RELIGION COMMUNITY Historical Society, C1873 &

a Newsletter of the Project The Changing Role on Religion and Urban Culture OF CLERGY Spring 2001 Vol. 5, no. 2 Several years ago, Rev. Michael Ross stepped down as pastor of a Nazarene church on the west side of after only a brief tenure. “It wasn’t a good fit,” Ross says. “There was a lot of tension and so I resigned—probably before I was kicked out.” After that, he took time off to recover and “try to find my identity.”

During this sabbatical, something odd happened. He began to get calls from pastors who wanted 1 to leave the ministry themselves. “I was hoping they would call to empathize with me,” he says, “but The Changing Role of Clergy more called to congratulate me. And then I began to realize that some significant things are happening 4 in the pastorate.” Foundations and the Clergy Three years ago, Ross started the Indianapolis-based Pastor’s Institute to help clergy who have recently left the ministry. The Institute sponsors a series of gatherings in cities across the nation, where from 8 to 12 ex-ministers meet and share their stories. “Healing takes place,” said Ross, who leads the sessions. “They leave with permission to make good choices about their future.” The Institute conducts an ongoing survey of former clergy to learn their reasons for leaving the ministry. (The survey is posted online at www.pastorsinfocentral.com.) More than 100 5 people have responded to date. From their Clergy Training responses, and from what he has learned at the 6 gatherings of former clergy, Ross concludes that Fresh Currents his original insight that “some significant things are 8 happening in the pastorate” has been confirmed. Products “The biggest response I get is that pastors feel like they’re running a small nonprofit organization— they’re managers, not shepherds,” Ross said. The demand that clergy possess the skills of a corporate executive “puts the pastor in a mode of running a This issue represents the last in the series of Religion & Commu- business and trying to make the business grow. nity. To view all issues of this series, please visit our Web site continued on page 2 at www.thepoliscenter.iupui.edu.

Chapel, Christian Theological Seminary, Indianapolis. The Polis Center/Religion & Community 2

“The church has a counterpart to everything,” he said. “The world has bookstores, TV stations, entertainment, so we’ll have those things too. We’ll have a Christian Yellow Pages. It’s competition, and you get tired of it, so you just say no. Burnout isn’t the issue. It’s disillusionment. It’s the feeling that the role of clergy has changed, and you don’t buy into it anymore.” For all of the discontent that Ross’s research has turned up, there is no looming shortage of clergy. In most denominations, there is an oversupply. Two sociologists at the University of Notre Dame, however, recently argued that the oversupply actually reflects a loss in the “occupational prestige” of the ministry. In the 1970s, the nation’s social-service sector created millions of new jobs, and many people who once would have enrolled in seminary instead entered social-service work. The vacuum created by their absence was filled by a large number of “nontraditionals”—older students seeking to enter the ministry as a second career, and women, who now compose about 10 percent of the clerical ranks. In some seminaries, women students are now a majority. In the view of some, seminaries began admitting second and third-tier students because the first-tier students pursued other careers. These trends—the changing responsibilities of clergy and the rising number of nontra- ditional seminarians—have combined to create ferment and uncertainty within the ministry. Both clergy and Americans in general say that clergy should serve as a prophetic presence in American culture. According to a recent survey conducted in Indianapolis In the 19th century, Indianapolis by The Polis Center, more than three-fourths of residents believe clergy should have at preachers such as Henry Ward least a moderate amount of influence on civic affairs. But other evidence suggests that Beecher wielded great influence clergy feel strong pressure to confine themselves to matters directly affecting their as pastors and as public figures. congregations. Courtesy Indiana Historical Society, C5893. In her dissertation, political scientist Sue Crawford reported that Indianapolis clergy are pulled in different directions regarding community activism: denominational leaders encourage it, while congregation members discourage it. Crawford said that the majority of congregational outreach consists of what she called “gapfilling” activity—for example, providing food and monetary assistance to the poor. Only a small minority of the clergy in her study were involved in activism that aimed to accomplish social reform or promote a legislative agenda.

