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An Investigation of the Perceptions of Clergy and Laity on Race-Based Organizational Segregation in the Southern Union Conference of Seventh-Day Adventists" (2009)

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An Investigation of the Perceptions of Clergy and Laity on Race-Based Organizational Segregation in the Southern Union Conference of Seventh-Day Adventists Andrews University Digital Commons @ Andrews University Dissertations Graduate Research 2009 An Investigation of the Perceptions of Clergy and Laity on Race- Based Organizational Segregation in the Southern Union Conference of Seventh-day Adventists David K. Penno Andrews University Follow this and additional works at: https://digitalcommons.andrews.edu/dissertations Part of the Christian Denominations and Sects Commons, and the Organizational Behavior and Theory Commons Recommended Citation Penno, David K., "An Investigation of the Perceptions of Clergy and Laity on Race-Based Organizational Segregation in the Southern Union Conference of Seventh-day Adventists" (2009). Dissertations. 628. https://digitalcommons.andrews.edu/dissertations/628 This Dissertation is brought to you for free and open access by the Graduate Research at Digital Commons @ Andrews University. It has been accepted for inclusion in Dissertations by an authorized administrator of Digital Commons @ Andrews University. For more information, please contact [email protected]. ABSTRACT AN INVESTIGATION OF THE PERCEPTIONS OF CLERGY AND LAITY CONCERNING RACE-BASED ORGANIZATIONAL SEGREGATION IN THE SOUTHERN UNION CONFERENCE OF SEVENTH-DAY ADVENTISTS by David K. Penno Chair: Erich Baumgartner ABSTRACT OF GRADUATE STUDENT RESEARCH Dissertation Andrews University School of Education Title: AN INVESTIGATION OF THE PERCEPTIONS OF CLERGY AND LAITY CONCERNING RACE-BASED ORGANZATIONAL SEGREGATION IN THE SOUTHERN UNION CONFERENCE OF SEVENTH-DAY ADVENTISTS Name of researcher: David K. Penno Name and degree of faculty chair: Erich Baumgartner, Ph.D. Date completed: March 2009 Problem The Seventh-day Adventist Church in the United States maintains a racially segregated organization in a society that has intentionally dismantled segregation in most of its organizations. The church needs to evaluate its current conference organization in light of this reality. The purpose of this study was to describe the perceptions of Seventh- day Adventist clergy and members in two conferences in the Southern Union concerning race-based organizational segregation in the church. Method This study used a mixed method and was descriptive in design. Four focus groups were conducted to explore the dimensions of the research problem. This step was followed by the development of a quantitative survey, which was administered to clergy and members of a White (“state”) conference and the other a Black (“regional”) Conference of the Southern Union Conference of Seventh-day Adventists. Conclusions The study found that members of various ethnic backgrounds and ages in the church are open to the idea of changing the race-based organizational structure in the Adventist Church. Whether they are employed by the church or not, respondents are not comfortable with the current system. They strongly see God calling the church to integration, and they believe that the success of the church’s outreach to the culture demands such a change. They are concerned about how leadership positions would be equitably distributed in an integrated church, but those surveyed see the benefits outweighing these concerns. Respondents indicated minimal support for the idea that separate conferences are necessary for the effective prosecution of the church’s mission. They also seemed to feel that segregation does affect the church’s witness but are unsure of the level of strength of that influence. The respondents indicated that leadership issues rather than worship style may be the primary cause of Caucasians leaving churches where they have become the minority. Respondents perceived a real economic benefit in merging state and regional conferences, though they were uncertain about the impact a merger of conferences would have on job opportunities for clergy. There was no indication that respondents felt a need to hold strongly to the current system. Demographics had less of an impact on responses than was expected. In particular, age was expected to have far more influence than it did. It was expected that the responses of younger members would vary significantly from those of older members, but generally this was not the case. On the other hand, non-employees consistently responded more favorably toward integration than did conference employees. Ethnic groups, particularly African-Americans and Caucasians, were much more in