 (3%)
|
| Financial Reasons |
0
|
1 (1%)
|
2 (0.6%)
|
0
|
| Health Reasons |
5 (6%)
|
2 (2%)
|
15 (4%)
|
1 (3%)
|
| Other |
20 (23%)
|
19 (18%)
|
68 (19%)
|
7 (19%)
|
Table 38. Results of Crosstabulations between Selected Interview Items and In/Out of Local Church Ministry, Controlling for Marital Status, Among Interview Participants
|
Item
|
Chi-Square Statistic (df=1)
|
P-Value
|
| MARRIED: Institutional: Appointment System District Superintendent Bishop Congregational: Support |
............ ............ ............ ............ |
.02* .46 .63 .02* |
| NOT MARRIED: Institutional: Appointment System District Superintendent Bishop Congregational: Support |
............ ............ ............ ............ |
.60 .10* .08* .18 |
| * indicates significance (p<=.10) | ||
Table 39. Results of Crosstabulations between Selected Interview Items and In/Our of Local Church Ministry, Among Interview Participants
|
Item
|
Chi-Square Statistic (df=1)
|
P-Value
|
| Personal: Marriage Clergy Couple Children Workload Salary |
5.11248 ............ 3.24013 ............ (only negative effects) |
.02* .04* .07* .58 ............ |
| Institutional: Appointment System District Superintendent Support Bishop Theology Sexism |
|
.05* .08* .11 .16 .53 ............ |
| Congregational: Support Relations with Women Feminism Theology Expectations of Congregation Authority |
7.32392 ............ ............ ............ ............ ............ |
.007* .10* .11 .30 .68 .67 |
| Community: Support Isolation Acceptance |
............ ............ ............ |
.29 .75 .60 |
| * indicates significance (p<=.10) | ||
Table 40. Congregational Category Results for Interview Content Analysis
|
Item
|
Positive Only
(% of item total) |
Ambivalent
(% of item total) |
Negative Only
(% of item total) |
Total
|
| Support |
59%
|
21%
|
20%
|
32% (N=80)
|
| Authority |
11%
|
0%
|
89%
|
8% (N=19)
|
| Relations with Women |
39%
|
21%
|
39%
|
13% (N=33)
|
| Relations with Men |
39%
|
13%
|
48%
|
9% (N=23)
|
| Theology |
22%
|
7%
|
70%
|
11% (N=27)
|
| Congregational Expectations |
14%
|
0%
|
86%
|
11% (N=28)
|
| Expectations of Pastor |
10%
|
0%
|
90%
|
4% (N=10)
|
| Feminism |
54%
|
16%
|
29%
|
10% (N=24)
|
| Other |
33%
|
0%
|
67%
|
1% (N=3)
|
| TOTAL |
39% (N=96)
|
13% (N=33)
|
48% (N=118)
|
100% (N=247)
|
Table 41. Personal Category Results for Interview Content Analysis
|
Item
|
Positive Only
(% of item total) |
Ambivalent
(% of item total) |
Negative Only
(% of item total) |
Total
|
| Workload |
31%
|
4%
|
65%
|
12% (N=26)
|
| Marriage |
57%
|
6%
|
37%
|
30% (N=63)
|
| Crisis: marriage |
75%
|
0%
|
25%
|
2% (N=4)
|
| Crisis: health |
18%
|
9%
|
73%
|
5% (N=11)
|
| Theology |
78%
|
0%
|
22%
|
4% (N=9)
|
| Clergy Couple |
40%
|
10%
|
50%
|
14% (N=30)
|
| Access to Resources |
67%
|
11%
|
22%
|
4% (N=9)
|
| Children |
38%
|
7%
|
55%
|
14% (N=29)
|
| Other |
46%
|
18%
|
36%
|
5% (N=11)
|
| TOTAL |
43% (N=90)
|
7% (N=14)
|
50% (N=105)
|
100% (N=209)
|
Table 42. Primary Reasons for Leaving Local Church Ministry: Participants with a Clergy Partner
|
Primary Reason for Leaving Local Church Ministry
|
Clergy Partner
(N=172; None listed=221, 56% of total) |
No Clergy Partner
(N=412; None listed=583, 59% of total) |
| Lack of Support from the Hierarchical System |
21 (12%)
|
69 (17%)
|
| Lack of Opportunity to Use Gifts |
15 (9%)
|
35 (8%)
|
| Too Much Rejection by Churches |
15 (9%)
|
28 (7%)
|
| Cannot Maintain Integrity in this System |
11 (6%)
|
31 (8%)
|
| To Follow a Call to Another Kind of Ministry |
37 (22%)
|
108 (26%)
|
| Do Not Like Local Church Ministry |
1 (0.6%)
|
4 (1%)
|
| Family Responsibilities |
26 (15%)
|
41 (10%)
|
| Financial Reasons |
0
|
3 (0.7%)
|
| Health Reasons |
9 (5%)
|
15 (4%)
|
| Other |
37 (22%)
|
78 (19%)
|