Saints Peter and Paul Cathedral. Courtesy Archdiocese of Indianapolis. Photo by Charles Schisla. 3 The Polis Center/Religion & Community

RESOURCES

Sue E.S. Crawford, Clergy at Work in the Secular City (Ph.D. dissertation, Indiana University, 1995).

Chang, Patricia M.Y. and Viviana Bompadre, “Crowded Pulpits: Observa- tions and Explanations of the Clergy Oversupply in the Protestant Churches, 1950-1993,” Journal for the Scientific Study of Religion, September 1999.

James L. Guth, et al., The Bully Pulpit. The Politics of Protestant Clergy (Univer- sity Press of Kansas, 1997).

William A. Mirola, “Religious Attitudes in Indianapolis: A Survey,” Research Notes Revival Meeting, Indianapolis. (The Polis Center), May 2000. Courtesy Indiana Historical Society, C5760. William A. Mirola, “Indianapolis Clergy: Private Ministries, Public Figures,” Comparing the level of modern clergy activism with that of earlier eras is difficult, in Research Notes (The Polis Center), the absence of hard data. The evidence from the decades of the social gospel movement November 2000. (1890s - 1910s) and even from the civil rights movement (1950s - 1960s) is largely anecdotal. It can be misleading to generalize about the role of clergy based on examples of a few well- Olson, Laura, Sue E.S. Crawford and known activist clergy from earlier times. James L. Guth, “Changing Issue Agendas of Women Clergy,” Journal for the Since the 1960s, the general trend within American religion has been toward conserva- Scientific Study of Religion, June 2000. tism. As Crawford notes, conservatives tend to invest their time and effort in programs that “target individual outcomes” rather than social reform. Clergy in Indianapolis today are less activist, probably, than clergy in previous generations. This decline is rooted in a variety of factors—among them, a theological emphasis on the individual over the social, the increas- ing amount of time clergy spend on administrative tasks, and a perceived demand by congre- gations that clergy focus on members and their needs. As well, the rise of other activists, such as lobbyists and community organizers, has reduced the need, perhaps, for clergy to be politically active. But tending to their own congregations has been the primary focus of clergy for most of this city’s history. “After all that I’ve read and seen from the data, I’m not convinced that the role of the clergy has shifted much,” said Bill Mirola, a sociologist at Marian who conducted The Polis Center’s survey. “I don’t think Indianapolis ever had the kind of social gospel commitment that, say, Chicago had. This city does not have a significant community organizing tradition.” Mirola said that in the past, “We looked to the clergy as a source of commentary on what was going on in the community—or at least we expected to hear from them as moral arbiters. Now that role is filled by politicians, community leaders, and academics. If there happen to be clergy among them, that’s fine. If not that’s fine. It depends on what the issue is.”

Ted Slutz The Polis Center/Religion & Community 4

SUPPORTINGFoundations and the Clergy THE CALL:

