The practice of ordained ministry within the contemporary Church of Scotland : problems of identity, role, and function
This work arises from a premise that the practice of ordained ministry within the Church of Scotland is in a state of 'crisis' and it suggests that this analysis is appropriate. The nature of this crisis is discussed together with institutional reactions thereto. Following a presentation of the concepts of role, identity and the self, consideration is given to the role of the parish minister in Scotland up to the contemporary period. Consideration is given to the changing role of the minister in contemporary Scotland, the issue of professionalisation and the affects of role conflict and uncertainty on the conditions of stress and burnout in ministry. Thereafter analysis of the main aspects of ministerial practice is achieved through means of a postal questionnaire and structured interview technique. Vocational issues of initial vocation, training, priority, worship and theology are examined and discussed, followed by more relational aspects of practice, including, pastoral care, family and spouse relationships, women in ministry, congregation and collegial relationship and most particularly the minister's self- understanding and self care. In each of these areas it is suggested that the contemporary practice
Macaskill, Donald
Philosophy
The practice of ordained ministry within the contemporary Church of Scotland : problems of identity, role, and function. This work arises from a premise that the practice of ordained ministry within the Church of Scotland is in a state of 'crisis' and it suggests that this analysis is appropriate. The nature of this crisis is discussed together with institutional reactions thereto. Following a presentation of the concepts of role, identity and the self, consideration is given to the role of the parish minister in Scotland up to the contemporary period. Consideration is given to the changing role of the minister in contemporary Scotland, the issue of professionalisation and the affects of role conflict and uncertainty on the conditions of stress and burnout in ministry. Thereafter analysis of the main aspects of ministerial practice is achieved through means of a postal questionnaire and structured interview technique. Vocational issues of initial vocation, training, priority, worship and theology are examined and discussed, followed by more relational aspects of practice, including, pastoral care, family and spouse relationships, women in ministry, congregation and collegial relationship and most particularly the minister's self- understanding and self care. In each of these areas it is suggested that the contemporary practice
practice ordain ministry within_contemporary church_scotland problem identity role_function work arises premise practice ordain ministry within church_scotland state crisis suggests analysis appropriate nature crisis discuss together institutional reaction following presentation concept role identity self consideration_give role parish minister scotland contemporary period consideration_give change_role minister contemporary scotland issue professionalisation affect role conflict uncertainty condition stress ministry thereafter analysis main_aspect ministerial practice achieve mean postal questionnaire structure interview technique vocational issue initial vocation training priority worship theology examine discuss follow relational aspect practice include pastoral_care family relationship woman ministry congregation relationship particularly minister self self care area suggest contemporary practice