The support gap for dual clergy couples

Within this study six levels of support for dual clergy couples with and without children were investigated. Seven dual clergy couples of several synods of the Lutheran Church in two western Canadian provinces were asked open-ended questions about the support they had received in several employment and family related areas. While findings in each of the areas varied, overall, most individuals received the most support from their spouse and little from close friends and relatives often due to physical distance. Support provided by other clergy and church administrators was mixed. Only one major difference was found between couples with and without children. The group without children were more optimistic about the support that would be provided by family and friends in the area of child care while couples with children failed to mention support from friends and family.     

Coping with breast cancer: The roles of clergy and faith

This paper describes the experiences of 103 breast cancer patients with home pastors and hospital chaplains. Attention was directed at the activities of clergy, the degree to which religious and nonreligious interactions were satisfying to the women, and how these related to their personal faith orientation. Because of the issues of sexual identity and attractiveness entailed by breast cancer, the role of female clergy was also explored. It is evident that religion is an extremely important resource for the majority of these breast cancer patients, and an intrinsic religious orientation helps one cope with breast cancer.     

The severely emotionally distressed: A conceptual framework and potential roles for clergy and church

The importance of the clergy in the treatment of emotional distress can not be overestimated. Yet throughout the literature, there is a curious absence of attention to the role of the clergy and church in aiding severely emotionally distressed persons, i.e., those manifesting psychotic symptoms. This study first presents a clinical conceptual framework within which the severely disturbed may be understood. Second, potential roles of the pastor in helping such persons are described, followed by an examination of several common clinical syndromes. Finally, models used by the church on national and local levels to aid the severely distressed are discussed.Dr. Holinger is on the staff of the Psychosomatic and Psychiatric Institute, Michael Reese Hospital, Chicago, Illinois 60616. The research which forms the basis for this paper was done when Dr. Holinger was at the Harvard University School of Public Health, Boston, Massachusetts.     

Spiritual experience and mental distress: A clergy perspective

This qualitative study is based on a small group of clergy in the UK. The study explored the clergy’s views and perceptions on the relationship between spiritual experience and mental distress. Six clergy were interviewed using a semi-structured technique, and the interviews were recorded, transcribed, and analysed thematically. The findings explore the nature of spirituality in relation to mental distress highlighting a relationship between mental distress and spiritual experience and add to the debate surrounding these concepts. Implications and recommendations for future research are discussed.     

From denial to hope: A systemic response to clergy sexual abuse

This article offers a definition of sexual abuse in the ministerial relationship and describes a systemic approach for intervening that cares for the needs of victims and perpetrators, and provides an opportunity for congregations to move from denial to hope both spiritually and organizationally.He is the author of many articles on organizational structure and Christian social action.     

Psychotherapists and the clergy: Fifty years later

Jung's two powerful articles on psychotherapy and the clergy, written in 1928 and 1932. are looked at from the vantage point of fifty years later and the author's experience in conducting analysis with many people from both vocations. He notes that relatively few people achieve the kind of integration of the ego that Jung writes about-an essentially religious experience-wherein the center of their existence now gravitates about the Self. Yet Jung's work and views have had a profound effect on spiritually inclined people of all ages. The predictions of Jung's articles, regarding therapy, the dissemination of pyschology to the masses, and other issues are examined.     

A prevention approach to infidelity among male protestant clergy

Empirical research by Blackmon (1984), Steinke (1989), Muck (1988), and Thoburn (1991), has established the fact that clergy sexual temptation should be an area of concern for the Church. The following article will venture beyond the empirical findings and construct a theoretical model by which we can better understand and prevent sexual temptation. While this model makes use of the data generated by Blackmon, Muck, Somers, Steinke, and Thoburn, it should be understood that the model makes logical inferences from the data which are not necessarily supported by the data. There will be a need to test the model through more sophisticated statistical analysis in the future.Ph.D., marriage and family therapist in private practice in Everett, WA.     

Woman battering: The response of the clergy

This paper examines the response of the church and the clergy to the problem of woman battering. A critical review of the theological foundations which may or may not contribute to violence directed toward females is presented. The research examining the response of the clergy to battered women is reviewed. Clergy report being confronted with the problem of woman battering and experiencing much difficulty in handling situations of this nature. In a study conducted by the authors, traditional attitudes were reflected by some modern day clergy; several clerical responses included female-blaming statements. More progressive clergy in this and other studies recognized woman battering as unacceptable; some are even studying ways to more effectively handle woman battering situations. A series of recommendations are included.Summary of Master's Thesis, Indiana University of PA, Indiana, PA 15705.     