The ministry is both alike and purpose was and continues utterly unlike other professions. to be to identify, support, and One may honorably and effec- develop fresh talent for Christian tively pursue a career in other ministry. In 1959, the Fund fields without having a voca- established a second program tion—a profound, felt calling— called the Rockefeller Doctoral for the work. As a servant of Fellowships, designed to support God, a member of the clergy is outstanding young scholars who presumed to have experienced might be lured to teach in schools a calling to that role. of theology and divinity. Ministry is alike other In recent years, the Fund professions in that it requires for Theological Education fell on years of training and education— hard times, only to be revived at the end of which the candi- by an infusion of funds from date enters into service that is Lilly Endowment Inc. Based in unusually demanding, and often Indianapolis, Lilly Endowment Faced with an aging clergy, foundations are making poorly rewarded. There are any has become the foremost sup- special efforts to interest young people in the ministry. number of practical reasons not porter of programs to enhance “I hear people speak of a quence of “professionalizing” to enter the ministry; though the recruitment, training, and demographic shift,” says Michael the clergy. For this reason, some aspiring candidates may be support of clergy. (Other major Smith, director of field ministry are calling for a rededication to uniquely dedicated, they require contributors in the field include at Christian Theological Semi- “the culture of the call.” The support and encouragement to the Booth Ferris Foundation, the nary in Indianapolis. “We have importance of attracting the get there. It is in recognition of Andrew Mellon Foundation, and more who are coming after a young to the ministry comes the obstacles, and of the part the Pew Charitable Trusts.) career change.” Smith says that down to a matter of passion. played by religion in shaping Recently, Lilly Endowment the average age of incoming According to the noted preacher society, that charitable founda- announced that it would be students at CTS is 40, with some and scholar Dr. Thomas G. tions have come to play a major granting $90 million to students being in their 70s. Long, the need is to attract those role in the cultivation and and universities around the “Lilly’s major concern is the who will view ministry as “a support of clergy. country, “to examine how faith dearth of young people going thrilling whitewater ride down “Religion is a critical part commitments can affect decisions into ministry,” Wolfram says. the river of human experience.” of American culture,” says Jan young people make about their “Look at other professions: the In a recent initiative, Lilly Shipps, professor emeritus of futures.” percentage of lawyers under the Endowment awarded $14 Religion at Indiana University The Endowment’s efforts age of 35 hasn’t changed. The million to theological schools Purdue University Indianapolis. in the area of religion have two percentage of clergy under 35 to develop programs for high “A decline in the quality of the main goals, says spokesperson has dropped precipitously.” school youth. Calvin College, a clergy is an issue that is bound Gretchen Wolfram: the calling, No one doubts that talented Christian institution in Grand to concern everyone.” nurturing, educating, and support- and committed people of an Rapids, Michigan, recruits high The Fund for Theological ing of clergy; and building vital older age are entering the clergy, school juniors judged to be Education was founded in 1953 congregations. “The two are very Wolfram says. But there are some outstanding in academic and to address a perceived crisis in much intertwined,” says Wolfram. in this category who may view leadership abilities. The pro- the recruitment of Protestant clergy. For the past half century, the profession as “undemanding.” gram invites the students to Nathan Pusey, president of schools of theology have labored She cites William H. Willimon, spend two weeks on the Calvin Harvard University, and Henry under the suspicion that they dean of the Duke University campus, and two weeks in Pitney Van Dusen, president of no longer attract the best and Chapel, who has spoken of Israel, with the aim of persuad- Union Theological Seminary, brightest students. The public seminary students who “appear ing them to consider the ministry sought support from the realm has grown increasingly to be attracted to the church as as a career. Duke’s Willimon says Rockefeller Brothers Fund to secular, and clergy no longer some kind of secure living. You this program gives the church a underwrite a “trial year” of command the respect and authority know, someone who says, ‘After chance to say to talented young divinity school for promising they once did, neither as public my third divorce, I thought people, “God is telling us to tell but undecided candidates for figures nor as the leaders of their about, well, why not seminary?’ ” you that we need you to become the ministry. The program’s flocks. The average age of clergy Shipps says that an empha- leaders.” is climbing, as is the age at which sis on formal training has had new candidates for the ministry the perhaps unintended conse- Robert Cole are entering seminary. 5 The Polis Center/Religion & Community

