Exploring the Lived Experience of Forced Termination among Southern Baptist Clergy Couples: A Retrospective Study

Forced termination of clergy has been the topic of limited research and little or no attention has been given to the long-term lived experiences of forced termination. This study involved an investigation into the phenomenon of forced termination among Southern Baptist clergy couples who had been fo...

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Bibliographic Details
Authors: Speight, Dallas E. (Author) ; Speight, Sheila W. (Author)
Format: Print Article
Language:English
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Published: [2017]
In: Journal of psychology and christianity
Year: 2017, Volume: 36, Issue: 2, Pages: 149-160
Standardized Subjects / Keyword chains:B Southern Baptist Convention / Pastor / Married couple / Dismissal / Experience
IxTheo Classification:AE Psychology of religion
KBQ North America
KDG Free church
RB Church office; congregation
Description
Summary:Forced termination of clergy has been the topic of limited research and little or no attention has been given to the long-term lived experiences of forced termination. This study involved an investigation into the phenomenon of forced termination among Southern Baptist clergy couples who had been forcibly terminated for a period of at least 3 or more years. A total of 10 clergy couples participated in interviews, eight individually and two in a group interview, to gain their direct input as to how they experienced forced termination. Interviews were transcribed and data were analyzed using NVivo10 to capture themes, patterns, and relationships. The results of the data analysis yielded the following overall emergent themes: trust, anger, relief and peace, abandonment and ambivalence, and shock and disbelief. The researchers recommend that future research regarding forced termination be conducted in several areas: (a) the repairing or rebuilding of trust among congregations and its leadership, (b) forced termination lived experiences of clergy couples from other faith groups, and (c) the need for seminaries and faith groups to explore how best to prepare clergy for effective ministries
ISSN:0733-4273
Contains:Enthalten in: Journal of psychology and christianity