American Clergy Research Articles

The Views of Clergy Regarding Ethical Controversies in Care at the End of Life

ContextAlthough religion often informs ethical judgments, little is known about the views of American clergy regarding controversial end-of-life ethical issues including allowing to die and physician aid in dying or physician-assisted suicide (PAD/PAS). ObjectiveTo describe the views of U.S. clergy concerning allowing to die and PAD/PAS. MethodsA survey was mailed to 1665 nationally representative clergy between 8/2014 to 3/2015 (60% response rate). Outcome variables included beliefs about whether the terminally ill should ever be “allowed to die” and moral/legal opinions concerning PAD/PAS. ResultsMost U.S. clergy are Christian (98%). Clergy agreed that there are circumstances in which the terminally ill should be “allowed to die” (80%). A minority agreed that PAD/PAS was morally (28%) or legally (22%) acceptable. Mainline/Liberal Christian clergy were more likely to approve of the morality (56%) and legality (47%) of PAD/PAS, in contrast to all other clergy groups (6%–17%). Greater end-of-life medical knowledge was associated with moral disapproval of PAD/PAS (adjusted odds ratio [AOR], 1.51; 95% CI, 1.04–2.19, P = 0.03). Those reporting distrust in health care were less likely to oppose legalization of PAD/PAS (AOR 0.93; 95% CI, 0.87–0.99, P < 0.02). Religious beliefs associated with disapproval of PAD/PAS included “life's value is not tied to the patient's quality of life” (AOR 2.12; 95% CI, 0.1.49–3.03, P < 0.001) and “only God numbers our days” (AOR 2.60; 95% CI, 1.77–3.82, P < 0.001). ConclusionMost U.S. clergy approve of “allowing to die” but reject the morality or legalization of PAD/PAS. Respectful discussion in public discourse should consider rather than ignore underlying religious reasons informing end-of-life controversies.

Moralizing to the Choir: The Moral Foundations of American Clergy*

ObjectiveIn order to understand the role of clergy in shaping Americans’ moral worldviews, we examine whether the structure of clergy values varies in systematic ways according to contextual factors, such as disagreement in the congregation.MethodIn early 2014 (February), clergy from a variety of Protestant denominations were contacted by email and invited to complete a survey online, which included a 20‐item moral foundations (MFs) battery as well as a variety of attitudinal, behavioral, and relational measures.ResultsClergy MFs resemble average citizens’, they look to preserve their autonomy by emphasizing individualizing foundations when they are in disagreement with their congregation, and emphasize MFs that align with their religious beliefs, especially their views on religious authority.ConclusionWe reject a special religious emphasis on binding foundations. While clergy take moral positions that reflect their theological commitments, we find evidence of contextualizing in how they weight moral positions.

Occupational Gender Inequality among American Clergy, 1976–2016: Revisiting the Stained-Glass Ceiling

Occupational Gender Inequality among American Clergy, 1976–2016: Revisiting the Stained-Glass Ceiling

On the Battlefield: The Black Church, Public Health, and the Fight against HIV among African American Gay and Bisexual Men.

HIV affects African American gay and bisexual men (AAGBM) more disproportionately than any other group in the USA. The Black Church, which has been a historic mainstay for African American empowerment and well-being, has the potential to be a public health partner for HIV prevention with AAGBM. Public health partnerships with the Black Church can strengthen HIV prevention efforts with AAGBM by [1] adapting church-based prevention strategies developed for other African American subgroups [2], providing prevention and referral services [3], considering how scripture supports prevention efforts, and [4] emphasizing the tenets of liberation theology. Public health should consider how thoughtful engagement, research, and interventions can support these approaches. Developing partnerships with the Black Church and African American clergy can promote effective HIV prevention efforts for AAGBM.

Equipping African American Clergy to Recognize Depression.

Equipping African American Clergy to Recognize Depression.

Equipping African American Clergy to Recognize Depression

Many African Americans (AAs) use clergy as their primary source of help for depression, with few being referred to mental health providers. This study used face-to-face workshops to train AA clergy to recognize the symptoms and levels of severity of depression. A pretest/posttest format was used to test knowledge (N = 42) about depression symptoms. Results showed that the participation improved the clergy's ability to recognize depression symptoms. Faith community nurses can develop workshops for clergy to improve recognition and treatment of depression.