Schools Offering

CLERGY TRAININGin Indianapolis

Indianapolis is home to a highly , located regarded seminary, and to a in the former University Heights number of other colleges and Hospital on the south side of universities offering religious Indianapolis, is affiliated with education and training for clergy. Calvary Tabernacle Church, a United Pentecostal denomination. Christian Theological Seminary White it is not a seminary, (CTS) offers eight graduate-level Indiana Bible College offers a degree programs leading to the bachelor’s degree in theology. Master of Divinity degree, the Enrollment is 255 and climbing Doctor of Ministry degree, and steadily, according to David Master of Arts degrees in Christian Brown, dean of students. The education, church music, pastoral students are generally young, counseling, marriage & family just out of high school or in their therapy, theological studies, and early 20s. About half are female. Chapel, Christian Theological Seminary. sacred theology. CTS originated as the College , on degree. Enrollment this year is “many students have unresolved of Religion at the east side of Indianapolis, offers 120. Student demographics issues,” such as the death of in 1925, associated with the bachelor’s degrees in pastoral haven’t changed much over the loved ones or witnessing Christian Church (Disciples of studies, elementary education, past several years, according to violence. “We are focusing more Christ). In 1958, Christian international mission, urban Jeremy Wilhelm, the school’s intentionally on healing,” says Theological Seminary assumed ministries, Biblical counseling registrar. About 60 percent are Smith. “Because we have smaller its present name when it was and youth ministries. Its back- the students are full time, and classes—15 to 25 per class—we reconstituted as an independent ground is Baptist, although it has they’re seeing a few more can take a more personalized entity and relocated to its own no denominational affiliation. While middle-aged students. approach.” campus in the Butler-Tarkington the college was established to serve area. The school maintains its older, married, working students, offers a affiliation with the Disciples of the students are getting younger, bachelor’s degree in religious Kathy Whyde Jesse Christ, but is ecumenical in according to President Charles studies, and graduate programs orientation, with over 30 Ware. About 40 percent are female. in urban ministry, pastoral denominations represented among Enrollment is 223. The school counseling, religious education, its students. started out predominately African- parish ministry, and advanced As is true of other seminaries American, but is now 46 percent Biblical studies. About 25 around the country, CTS is white. “Our desire is to have a percent of students in the experiencing a demographic multi-ethnic school,” Ware says. graduate programs are active shift in the students it attracts: clergy seeking an advanced they are older, and slightly more Heritage Baptist University in degree. Sixty percent are female; than half are women. The average Greenwood is an Independent 70 percent are African-American. age is 40. Many are second-career Baptist Bible college, established Total school enrollment is 650. people coming from fields such in 1955. In addition to under- Enrollment is up, according to as law, education, and the graduate degrees in Biblical Wayne Smith, chair of the nonprofit sector, says Michael studies, pastoral studies, mission, graduate program for urban Smith, the school’s director of education and sacred music, it ministry, and the student field education. The majority of offers the Master of Divinity population is getting younger. students intend to enter the Because the school has a mission ministry or related fields such as to reach out to the poor, he says, church music or mission work. The Polis Center/Religion & Community 6

