Clergy Curricula Burnout Assessment
Location
CSU Ballroom
Start Date
11-4-2017 2:00 PM
End Date
11-4-2017 3:30 PM
Student's Major
Health Science
Student's College
Allied Health and Nursing
Mentor's Name
Joseph Visker
Mentor's Department
Health Science
Mentor's College
Allied Health and Nursing
Description
Stress and burnout rates among those serving in the Christian Ministry are high among various denominations. To date, no studies have examined if clergy members are trained to mitigate stress and burnout during Seminary. The purpose of this study was to fill the gap in the research and examine the extent to which Seminary professors address stress and burnout in their courses and to examine factors that may prevent the teaching thereof. A cross-sectional design, using a survey to gather data from current Seminary faculty was utilized. The survey was distributed via email using the Qualtrics online survey distribution system. Professors from seven Evangelical Lutheran in America [ELCA] Seminaries were invited to participate. Descriptive statistics were used to assess survey items. Results indicate that courses specific to stress and coping skills do not exist within current curricula. While all participants indicated that stress and burnout are a problem, 75% of respondents noted that other topics take priority in the curricula. Several additional factors that inhibit faculty from addressing stress management in their current courses were noted. The results of this study show that Seminaries are not adequately preparing future ministers to deal the stress that comes along with leading a congregation. Due to constraints in the classroom, other opportunities to address stress and burnout during Seminary need to be explored.
Clergy Curricula Burnout Assessment
CSU Ballroom
Stress and burnout rates among those serving in the Christian Ministry are high among various denominations. To date, no studies have examined if clergy members are trained to mitigate stress and burnout during Seminary. The purpose of this study was to fill the gap in the research and examine the extent to which Seminary professors address stress and burnout in their courses and to examine factors that may prevent the teaching thereof. A cross-sectional design, using a survey to gather data from current Seminary faculty was utilized. The survey was distributed via email using the Qualtrics online survey distribution system. Professors from seven Evangelical Lutheran in America [ELCA] Seminaries were invited to participate. Descriptive statistics were used to assess survey items. Results indicate that courses specific to stress and coping skills do not exist within current curricula. While all participants indicated that stress and burnout are a problem, 75% of respondents noted that other topics take priority in the curricula. Several additional factors that inhibit faculty from addressing stress management in their current courses were noted. The results of this study show that Seminaries are not adequately preparing future ministers to deal the stress that comes along with leading a congregation. Due to constraints in the classroom, other opportunities to address stress and burnout during Seminary need to be explored.
Recommended Citation
Dahle, Seth. "Clergy Curricula Burnout Assessment." Undergraduate Research Symposium, Mankato, MN, April 11, 2017.
https://cornerstone.lib.mnsu.edu/urs/2017/poster-session-B/12
