By Hon. D.D., St. Thomas Christian College, 2010 M. Div., Midwestern
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AN EXPLORATION OF RATES AND CAUSES OF ATTRITION AMONG PROTESTANT EVANGELICAL CLERGY IN THE UNITED STATES By JEROME RICHARD JOHNSTON Hon. D.D., St. Thomas Christian College, 2010 M. Div., Midwestern Baptist Theological Seminary, 2009 Hon. D.D., Liberty Baptist Theological Seminary, 1997 Hon. D.D., Christian Bible College, 1988 Submitted to the Faculty of Theology, Acadia University in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the degree of Doctor of Ministry Acadia Divinity College Acadia University Spring Convocation 2012 © by JEROME RICHARD JOHNSTON 2012 ii This thesis by JEROME RICHARD JOHNSTON was defended successfully in an oral examination on Thursday, April 12, 2012. The examining committee for the thesis was: ____________________________________ Dr. Bruce Fawcett, Academic Dean (Chair) ____________________________________ Dr. Lois Mitchell, External Examiner ____________________________________ Dr. Craig Evans, Thesis Supervisor ____________________________________ Dr. Andrew MacRae, Faculty Reader This thesis is accepted in its present form by Acadia Divinity College as satisfying the thesis requirements for the degree of Doctor of Ministry. iii I, JEROME RICHARD JOHNSTON, hereby grant permission to the Head Librarian at Acadia University to provide copies of this thesis, on request, on a non-profit basis. _____________________________ Author _____________________________ Supervisor _____________________________ Date iv TABLE OF CONTENTS TABLE OF CONTENTS ...................................................................................... IV ABSTRACT…................................................................................................viii ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS .................................................................................... IX DEDICATION……………………………………………………….…………x INTRODUCTION ................................................................................................. 1 CHAPTER 1 PASTORAL ATTRITION AND PERSONAL MOTIVATION ..................... 8 Church Polity ..................................................................................................................... 10 Abortion Practices in Kansas ........................................................................................... 13 Definition of Marriage in Kansas ..................................................................................... 18 Media Retaliation .............................................................................................................. 19 Kansas Politics Relating to Abortion ............................................................................... 21 Tiller’s and Neuhaus’ Relationship .................................................................................. 24 Paul Morrison and Planned Parenthood ......................................................................... 26 Dr. Tiller Goes Free ........................................................................................................... 29 Targeting of First Family Church and My Family ......................................................... 33 Stem Cell Research ............................................................................................................ 39 Suggestions for Pastors Going through Conflict ............................................................. 42 1. Polity ..................................................................................................................... 42 2. Communication ..................................................................................................... 43 3. Marriage ................................................................................................................ 43 4. Legal Advice .......................................................................................................... 44 5. Disclosure .............................................................................................................. 45 6. Politics ................................................................................................................... 47 7. Media ..................................................................................................................... 49 8. Exercise ................................................................................................................. 50 9. The Primacy of Pastoring ...................................................................................... 50 10. Trials ................................................................................................................... 51 Church Polity ..................................................................................................................... 52 Conclusion .......................................................................................................................... 58 CHAPTER 2 THE HIGH CASUALTY RATE AMONG PASTORS ............................60 Southern Baptist Convention............................................................................................ 62 Church of the Nazarene .................................................................................................... 66 Pastor Resiliency ................................................................................................................ 69 Pastoral Attrition ............................................................................................................... 72 Conclusion .......................................................................................................................... 77 CHAPTER 3 THE CAUSES AND CURE OF THE MORAL FAILURE OF PASTORS ....79 Pastor’s Marital Relationship ........................................................................................... 79 Case Study 1: Gary Lamb ................................................................................................. 80 Case Study 2: Jamey Ragle ............................................................................................... 82 Case Study 3: Ray Carroll ................................................................................................ 83 Case Study 4: Floyd Belt, Jr. ............................................................................................ 84 Case Study 5: David Trotter ............................................................................................. 85 v Case Study 6: Devin Hudson ............................................................................................ 87 Restoration: Pastor Brian Bloye, Westridge Church ..................................................... 89 Overcoming Pastoral Misconduct .................................................................................... 90 Statistics on Moral Failure ................................................................................................ 94 High-Profile Moral Failings .............................................................................................. 96 Circumstances Leading to Moral Failure ........................................................................ 97 Social and Psychological Factors Contributing to Moral Failure ............................... 100 Moral Failures and Same-Sex Attraction ...................................................................... 101 Recent Studies on Pastoral Attrition .............................................................................. 103 Current Proactive Denominational Policies .................................................................. 105 Differing Opinions on Moral Failings ............................................................................ 109 Steps To Insure the Health of the Pastor and his Family ............................................. 111 1: In-Church Accountability .................................................................................... 112 2: Peer Accountability—A Pastor for the Pastor .................................................... 113 3: Professional Counseling ..................................................................................... 114 4: Points of Accountability and Concern ................................................................ 115 Conclusion ........................................................................................................................ 117 As we have observed, pastors who fail morally seldom saw themselves as candidates for it. Studies reveal that certain behaviors predispose pastors to moral failure. Wisdom suggests that we should become intimately familiar with these predictors and realize that pastors, and their families, are not above the benefit of qualified counselors and peer mentors. In our next chapter we will find that the growing trend of diminishing church attendance also impacts pastoral longevity. Indeed, the statistics and moral trends are alarming. In response, pastors and church leaders must design churches that not only model biblical fidelity but also target the spiritual, social, and relationship needs of an increasingly fractured society............................. 117 CHAPTER 4 WHY ARE PEOPLE LEAVING THE CHURCH? ...............................118 Social Factors and the Decline in Attendance ............................................................... 121 The Rise of the “Nones” .......................................................................................... 121 Relationships ..........................................................................................................