In May 1998, a survey developed by Research Services for the Workgroup to Study the Role and Status of Christian Educators in the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) was mailed to all 1,123 members of the Association of Presbyterian Christian Educators (APCE) who are also affiliated with the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.). Completed surveys were received from 875 educators (response rate of 72%).

Who Are the PCUSA's Christian Educators?

• Christian educators are predominantly female (85%) and married (74%) – percentages similar to those for PCUSA members as a whole. Their average age is 47, somewhat younger than members and elders (average age of 55), but similar to the average age of pastors (48). Almost half of Christian educators live in the South; only one-third of members, elders, and pastors live in the South.
• While a sizeable minority of educators (42%) have at some time been affiliated with another denomination, all but 2% are currently Presbyterians. The average educator has been a Presbyterian for 36 years. In contrast, the average member has been a Presbyterian for 24 years.
• Like pastors, most educators (64%) have an advanced degree. Four in ten of those with master's degrees have an M.Div.; another 40% have a master's degree in religious or Christian education. The largest percentage of those with master's degrees (37%) received that degree from a PCUSA seminary (most often Princeton, McCormick, San Francisco, or Louisville). One-quarter have their master's degree from the Presbyterian School of Christian Education (PSCE).
• Just 9% of educators have a doctoral degree; one-half of these have a D.Min., 29% have a Ph.D., and 16% have an Ed.D. Almost half of these educators received their doctorate from a PCUSA seminary – most from McCormick or Union/VA.
• Most Christian educators are neither ordained not certified. Just 17% are Certified Christian Educators, 6% are Certified Associate Christian Educators, 1% are Certified Minister of Christian Education, and 2% are Enrolled Educational Assistant. One-third are ordained elders (only 3% currently serve on session); 14% are ordained deacons (1% currently serve on board of deacons); and 24% are ordained Minister of Word and Sacrament. One-quarter of educators are currently working toward certification.

Entering the Field of Christian Education

• Typically educators entered the field in one of three ways (and often, a combination of these): after studying for the field in school, through a call from their own congregation, and/or as a volunteer. Most educators who are ordained clergy started as Christian educators after education in the field.
• Most Christian educators began working in the field fairly recently (since 1990). Certified educators are the exception – 46% of Certified Christian Educators began as educators before 1980.

Current Call

• Eight in ten educators currently serve a local congregation. Of these, 98% serve a PCUSA congregation. Other organizations served by Christian educators include governing body staffs (13%) and seminaries, theological institutions, and other institutions of higher education (3%).
• Two-thirds serve their current organization in a full-time position. Of those who serve on a part-time basis, most (81%) are paid for at least 20 hours per week.
• Table 1 shows some of the areas in which educators serving congregations differ from those serving elsewhere. Those in congregations are less likely to: be male; serve full-time; be an ordained elder, Certified Christian Educator, or minister of Word and Sacrament; and have a graduate degree.

Table 1: Differences Between Christian Educators Serving in Congregations and Those Serving Elsewhere

• Christian educators typically serve in medium- and large-membership PCUSA congregations: 58% serve congregations with more than 500 members, while only 11% of all PCUSA congregations are that large. Those serving in the smallest congregations (with less than 400 members) are less likely to be Certified Christian Educators and less likely to serve full-time. There is no difference in the percentage who are ordained clergy. However, clergy educators serving small congregations are typically sole pastors who have Christian education as part of their overall responsibilities, while those in larger congregations are typically associate pastors whose primary focus is Christian education.
• Most educators (60% or more) receive annual vacation days (typically 20 days per year), a continuing education allowance, time off for continuing education (typically 10 days per year), and paid holidays (usually less than 10 days per year). A small majority (52%) also receive sick leave. While 40% of educators serving congregations receive medical insurance and pension coverage through the Board of Pensions, about 60% of those serving outside congregations do.
• Figure 1 shows the percentage of Christian educators serving in congregations and of those serving elsewhere who regularly perform typical education activities. Those serving congregations are more likely to report performing most of the tasks shown.
• Almost half of educators (44%) supervise part-time staff, but only 23% supervise full-time staff. Most who supervise others, supervise just one or two other staff members.
• Three-quarters of educators earned between $10,000 and $39,999 for their Christian education work in 1997. Few earn more. Educators serving full-time, those serving outside the local congregation, those serving larger congregations, and those who are either Certified Christian Educator or ordained clergy earn more than others.
• Most educators have a written position description, 84% receive an annual performance appraisal, and three- quarters receive an annual compensation review.

Other Employment

• One-quarter of educators are currently employed outside the field of Christian education – either in addition to or instead of a Christian education position. Of those with a non-Christian education position, about half are so employed full-time and half, part-time. When asked to describe their other position, one-quarter chose "PCUSA pastoral position" and another quarter chose "other position affiliated with the PCUSA." Finally, 28% are employed in a position not affiliated with any religious denomination or organization.

Participation in Congregation, Presbytery, and Professional Development Activities

• Among educators serving in congregations, 73% attend session meetings and 63% attend presbytery meetings, but only 30% have vote at presbytery.
• A majority of respondents report regular participation in national APCE events; far fewer participate in regional APCE events.
• Three-quarters of educators are members of a presbytery or local educators' group; of these, 93% regularly participate in the activities of such a group.

Ordination of Christian Educators

• Overall, 87% of educators favor ordination of at least some educators (usually those with some certification); only 13% believe educators should not be ordained. As Figure 2 shows, non-ordained, non-certified educators (the largest group of Christian educators) are most permissive on this issue they are most likely to favor opening the door to ordination for all educators. Certified Christian Educators and educators who are ordained clergy prefer offering ordination only to those who are in some way certified.
• Most Christian educators (80%) would prefer ordination to the office of "Educator" (see Figure 3).
• Fully 84% of educators strongly agree with this statement: "I feel called by God to the ministry of education." Most of the rest respond "agree." Large majorities also agree or strongly agree with these other statements: "ordination would validate my call to serve in my current position," "I want to be part of the PCUSA system/polity" (e.g., as voting member in governing bodies), and "the nature of my work includes proclamation, preparation for the Sacraments, etc.)."

Summary: Profile of a Typical Christian Educator (APCE Members)