Table 43. Results of Crosstabulations between Selected Interview Items and In/Out of Local Church Ministry, Controlling for Clergy Partner, Among Interview Participants
|
Item
|
Chi-square Statistic (df=1)
|
P-Value
|
| CLERGY PARTNER: Institutional: Appointment System District Superintendent Bishop Congregational: Support |
............ ............ ............ ............ |
.08* .69 .40 .19 |
| NO CLERGY PARTNER: Institutional: Appointment System District Superintendent Bishop Congregational: Support |
|
.26 .07* .25 .02* |
| * indicates significance (p<=.10) | ||
Table 44. Additional Reasons for Leaving Local Church Ministry Selected by Participants with Clergy Partners Whose Primary Reason was to Follow a Call to Another Kind of Ministry
|
Reason for Leaving Local Church Ministry
|
Frequency
(Numbers below are a combination of responses to a second and a third reason) |
Percent
|
| Participant who did not list a second reason |
10
|
28%
|
| Participants who did not list a third reason |
20
|
56%
|
| Lack of Support from the Hierarchical System |
6
|
17%
|
| Lack of Opportunity to Use Gifts |
9
|
25%
|
| Too Much Rejection by Churches |
2
|
6%
|
| Cannot Maintain Integrity in this System |
4
|
11%
|
| Do Not Like Local Church Ministry |
0
|
0%
|
| Family Responsibilities |
7
|
19%
|
| Financial Reasons |
4
|
11%
|
| Health Reasons |
2
|
6%
|
| Other |
7
|
19%
|
Table 45. Primary Reason for Leaving Local Church Ministry: Denominational Background of Participants
|
Primary Reason for Leaving Local Church Ministry
|
Reared Methodist
(N=397; None listed=539, 58% of total) |
Reared Non-Methodist
(N=178; None listed=240, 57% of total) |
| Lack of Support from the Hierarchical System |
51 (13%)
|
38 (21%)
|
| Lack of Opportunity to Use Gifts |
36 (9%)
|
12 (7%)
|
| Too Much Rejection by Churches |
30 (8%)
|
13 (7%)
|
| Cannot Maintain Integrity in this System |
23 (6%)
|
19 (11%)
|
| To Follow a Call to Another Kind of Ministry |
99 (25%)
|
44 (25%)
|
| Do Not Like Local Church Ministry |
4 (1%)
|
1 (0.6%)
|
| Family Responsibilities |
52 (13%)
|
12 (7%)
|
| Financial Reasons |
1 (0.3%)
|
2 (1%)
|
| Health Reasons |
19 (5%)
|
4 (2%)
|
| Other |
82 (21%)
|
33 (19%)
|
Table 46. Primary Reasons for Leaving Local Church Ministry: Primary Reason for Seeking Ordination
|
Primary Reason for Leaving Local Church Ministry
|
Nonspecific Call to Ministry
(N=399; None listed=537, 57% of total) |
Call to the Local Church
(N=14; None listed=61, 81% of total) |
Call to Preach
(N=47; None listed=62, 57% of total) |
Required for Priestly Duties
(N=22; None listed=26, 54% of total) |
Required for Ministry Other Than the Local Church
(N=12; None listed=7, 37% of total) |
Natural/ Logical Progression
(N=65; None listed=77, 54% of total) |
| Lack of Support from the Hierarchical System |
67 (17%)
|
4 (29%)
|
7 (15%)
|
3 (14%)
|
2 (17%)
|
5 (8%)
|
| Lack of Opportunity to Use Gifts |
30 (8%)
|
0
|
5 (11%)
|
3 (14%)
|
3 (25%)
|
7 (11%)
|
| Too Much Rejection by Churches |
28 (7%)
|
2 (14%)
|
4 (9%)
|
3 (14%)
|
0
|
4 (6%)
|
| Cannot Maintain Integrity in this System |
34 (9%)
|
0
|
1 (2%)
|
1 (5%)
|
1 (8%)
|
3 (5%)
|
| To Follow a Call to Another Kind of Ministry |
96 (24%)
|
3 (21%)
|
10 (21%)
|
7 (32%)
|
5 (42%)
|
15 (23%)
|
| Do Not Like Local Church Ministry |
3 (0.8%)
|
0
|
1 (2%)
|
0
|
0
|
1 (2%)
|
| Family Responsibilities |
51 (13%)
|
1 (7%)
|
1 (2%)
|
0
|
0
|
12 (18%)
|
| Financial Reasons |
0
|
1 (7%)
|
1 (2%)
|
0
|
0
|
1 (2%)
|
| Health Reasons |
18 (5%)
|
0
|
3 (6%)
|
0
|
0
|
3 (5%)
|
| Other |
72 (18%)
|
3 (21%)
|
14 (30%)
|
5 (23%)
|
1 (8%)
|
14 (22%)
|
| Previous: Chapter Three | Contents Page | Next: Methods |
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This page was last updated on February 20, 2001.
