Clergy Retention in the Church of the Nazarene, the Role of the District Superintendent in Clergy Decision-Making Regarding Persistence in Active Vocational Ministry

Author

Jeren L. Rowell, Olivet Nazarene UniversityFollow

Date of Award

5-2010

Degree Type

Dissertation

Degree Name

Doctor of Education (EdD)

First Advisor

Carl M. Leth

Second Advisor

Mark R. Quanstrom

Third Advisor

Houston Thompson

Scholarship Domain(s)

Scholarship of Discovery

Abstract

The researcher theorized that collecting and analyzing data on variables associated with clergy attrition, particularly the relationship between pastor and district superintendent, would lead toward suggesting strategies for clergy retention that could be applied in the denominational judicatories of the USA and Canada region of the Church of the Nazarene. This study provided a fresh look at the pastor-superintendent relationship. The research demonstrated that superintendents are not and likely will not be highly engaged with pastors in the actual decision-making process regarding persistence in active vocational ministry. However, the study also revealed a strong desire among pastors for the involvement of district superintendents to deliver pastoral care during and after the emotional process of pastoral transition.

Comments

Ed.D. completed in 2010 for Olivet Nazarene University.

Recommended Citation

Rowell, Jeren L., "Clergy Retention in the Church of the Nazarene, the Role of the District Superintendent in Clergy Decision-Making Regarding Persistence in Active Vocational Ministry" (2010). Ed.D. Dissertations. 13.
https://digitalcommons.olivet.edu/edd_diss/13