A broad-brush view of the state of clergy health in contemporary American congregations and denominations, this ambitious, frustratingly uneven but ultimately upbeat book aims to answer the question: is ordained ministry in American Protestant and Catholic circles in a state of "crisis," or simply facing up to the challenge of living in "very interesting times"? A former reporter for the
Washington Times, Witham terms his work a "descriptive look at ministerial variety," and it certainly lives up to that billing. Using copious documentation from surveys, American church history, and interviews across denominational lines, he argues that in spite of such factors as the sex abuse scandal in the Roman Catholic church, the risk of clergy burnout, the older age of those entering ordained ministry, and the challenges of immigrant assimilation, ministers who have certain theological tendencies and personal temperaments will likely thrive. The author examines such topics as how clergy are portrayed in the media and controversial matters like the ordination of homosexuals, and discusses ministry in mainline Protestant denominations, among Southern Baptists, and within American minorities. Regrettably, Witham's solid work is sometimes undercut by tormented syntax that can obscure his astute observations.
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"A perceptive and informative book on a part of the culture that is enormously consequential for believers and nonbelievers alike.... The volume sheds its most interesting light on the struggles and trends within Main Line and Evangelical Protestantism and, to a lesser extent, the epic battle shaping up over governance and practice in the nation's Roman Catholic churches."--Christopher Willcox,
New York Sun"A balanced and nuanced view of several key aspects of contemporary ministry: the 'call' to this life, the divergent roles of Protestant ministers, the Roman Catholic priesthood, Southern Baptists, and the influence of the 'born-again' and minorities. The direction ministry takes will have an effect on millions of church-goers, and so Witham's work is both valuable and timely."--
Library Journal"Over the last century, the clergy have been perhaps the most studied and analyzed of all professions or careers. Even so, Larry Witham's fine study still finds much to say that is new, fresh, and strictly contemporary. His perceptive and wide-ranging study of preachers, pastors and priests matters for anyone interested in the state of American Christianity today." --Philip Jenkins, author of
The Next Christendom: The Coming of Global Christianity"This wonderfully engaging book is about much more than the facts and figures of clergy life. Larry Witham uses the experiences and voices of clergy as a lens through which to interpret the main themes, controversies, and challenges facing American religion. One message comes through loud and clear: clergy are still important, not just in their congregations, but also in our communities and in the life of our nation." --Robert Wuthnow, author of
America and the Challenges of Religious Diversity"A fascinating compendium of facts and figures on contemporary Christian ministry. It is also much more than that. It is a vivid picture of where the leadership of the church has been and will be moving toward in the future." --William H. Willimon, Bishop, The Birmingham Alabama Area of the United Methodist Church
"A balanced and nuanced view of several key aspects of contemporary ministry: the 'call' to this life, the divergent roles of Protestant ministers, the Roman Catholic priesthood, Southern Baptists, and the influence of the 'born-again' and minorities. The direction ministry takes will have an effect on millions of church-goers, and so Witham's work is both valuable and timely. Recommended for most libraries and essential for church and seminary libraries."--
Library Journal"Over the last century, the clergy have been perhaps the most studied and analyzed of all professions or careers. Even so, Larry Witham's fine study still finds much to say that is new, fresh, and strictly contemporary. His perceptive and wide-ranging study of preachers, pastors and priests matters for anyone interested in the state of American Christianity today." --Philip Jenkins, author of
The Next Christendom: The Coming of Global Christianity"A perceptive and informative book on a part of the culture that is enormously consequential for believers and nonbelievers alike.... The volume sheds its most interesting light on the struggles and trends within Main Line and Evangelical Protestantism and, to a lesser extent, the epic battle shaping up over governance and practice in the nation's Roman Catholic churches."--Christopher Willcox,
New York Sun"This wonderfully engaging book is about much more than the facts and figures of clergy life. Larry Witham uses the experiences and voices of clergy as a lens through which to interpret the main themes, controversies, and challenges facing American religion. One message comes through loud and clear: clergy are still important, not just in their congregations, but also in our communities and in the life of our nation." --Robert Wuthnow, author of
America and the Challenges of Religious Diversity"A fascinating compendium of facts and figures on contemporary Christian ministry. It is also much more than that. It is a vivid picture of where the leadership of the church has been and will be moving toward in the future." --William H. Willimon, Bishop, The Birmingham Alabama Area of the United Methodist Church
"I cannot think of any book that addresses the issue of ministry that is more poignant for church leaders today, lay and clergy, and especially seminary faculties, candidacy committees, continuing education centers and judiciary staffs, than this book."--
Trinity Seminary Review"Witham's book is filled with fascinating statistics documenting the crisis in church leadership across several denominations. It is a valuable resource for those who care about the church." --
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