Psychological trauma: What clergy need to know

This article addresses the need for clergy to be better informed regarding the assessment and treatment of post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), and provides a quick reference guide to assist clergy in the recognition of PTSD with guidelines for interventions. In a society that is marked by unprecedented levels of violence and a growing shortage of mental health services, clergy are increasingly confronted with situations involving psychological trauma that require expert crisis intervention skills. This article provides specific, concrete guidelines for clergy confronted with situations that require knowledge about PTSD.     

Defining forgiveness: christian clergy and general population perspectives

The lack of any consensual definition of forgiveness is a serious weakness in the research literature (McCullough, Pargament, & Thoresen, 2000). As forgiveness is at the core of Christianity, this study returns to the Christian source of the concept to explore the meaning of forgiveness for practicing Christian clergy. Comparisons are made with a general population sample and social science definitions of forgiveness to ensure that a shared meaning of forgiveness is articulated. Anglican and Roman Catholic clergy (N = 209) and a general population sample (N = 159) completed a postal questionnaire about forgiveness. There was agreement on the existence of individual differences in forgiveness. Clergy and the general population perceived reconciliation as necessary for forgiveness while there was no consensus within psychology. The clergy suggest that forgiveness is limitless and that repentance is unnecessary, while the general population suggests that there are limits and that repentance is necessary. Psychological definitions do not conceptualize repentance as necessary for forgiveness, and the question of limits has not been addressed, although, within therapy, the implicit assumption is that forgiveness is limitless.     

A survey of clergy practices associated with premarital financial counseling

The purpose of this exploratory study was to gain an understanding of the state of clergy-led premarital financial counseling. Clergy respondents (n = 223) indicated that they often include a financial component in their formal premarital counseling. The most frequently discussed financial topics are budgeting, managing debt and credit, and saving. The most frequently cited obstacles to providing premarital financial counseling are lack of time and lack of subject matter expertise.     

Catholic missions in China: failure to form native clergy

The success and failure of Christianity in China was tied to the missionaries’ ability to accommodate to Chinese culture and the powers that ruled over this vast nation. A number of reasons have been put forward regarding the failure of Christian missions in China. Inability to adapt to native norms, ignorance of Chinese language, association with Western imperialism, rivalries among various religious orders, congregations and missionary societies, and the reluctance to establish a Chinese ecclesiastical hierarchy all contributed to hindering the propagation of the gospel. This paper argues that the main reason for their failure was the refusal of European clergy to hand over the leadership of the church to the Chinese, in spite of Rome’s edicts to establish an indigenous ecclesiastical hierarchy. With local clergy in charge, the issue of language and cultural adaptation would have been resolved. Unfortunately, the native clergy were looked down upon by their Western counterparts, who were mostly motivated by national and institutional interests rather than pastoral concern for the local people. The appointment of the first Chinese bishop, Gregorio Lopéz (Luo Wenzao), was more a political move than a pastoral need.     

Family rituals: Functions and significance for clergy and psychotherapists

Family rituals express patterned, repeated, symbolic communication that is ordered, evocative, socially meaningful, and directly impacts upon family functioning. Seasonal celebrations, rites of passage, family traditions, and patterned family interactions serve to organize the family, mediate individual expectations, regulate family subsystems, and facilitate change. Clergy and psychotherapists can use an understanding of family rituals to better understand individuals in their family context, promote change through prescribing rituals, and help clients create new, healing rituals.     

Working with potentially dangerous persons: What clergy need to know

This article addresses the increasing involvement of clergy in dangerous situations, particularly family violence. It provides a quick reference guide to assist clergy in assessing for the risk of potential violence with suggested interventions. In a society that is marked by unprecedented levels of violence and a shortage of mental health services, clergy are increasingly being confronted by dangerous situations that require expert crisis intervention skills. This article provides specific, concrete guidelines for clergy confronted by violence in ministry.The Earth is full of violence.Genesis 6:13This article is dedicated to the memory of The Reverend Harold M. Eads of Topeka, Kansas who was stabbed to death in his apartment on December 17, 1978 in East Harlem, New York where he served the poor and disinherited as a United Methodist minister.