Mental health literacy in religious leaders: a qualitative study of Korean American Clergy

Although religious leaders in ethnic minority communities are often the first point of contact for mental health needs, little is known about their mental health literacy. The aim of the current study was to explore the knowledge and beliefs about depression held by Korean American clergy, using a qualitative approach. The Gateway Provider Model (GPM) and Jorm's conceptualisation of mental health literacy served as a framework for the enquiry. Seventeen clergy members serving in Korean communities in two U.S. metropolitan cities participated in an individual in-depth interview during the spring of 2013. Using the constant comparison method, the research team coded the data independently, compared and modified codes, and derived major categories and themes in consensus approach. Eight themes emerged from the interviews, and they were grouped into five categories: (i) the ability to identify the problem; (ii) knowledge about causes and risk factors; (iii) knowledge and beliefs about treatment; (iv) knowledge about resources and services; and (v) contextual factors. Despite some variations, a majority of the participants acknowledged that depression is an important issue in the Korean American community and felt a sense of responsibility for the well-being of their community members. The findings highlight the need for mental health education and training for religious leaders in ethnic minority communities to help them properly respond to community mental health needs.

The Delegational Pulpit? Clergy Identifying as Congregational Political Representatives

While American clergy have been understood as political actors in some capacity, the precise understanding of their representation has been debated. Some argue that clergy may be seen as fidei defensor, representing a particular set of values and beliefs to the world—a trustee model. Others see the potential for clergy to advocate for the interests of local congregations embedded in particular communities—a delegate model. Neither approach has had concrete evidence to address this question, nor has any work explicitly documented clergy adopting a representational role. To remedy this defect, we polled a sample of clergy in order to gauge the degree to which they are functionally and explicitly considered representatives of their congregations. From these data, 70% have been contacted by congregation members with political concerns and 40% consider themselves or believe they are considered by congregants as representatives to government officials. Several factors increase the probability that clergy take on a representative role including holding a high view of religious authority. Clergy also consider carefully their relationship with the congregation and community before taking on the role of representative, supporting the delegate model.

El falso sobrino del Papa. Un plan contra el obispo de Puebla durante la expulsión de los jesuitas

En 1767 un ex jesuita poblano y un italiano aventurero coincidieron en la cárcel episcopal de Puebla. Los reclamos del primero, crítico acérrimo del obispo Francisco Fabián y Fuero, encontraron un vehículo de liberación en las ilusiones que el segundo le ofreció, fingiéndose sobrino del Papa. El resultado fue un extraño plan que adquirió un carácter “sedicioso” al mezclarse con la murmuración sobre la expulsión de los jesuitas. Varios expedientes judiciales e indagatorias secretas permiten reconstruir esta historia de mentiras, intrigas y anhelos de expresión crítica, al tiempo que ofrecen la oportunidad de reflexionar sobre el disenso del clero americano en un momento de redefinición del regalismo y de la censura.

Korean American Clergy Practices Regarding Intimate Partner Violence: Roadblock or Support for Battered Women?

Although it is common for Korean Americans to seek assistance from clergy for intimate partner violence (IPV), there has been lack of research on Korean American clergy’s practices regarding IPV. 152 Korean American Protestant clergy were surveyed on their practices regarding IPV in their congregations. 92.7 % of respondents reported counseling people who had experienced IPV; however, one-third stated that they had never referred congregants to additional resources. Additionally, the great majority of respondents recognized their important role in responding to IPV; however, only 16 % of them reported feeling well-prepared to deal with IPV. Practice and research implications are discussed to improve a partnership between religious leaders and victim advocates for the purpose of supporting battered Korean immigrant women.

African American Clergy Involvement in Marriage Preparation

Marital stability has been linked to multiple social and economic advantages, particularly for African Americans. Clergy provide the majority of marriage preparation in the United States, but historically African American denominations have not been sampled systematically. To address this issue, we conducted an exploratory survey investigating African American clergy members’ behaviors, attitudes, and perceptions about providing marriage preparation. Data were collected from 141 members of the seven primarily African American denominations and compared with 793 clergy from the 15 largest, predominantly White, congregations. African American clergy were significantly more likely than clergy in the comparison group to say they addressed premarital content effectively, say they utilized a skills-based approach to teaching communication, require a longer waiting period, more sessions, more homework assignments, and consider marriage preparation a valuable part of their ministry and to believe that couples had benefited from marriage preparation.