FRESH CURRENTS TAUGHT BY CONGREGATIONS: How Clergy are Being Trained on the Job

We expect our clergy to be Fundamentalist, Evangelical, “We don’t question people’s educated, both in the general and Pentecostal denominations— calling,” says White. “Through sense and in ways specific to the most rapidly growing segment exposure to the real world of their calling. Their charge is to among Christian churches—have ministry—visiting the sick or teach as well as counsel and lead traditionally allowed ordination prisoners, or academic study— by moral example. This expecta- by individual congregations, the fellowship tends to weed out tion is common to all great without requiring formal seminary those who discover that it wasn’t religions. Rabbi means teacher— training for clergy. As these what they thought.” Jesus was called rabbi—and denominations mature, however, There are currently about imam connotes a scholar. The they are moving toward more 50 people in the fellowship; great universities of Europe were formal structures and require- most are from the congregation. founded by or regarded as being ments, while continuing to train The success of the program may in service to the Catholic Church. their clergy within congregations. be judged by the number of In America, the Puritan preach- Some mainline churches, people from Light of the World ers who led the first English meanwhile, are moving to identify, now in seminary or serving in settlements came with degrees nurture, and support potential the ministry. In addition to those from Oxford or Cambridge and candidates for the ministry within attending other seminaries, there they founded our first universi- their congregations. Whether are currently 10 from the ties; the original mission of mainline or not, the more ambi- congregation studying at Chris- Harvard and Yale, among others, tious programs for in-house tian Theological Seminary in was for the education of clergy. clergy training tend to be located Indianapolis. White says she Among mainline denomina- in large congregations having doesn’t know the exact figure, tions, a pattern developed for significant resources. but there are “more than 20” the education of clergy similar Debra Peoples-White is currently active clergy who came to that of other professions, such associate pastor of Christian from the congregation of Light as medicine or law: an under- education and programs at Light of the World. graduate degree in the liberal of the World Christian Church. The rapid growth of indepen- arts; followed by graduate training A predominantly African- dent, evangelical churches has in a seminary or school of American congregation of the had a profound effect on the theology; then ordination and mainline Disciples of Christ training of clergy. Historically, posting to a congregation as denomination, Light of the World evangelicals have not followed Dan Moseley’s preaching pastor. This is still the model, is one of the largest churches in the traditional path of college though increasingly clergy are Indianapolis. The church’s and divinity school to ordina- class at Christian Theologi- receiving training within the Ecumenical Covenant Christian tion. The Pentecostal movement cal Seminary. congregations they serve. Fellowship program, she says, that originated early in the 20th attracts lay people “who think century placed a premium on they may have a calling.” direct apprehension of the Holy Participants in the program Spirit, rather than formal learning. range in age from high schoolers As the evangelical move- to at least one octogenarian. The ment has matured, however, it fellowship meets twice a month too has moved in the direction for training in prison ministry, of providing more training and youth ministry, and other outreach education for its clergy, by and service programs. There is a developing its own institutions separate “seminary track” for and innovative programs. those who intend to go into Brian Peters is pastor of regular ministry. The training is education at Community practical and hands-on. Church of Greenwood, a large independent congregation in a suburb of Indianapolis. As with Catholic and mainline denomina- tions have emphasized formal academic training for clergy. 7 The Polis Center/Religion & Community

many evangelical congregations, “We have a program where Community Church “grows its we grow new churches within own,” with a variety of training this congregation,” says Peters. and educational programs. “We have 12 daughter churches Community Church serves and several granddaughter as one of six satellite campuses churches. It’s not formalized, for Trinity Evangelical Divinity but it’s a very intentional effort.” School, a fully-accredited institu- He says that the church tion in Illinois. “The TEDS generally has at all times a church program is aimed at those who “planter” on staff. “They work are currently full-time pastors,” here for a year or two before says Peters. Most of the students starting their own church.” come from outside the congre- Typically the planter comes gation, mainly from indepen- from outside the congregation. dent churches in the area. “Pastor Charles Lake tries to “These pastors have been keep our membership at around ordained by their congregations 2,000,” Peters says. “We don’t Fundamentalist, Evangelical, and Pentecostal congrega- or denominations,” Peters says, want to be any bigger than that. “though they have not received a The planter is identified as such tions have traditionally “grown their own” clergy. degree from a school of divinity. to our people, and at the right Dan Moseley, professor of academy. The churches are This program allows them to time we will say, ‘Here is the practical parish ministry at going to have to reclaim their receive a masters degree while location of the new church, and Christian Theological Seminary, role, and find new ways of continuing to work as pastors.” you know who the pastor will had a full career as a working training their pastors, with the Students can take all required be—pray about it.’ Every two pastor—which makes him seminaries supplanting that courses for the Master of Divinity or three years, 50 to 100 of our somewhat of an anomaly in the training. degree at Community Church, members will leave with the planter academic world of the seminary. “I was a pastor for 30 but for one three hour course to found a new congregation.” “I occupy a chair created to years,” he concludes. “I was which much be taken at the Jim Mathias is pastor of bring actual preachers into the taught by congregations.” Chicago campus of Trinity Midtown Vineyard Community seminary,” he says. “Generally, Evangelical Divinity School. Church, an independent congre- Ph.D.s in specific academic fields “There is a growing recogni- gation that he planted after teach in seminaries. I have a Robert Cole tion that lay people bring life serving a three year apprenticeship Doctorate of Ministry rather experience to ministry that can’t at Vineyard Christian Fellowship than a Ph.D.” be learned in school,” says Peters. in Indianapolis. Mathias previously He says that many clergy “People in the congregation can worked in business. He has today are “like deer caught in relate better to someone who has taken courses through Trinity the headlights. They have a worked in business and dealt Evangelical Divinity School, but stunned look.” Ministry, he says, with life issues, just as they have— doesn’t hold a divinity degree. is “the only profession where rather than someone who has The general route to ordina- you get your degree and are spent his whole life inside the tion in Vineyard churches, he then supposed to be able to do church.” says, is to be licensed as a lay it without apprenticeship. It’s Peters says that while he is minister, then to serve three years almost like a hazing process.” pastor of education, he doesn’t in a congregation in an assistant Moseley says that judicato- have a divinity degree. “I was capacity. At the end of that period, ries are beginning to recognize trained as a lawyer, and practiced the candidate is examined by that seminaries alone can’t create law for ten years.” He will, he ordained ministers, after which effective pastors. “The churches says, be taking courses in theology he may be ordained by the abdicated to the seminaries, at a and ministry through the TEDS congregation. time when the seminaries were program. “Vineyard is a church planting an arm of the church,” he says. Community Church doesn’t movement,” he notes. “Eventu- “Now seminaries are part of the just train new clergy—in some ally, I will be looking to train cases, it provides them with a someone.” Photo Credits congregation. Courtesy Christian Theological Seminary: pp. 1, 5, 6. Kim Charles Ferrill: p. 6 Tyagan Miller: pp. 4, 7. PRODUCTSFrom the Project on Religion and Urban Culture

