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Caring for Clergy Field Guide

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Interested in participating in the survey?

 

Contributing vital resources and practical tools to the evolving field that cares for clergy 

The demands of ministry can be overwhelming. Thankfully, many clergy rely on a complex network of individuals and institutions for support.

Like Aaron and Hur who lifted the arms of Moses during battle (Ex. 17), these individuals and organizations care for clergy as denominational leaders, funders, pension, benefits, and insurance officers, frontline providers, and continuing educators. Although the work of clergy support has occurred for many years, these professional networks tend to be often segmented and siloed.

 

Project Details

Major Themes

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Organization

Descriptive Analysis
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How is the field organized?

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Conceptualization

Theoretical Analysis
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How do those in the field understand the field and their place in it?

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Activity

Practical Analysis
—
What is taking place in the field?

 

Endorsements

Testimonials

I believe that research such as this is not only important but a literal matter of life and death for those involved in ministry.

Melinda Contreras-Byrd, AME Church

The Association of Theological Schools is pleased to be part of this project to set a direction for research that will allow us to continue to offer meaningful care of clergy into the next decades.

Jo Ann Deasy, Association of Theological Schools

This work is essential for us to identify and address the most pressing gaps so that more clergy can have access to effective and comprehensive care and resources.

David Wang, Biola University

Being better equipped to thrive in your calling as clergy is incredibly important. This field guide will provide you with meaningful insight into helping you continue to step into the work of introducing Christ into the lives and the issues of our families.

Mark Robison, Brotherhood Mutual

Clergy care for others while often neglecting their own care and that of those closest to them. The Caring for Clergy Field Guide research holds great promise for clergy and those who want to help them but often lack research-based guidance.

Lovett H. Weems, Jr., Wesley Theological Seminary

The Caring for Clergy Field Guide will be an incredibly helpful resource for denominations and all those who care for the wellbeing of clergy.

Dave Higle, Wesleyan Church

This timely and much-needed study has been thoughtfully crafted to discern both current practice and future potential for addressing the crucial issue of clergy well-being.

Rick Foss, Evangelical Lutheran
Church in America

The research methodology is sophisticated, thoughtful, and ultimately is meant to translate into practical resources that will benefit the Church. This is a 'must have' resource for anyone who cares for pastors and ministry leaders.

Chris Adams, Azusa Pacific University

As a professional researcher in the area of clergy wellbeing, I congratulate the authors of this initiative. The Caring for Clergy Field Guide is a much-needed resource for church leaders and clergy alike.

Manuela Casti Yeagley, University of Notre Dame

I am excited about the development of the Caring for Clergy Field Guide and encourage anyone who helps pastors flourish to participate however possible! If you are working the soil of pastors' souls, we need to hear and learn from each other!

Paul Kuzma, The Foursquare Church

As health and socio-economic needs have increased across the country and around the globe, the weight on the shoulders of our clergy is heavier than ever. This much needed resource will help strengthen clergy to carry on their good work of sharing the gospel in these times and beyond.

Marc Estes, Senior Pastor Mannahouse, Portland, Oregon

The Caring for Clergy Field Guide provides sound and comprehensive research exploring many aspects of clergy care. The Guide will certainly serve as a resource to help equip pastoral servants for the long haul.

Steve Tungate, Free Methodist Church-USA and Greenville University

This research holds significant promise as it tours the silos across a range of entities and organizations, giving us a view of the constellation of care, and valuable feedback to test what we think we know about how we are doing and inspire our imaginations.

Rev. Dr. Stan Rodes, Church of the Nazarene

Having provided counseling and coaching for ministry leaders over two decades, this project is the first of its kind that I have encountered. It represents a major step forward in the field.

Denny Howard, Livstyle LLC Assessments & Full Strength Network

The work of pastoral ministry has never been more challenging, and clergy need to feel supported from all angles. Yet, we know too little about those support networks. Fostering a greater understanding around these care networks is vital for sustaining the real work of ministry.

David King, Lilly Family School of Philanthropy and Cooperative Baptist Fellowship

The Caring for Clergy Field Guide is asking important questions to serve pastors for years to come.

Andy Cook, Billy Graham Center,
Wheaton College

 

FAQs

What topics will be studied?

The Caring for Clergy Field guide examines the national clergy support network of funders, pension and benefits officers, denominational leaders, frontline providers, and continuing educators. The project has three main objectives: 1) to scan and map the field's main actors and trends, 2) to highlight the leading models, and 3) to identify the most pressing gaps and obstacles. When published, we hope that this resource might become an agenda setting manual for the field. 

The major audiences are frontline providers, benefits officers, funders, denominational officials, and continuing educators.

Who is conducting the survey?

A committed team from Duke Divinity School’s Ormond Center for Thriving Congregations and Communities is leading the Caring for Clergy Field Guide research effort along with a diverse group of advisors representing each of the field’s major subsectors. Learn more about the study and our research team here.

What is the project timeline?

Phase 1
Preparing

Spring 2021 
Developing survey and convening advisory board

Phase 4:
Publishing

2022
Publishing field guide and releasing our findings

Phase 2
Fielding

Summer 2021
Fielding survey and conducting initial analysis

Phase 5:
Distributing & Convening

The Future
Presenting and convening a National Conference

Phase 3
Writing

Fall 2021
Finalizing content and developing frameworks

Who will see the data?

Only our team of trained researchers will see the Caring for Clergy raw survey data. To protect the privacy of you and your organization, we will present our results in aggregate so that no information that you share could be compromised. We will never reveal any sensitive or compromising data about you or your organization without your consent.  

Why should I participate?

The health and well-being of clergy is complex and interconnected; however, services that support clergy health and well-being are often siloed by sector and theological tradition. A benefits officer may not be aware of the issues faced by a frontline provider. Or, a funder may not know about the gaps in coverage within denominational structures. 

We want to provide those who support the overall health and well-being of clergy with a manual (what we call a “field guide”) that helps make their work more effective, collaborative, and informed. Ultimately, we want to make a difference in the individual health and well-being of clergy and their families.

If you have any questions or concerns, please reach out directly to the study’s Principal Investigator, Rev. Thad Austin, PhD.

How can I participate?

We are grateful for your participation in this important study. Please take the survey via this link.

 
 

Our Team

Ormond Center Team

Partners

Thad Austin Strategic Initiatives and Congregational Engagement

Thad Austin
Strategic Initiatives and Congregational Engagement

Chris Elisara Field Guide Survey

Chris Elisara
Field Guide Survey

Katie Comeau
Post-Doctoral Fellow for Thriving Congregations

Advisory Committee

Chris Adams
Azusa Pacific University
Center for Vocational Ministry

Matt Bloom
University of Notre Dame

Barbara Boigegrain
Wespath Benefits and Investments

Melinda Contreras-Byrd
Author, Psychologist, Pastor

Andy Cook
Wheaton College Billy Graham Center

Jo Ann Deasy
Association of Theological Schools

Richard DeShon
Michigan State University
COETIC HR

David Eagle
Duke University

Richard Foss
Lilly Endowment

David Higle
Wesleyan Church

Cameron Lee
Fuller Theological Seminary

Jihyun Oh
PC(USA)

Rae Jean Proeschold-Bell
Duke University

Mark Robison
Brotherhood Mutual Insurance

David Wang
Biola University

Robert Webb
The Duke Endowment

Lovett H. Weems, Jr.
Wesley Theological Seminary

Carl Weisner
Duke Divinity School

Manuela Casti Yeagley
University of Notre Dame 

 

Learn more about our project here.

Have any questions? Get in touch.