“a stutter and a stick” the social construction of a ministerial identity dr. richard n. pitt....

“A Stutter and a Stick”

“A Stutter and a Stick”The Social Construction Of A

Ministerial IdentityThe Social Construction Of A

Ministerial Identity

Dr. Richard N. Pitt.Department of

Sociology

Dr. Richard N. Pitt.Department of

Sociology

callings?callings?

Current Literature Limitations:

•Focus on White Protestantism (Lutherans, Calvinists, Methodists, and Baptists)

•Studies of Black Protestants focus only on: - Pastors and preachers (i.e., fulltime ministers) - Seminarians - Non-Pentecostal/Charismatic denominations (Baptist/AME)

Current Literature Limitations:

•Focus on White Protestantism (Lutherans, Calvinists, Methodists, and Baptists)

•Studies of Black Protestants focus only on: - Pastors and preachers (i.e., fulltime ministers) - Seminarians - Non-Pentecostal/Charismatic denominations (Baptist/AME)

The claim of a “divine calling” is seen as something that distinguishes clergy, both at the vocational level and at the identity level, from other professionals. But what does it mean to be “called” and where does the legitimization of the role-identity “minister” rest?

The claim of a “divine calling” is seen as something that distinguishes clergy, both at the vocational level and at the identity level, from other professionals. But what does it mean to be “called” and where does the legitimization of the role-identity “minister” rest?

sample.sample.Number Of Interviews: 92 of 130 ministers (71%)

Denomination: Church of God In Christ

Full-Time Ministry: 3 pastors, 2 chaplains

Race: All African-American

Gender: 69% female, 31% male

Age: 28-82, with average of 49 years of age

Education: 5th grade to M.D., with average of 15 years 31% <12th grade 28% some college 41% BA or higher

Number Of Interviews: 92 of 130 ministers (71%)

Denomination: Church of God In Christ

Full-Time Ministry: 3 pastors, 2 chaplains

Race: All African-American

Gender: 69% female, 31% male

Age: 28-82, with average of 49 years of age

Education: 5th grade to M.D., with average of 15 years 31% <12th grade 28% some college 41% BA or higher

licenses.licenses.MEN N S Percent

Aspiring Minister 9 12 75%

Minister 6 9 67%

Elder 15 21 71%

WOMEN N S Percent

Aspiring Missionary 12 17 71%

Deaconess Missionary 25 36 70%

Evangelist Missionary 23 33 70%

Chaplain 2 2 100%

MEN N S Percent

Aspiring Minister 9 12 75%

Minister 6 9 67%

Elder 15 21 71%

WOMEN N S Percent

Aspiring Missionary 12 17 71%

Deaconess Missionary 25 36 70%

Evangelist Missionary 23 33 70%

Chaplain 2 2 100%

Receiving“The Call”Receiving“The Call”

growing.growing.

UrgesUrges

VoicesVoices

DreamsDreams

VisionsVisions

SignsSigns

“The Spirit of the Lord GOD is upon me; because He has anointed me to preach good tidings to the meek; he has sent me to bind up the brokenhearted, to proclaim liberty to the captives, and the opening of the prison to them that are bound.” (Isaiah 61:1)

growing.growing.

Struggling With“The Call”

Struggling With“The Call” Receiving

“The Call”Receiving“The Call”

“Fleecing God”

“Fleecing God”

Announcing“The Call”Announcing“The Call”



growing.growing.


ParentsParents

SpousesSpouses

Church Church MentorsMentors

FriendsFriends

PastorPastor

Becoming OneOf “The Called”Becoming OneOf “The Called”



growing.growing.



Commitment • CharacterCommitment • Character • CompetenceCompetence

CRITERIA?

THE

“CALL”ITSELF

THE

“CALL”ITSELF

“Lines”Responsibility

Sanction

WrittenAccount

Costume& Staging

becoming.becoming.

Legitimating“The Call”Increasing

CommitmentTrainingCreating

Role-PositionsNarrativeFidelity




growing.growing.



Commitment • CharacterCommitment • Character • CompetenceCompetence

CRITERIA?

THE

“CALL”ITSELF

THE

“CALL”ITSELF

Testing“The Call”




grow.grow.



Announcing“The Call”Announcing“The Call” TheThe

Audience Audience ProblemProblem

BlamingBlaming““The Devil”The Devil”




LICENSELICENSE

grow.grow.





Other questions.Other questions.“Callings, Anointings, and Appointings”

“When More Knowledge Can Be A Bad Thing”

“Spotting Magicians”

“Don’t Quit Your Day Job”

“Stained Glass Ceilings”

“Callings, Anointings, and Appointings”

“When More Knowledge Can Be A Bad Thing”

“Spotting Magicians”

“Don’t Quit Your Day Job”

“Stained Glass Ceilings”

“a stutter and a stick” the social construction of a ministerial identity dr. richard n. pitt....

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