A Study of the Results of a Program of Continuing Education for Protestant Clergy.

N

19

Age Differences; Behavior Change; Clergy; Conferences; Educational Background; Interpersonal Relationship; Lay People; Leadership Styles; Professional Continuing Education; Protestants; Role Perception

Data on the program of The Institute for Advanced Pastoral Studies were gathered through content analysis of 100 unsolicited letters from conferees, analysis of before and after questionnaires used with a conference and a control groups and given to four spring conferences in 1964, and analysis of the Theological Studies Inventory used before the 1964 spring conference and four months later. It was concluded that temporary changes in role perception and behavior as a result of conference attendance may enable a minister to change in his relationship with laymen from a prima donna or laisez-faire style of leadership to one of "coach-player," changes varying somewhat with age and greatly with denomination. An orientation course can guide the conferee to learn certain principles and sensitize him to his mistakes in preaching, group counseling, or administration, but for lasting learning, additional training and work with laymen outside the church are needed. Parish ministers do a great deal of attitudinal and perceptual learning in a short, intensive experience, but there is need for follow up conferences six months to a year later. (Document includes six tables and a glossary.) (aj)

1969

ED021190