harmony than was expected. Though there were small degrees of difference, there was no sharp disagreement as might be expected for such a sensitive subject. Andrews University School of Education AN INVESTIGATION OF THE PERCEPTIONS OF CLERGY AND LAITY ON RACE-BASED ORGANIZATIONAL SEGREGATION IN THE SOUTHERN UNION CONFERENCE OF SEVENTH-DAY ADVENTISTS A Dissertation Presented in Partial Fulfillment of the Requirements for the Degree Doctor of Philosophy by David K. Penno March 2009 ©Copyright by David K. Penno 2009 All Rights Reserved AN INVESTIGATION OF THE PERCEPTIONS OF CLERGY AND LAITY ON RACE-BASED ORGANIZATIONAL SEGREGATION IN THE SOUTHERN UNION CONFERENCE OF SEVENTH-DAY ADVENTISTS A dissertation presented in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the degree of Doctor of Philosophy by David K. Penno APPROVAL BY THE COMMITTEE: __________________________________ _________________________________ Chair: Erich Baumgartner Dean, School of Education James R. Jeffery __________________________________ Member: Hinsdale Bernard __________________________________ Member: Joseph Warren __________________________________ Member: Delyse Steyn __________________________________ _________________________________ External: Date approved This dissertation is dedicated to the Lord Jesus Christ whose love inspired this study, to my wife Nancy who patiently endured years of study time and tuition payments, and to my brothers and sisters of all ethnic backgrounds who are on the journey with me as we seek to genuinely love each other. iii TABLE OF CONTENTS LIST OF TABLES . vii ACKNOWLEDGMENTS . xii Chapter I. INTRODUCTION . 1 Foreword . 1 Background to the Problem . 6 Statement of the Problem . 7 Purpose of the Study . 8 Research Questions and Related Hypotheses . 8 Rationale for the Study . 9 Theoretical Framework . 10 Significance of the Study . 12 Definitions of Terms . 12 Methodological Assumptions . 14 Methodology . 15 Delimitations of the Study . 15 Limitations of the Study . 15 Summary . 16 II. UNITED IN FAITH OR UNIQUE FOR MINISTRY? . 17 Introduction . 17 Historical Overview . 18 Post-Civil War . 18 Turn of the Century . 20 The Development of the Regional Conferences . 22 1999 Summit on Race Relations . 27 Theological Approaches . 29 Homogeneous Unit Principle . 29 United by Faith . 33 Beyond the Homogeneous Unit Principle. 36 Psychological Dynamics . 38 Sociological Dynamics . 39 Homophily . 39 iv The Costs of Diversity . 42 Reconciliation in South Africa . 43 Current Thinking on Regional Conferences . 44 Summary . 47 III. METHODOLOGY . 48 Introduction . 48 Population and Sample . 48 Research Questions and Related Hypotheses . 50 Research Design. 50 Pilot Study . 51 Instrumentation . 54 Development Process . 54 Final Version of the Survey . 55 Reliability . 55 Procedures . 55 IV. FINDINGS . 58 Introduction . 58 Focus Groups Data . 58 Effectiveness in Mission . 59 Witness to the Culture-at-Large . 59 White Flight . 60 Efficiency and Cost Savings . 60 Cost in Jobs and Opportunities for Clergy . 60 Theological Issues . 61 Creation and Grouping of Survey Questions . 61 Survey Data . 62 Demographic Information . 62 Means for Opinion Questions . 67 Demographic Comparisons . 71 Effectiveness in Mission . 76 Witness to Culture-at-Large . 92 White Flight . 105 Cost Savings and Efficiency . 129 Cost in Jobs Lost . 143 General Evaluation . 150 Summary . 157 V. SUMMARY, CONCLUSIONS, AND RECOMMENDATIONS . 159 Summary . 159 Historical Overview . 159 Theological Approaches . 162 v Psychological and Sociological Dynamics . 163 Demographic Issues . 163 Purpose . 163 Research Design. 164 Findings . 166 Perceptions of How Segregation Impacts Effectiveness for Mission . 167 Perceptions on How the Segregation Impacts Witness to the Culture . 167 Perceptions of White Flight . 167 Perceptions of How Integration Might Impact Economics . 168 Perceptions of How Integration Might Impact Clergy . 168 General Perceptions of Current Segregation . 169 Summary of Perceptions on Segregation . 169 Demographic Variations in Perception . 169 Variation in Perceptions—Effectiveness for Mission. 170 Variation in Perceptions—Witness to the Culture-at-Large . 170 Variation in Perceptions—White Flight . 171 Variation in Perceptions—Cost Savings and Efficiency . 172 Variation in Perceptions—Cost in Jobs and Clergy Opportunities . 172 Variation in Perceptions—General Evaluation . 172 Summary of Demographic Impact on Responses . 173 Conclusions and Discussion . 174 Implications for Practice . 179 Recommendations for Research . 182 Appendix A. SAMPLE QUESTIONS FOR FOCUS GROUPS . 185 B. QUANTITATIVE SURVEY . 187 REFERENCE LIST . 195 VITA . 201 vi LIST OF TABLES 1. Survey Questions by Study Area . 62 2. Years as a Church Member . ..
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