The Experience of Growing Up in a Minister's Home and the Religious Commitment of the Adult Child of a Minister

A survey of 487pastors' children (PKs) age 25+ was undertaken to ascertain if there was any relationship between the unique aspects of the pastoral family and their relationships, and his or her adult religious commitment. Variables included the feelings of the PK toward moving, consistency of parental behavior, amount and quality of family time, ability to be oneself without being noticed, expectations by others for self-perceived as greater than their expectations for others, the status of having a pastor as a father, and the support of church and members, intimacy with each parent, satisfying parental marriage, and relationships with friends and extended family. All variables correlated with at least some measures of religious commitment although none were strong predictors. The strongest was the PKs' perception that more was expected of him or her. Other influences not examined in this study appear to have a greater impact on adult religious commitment. Qualitative analysis was consistent with the above.