Books Exhibits Neighborhood Timelines (4 issues) Forthcoming Video The Encyclopedia of Indianapolis Falling Toward Grace (an expanded Prologue: The Role of Religion in Religion and Public Life will be an Falling Toward Grace: Images of selection of photographs from Shaping 20th Century Indianapolis 11-part series examining three Religion and Culture from the the book, exhibited at the (6 issues, published on The main themes: The Indianapolis Heartland Indianapolis Museum of Art; also Polis Center Web site) Religious Landscape; Private Faith Voices of Faith: Making a Difference at the Indianapolis Art Center.) Newsletters and Public Lives; and Religion’s in Urban Neighborhoods Place in the City. The videos will Forthcoming Exhibits Religion & Community (7 issues) constitute a basic curriculum on Forthcoming Books Covenant: Living in the Presence of Responsive Communities (19 issues) the role of religion in public life. Atlas of Indianapolis Religion God, at the Indianapolis Museum Research Notes (12 issues) Urban Tapestry of Art, Fall 2002. Clergy Notes (26 issues) Spirit and Place Festival Sacred Circles and Public Squares Curriculum Database In partnership with other local See You in Church?: Religion and institutions, The Polis Center Religion and American Community: The Project has produced a rich Culture in Urban America initiated and sponsors the Spirit Teaching the Role of Religion in database, with information on Rising Expectations: Urban and Place Festival each American History (published on over 400 of the 1,200 congrega- Congregations, Welfare Reform, November. The festival features The Polis Center Web site) tions in Marion County; the and Civic Life nationally known authors as well database is now being prepared A Public Charity: Religion and Occasional Publications as local artists, writers, dancers, for use by outside researchers. Social Welfare in Indianapolis Ten Good Questions About and performers who creatively Souls of the City: Metropolitan Faith-based Partnerships and Videos explore the links between Growth and Religious Change Welfare Reform Religion as a Window on Culture spirituality, creativity, and in America Faith & Community: A Historic (six-part series) community in Indianapolis. Walking Tour Faith and Community in Broadripple

Non-Profit Org. U.S. Postage PAID Permit #4245 RELIGION Indianapolis, IN COMMUNITY

is a newsletter of the Project on& Religion and Urban Culture at the Polis Center, funded by a grant from Lilly Endowment Inc. For further information, contact:

IUPUI 1200 Waterway Boulevard Indianapolis, IN 46202

Phone: (317) 274-2455 fax: (317) 278-1830 e-mail: [email protected] home page: http://www. thepoliscenter.iupui.edu