In the last article, we presented information on length of service, compensation, and congregations served by the 500+ Presbyterian commissioned lay pastors (CLPs) based on a spring 1997 survey by Research Services. Below are additional findings from the 81% of surveyed CLPs who completed and returned a questionnaire.
Training
More than eight in ten CLPs (82%) received some or all of their CLP training from presbytery staff. A quarter (24%) received at least some training from a seminary or other theological school, with seven in ten training at a PCUSA-affiliated school. Some CLPs (12%) received training at a college or university, in most cases a non-Presbyterian one.
Majorities indicate that their training included preaching (96%), Bible (95%), polity (91%), worship and sacraments (90%), Reformed theology (86%), and pastoral care (66%). In general, more of the CLPs commissioned to serve a specific congregation ("parish CLPs") reported training in certain areas than the more itinerant, pulpit supply group ("supply CLPs"), including Christian education (52% and 33%, respectively), pastoral care (74% and 53%), teaching (48% and 34%), and evangelism (56% and 37%).
Around a quarter of all CLPs report that their training failed to address one or more important topics or skills. Among the topics that these CLPs most frequently cited as missing are pastoral care (listed as absent by 35% of this subset, or 9% overall), administration and other practical skills (34%, 9%), and worship and sacraments (30%, 8%). In addition, at least one of every six CLPs report that, as part of their training, they would like to have received additional training in the areas of preaching (33%), pastoral care (20%), Bible (19%), Reformed theology (17%), and worship and the sacraments (17%).
Religious Background
A majority of current CLPs (62%) have at some time belonged to another (i.e., non-Presbyterian) denomination. Overall, 24% of CLPs were Methodist, and 24%, Baptist, at one time in their life. Most CLPs report a "conversion experience" (71%).
Religious Belief
CLPs are generally quite orthodox in their beliefs, even more so than elders at large and pastors overall on such matters as the virgin birth, the second coming, the centrality of Jesus for salvation, and the existence of Satan. (See the table.)
| PCUSA Elders |
PCUSA CLPs |
PCUSA Pastors |
|
|---|---|---|---|
| Raised in a Presbyterian Church | 45% | 40% | 63% |
| Theological Stand | |||
| Conservative | 43% | 44% | 29% |
| Moderate | 42% | 42% | 44% |
| Liberal | 15% | 13% | 26% |
| Have Had a Conversion Experience | 47% | 71% | not asked |
| Agree that: | |||
| There is Life Beyond Death | 84% | 97% | 96% |
| Jesus was Born of a Virgin | 81% | 91% | 64% |
| Jesus will Return to Earth Someday | 75% | 93% | 82% |
| Satan Exists | 60% | 81% | 58% |
| Only Followers of Jesus Can Be Saved | 47% | 62% | 37% |
| All Great World Religions are Equally True | 24% | 7% | 7% |
*Data for PCUSA elders and pastors from The Background Report for the 1997-1999 Presbyterian Panel (PDS#70360-97250; $5).
Demographic Characteristics
The median age of CLPs is 59 years, above that among elders (55) and pastors (48). Most CLPs are men (70%), currently married (84%), college graduates (64%), and white, non-Hispanic (90%).
Want more details?
For a four-page summary of results, plus a table presenting the percentage responses to each survey question for all CLPs and for the parish and supply subsets, send a $5 check (payable to, and in care of) "Research Services PCUSA" at the 100 Witherspoon address in Louisville.
Email the author: Jack Marcum
Research Services