Attitudes of African American Clergy Regarding the Postvention Needs of African American Suicide Survivors

This qualitative study ascertained the attitudes of African American clergy regarding the postvention needs of African American suicide survivors. Interviews were conducted with six African American licensed clergy with diverse educational backgrounds, ministerial experience, and counseling experience. Participants were recruited from a large metropolitan area in the Middle Atlantic region. Four major themes were developed from this study: presence in the midst of grief, nonjudgmental view of suicide completers, postvention as a collaborative approach, and suicide as an elephant in the church. Results reveal that participants acknowledge the existence of suicide within the African American community, do not possess a judgmental attitude toward suicide completers, are willing to assist suicide survivors, and are willing to refer suicide survivors to mental health professionals

Pilgrimage to Wellness: An Exploratory Report of Rural African American Clergy Perceptions of Church Health Promotion Capacity

Churches serve vital roles in African American communities, where disease burden is disproportionately greater and healthcare access is more limited. Although church leadership often must approve programs and activities conducted within churches, little is known about their perception of churches as health promotion organizations, or the impact of church-based health promotion on their own health. This exploratory study assessed perceptions of church capacity to promote health among 27 rural, African American clergy leaders and report the relationship between their own health and that of their congregation. Results indicate a perceived need to increase the capacity of their churches to promote health. Most common were conducting health programs, displaying health information, kitchen committee working with the health ministry, partnerships outside of the church, and funding. Findings lay the foundation for the development of future studies of key factors associated with organizational change and health promotion in these rural church settings.

Forced Termination of American Clergy: Its Effects and Connection to Negative Well-Being

Forced termination of clergy involves constant negativity found in personal attacks and criticism from a small congregational faction. The minister feels psychologically pressured to step down from the ministry position and this process is often demeaning to the emotional and physical well-being of the minister. The prevalence of forced termination among clergy has ranged from 25% among many denominations to 41% among Assemblies of God ministers. Forced termination and its effects are serious problems that have yet to be adequately addressed by scholars in social science research. The lack of scholarly research in this area called for a large national study from a reputable research institution. This online study shows that 28% of ministers among 39 denominations experienced a forced termination. Forced termination was associated with high levels of depression, stress, and physical health problems. Forced termination was also associated with low levels of self-efficacy, and self-esteem.

Promoting Healthy Behavior from the Pulpit: Clergy Share Their Perspectives on Effective Health Communication in the African American Church

African Americans continue to suffer disproportionately from health disparities when compared to other ethnicities (ACS 2010; CDC 2007). Research indicates that the church and the pastor in the African American community could be enlisted to increase effectiveness of health programs (Campbell et al. in Health Edu Behav 34(6):864-880, 2007; DeHaven et al. in Am J Public Health 94(6):1030-1036, 2004). The objective of this study was to investigate African American pastors' perceptions about health promotion in the church and how these perceptions could serve as a guide for improving health communication targeting African Americans. Semi-structured interviews with African American clergy revealed that pastors feel strongly about the intersection of health, religion and spirituality; they also believe that discussing health screening and other health issues more frequently from the pulpit and their own personal experiences will ultimately impact health behavior among congregants. This study suggests that African American clergy see themselves as health promoters in the church and believe this communication (i.e., pastor-endorsed health information materials) will impact health behavior among underserved and minority populations.

To what extent are the Christian clergy acting as frontline mental health workers? A study from the North of England

The Church has always been associated with care of the sick; this continues today many clergy see people with mental health issues. Studies outside the United Kingdom have shown that when people with mental health issues visit clergy for help they often do this before, or instead of, seeing health professionals. This study surveyed Christian clergy and asked about the frequency with which clergy saw people with mental health problems, if they referred onto healthcare professionals, what outcomes they expected and their attitudes to mental health. It was concluded that the clergy did see people with mental health problems but the frequency varied amongst individuals and this was not dependent on denomination. These findings agreed with other studies that a very high percentage of British clergy do refer on, unlike North American clergy and this was not related to denomination.

Hindsight, Irony, and the Ethical: A Commentary on Pandemics, Social Distancing, and Community Mitigation Strategies Involving African American Clergy

Hindsight, Irony, and the Ethical: A Commentary on Pandemics, Social Distancing, and Community Mitigation Strategies Involving African American Clergy

African American Clergy's Perceptions of Mental Health and Pastoral Care to Elder Congregants

The purpose of this qualitative descriptive study was to explore African American clergy's perspectives on gerontological mental health and pastoral care to elderly congregants. Interviews were conducted with 18 African American clergy in Kentucky. Data analysis revealed two salient themes: holistic health and holistic pastoral care. These findings have implications for training and continuing education of clergy, in addition to the need for increased collaboration among social workers and clergy.

Helping African American clergy and churches address minority disaster mental health disparities: Training needs, model, and example.

Helping African American clergy and churches address minority disaster mental health disparities: Training needs, model, and example.

African American Clergy: What are Their Perceptions of Pastoral Care and Pastoral Counseling?

This qualitative study explores African American clergy's perspectives on pastoral care and pastoral counseling. Interviews were conducted with 18 African American clergy of diverse ages, locales, and educational levels who were recruited from a southern state. Two major themes emerged from the data: (a) Shepherding the Flock and (b) Distinguishable Concepts with Different Meaning and Functions. Implications for social work practice and research are addressed.