Professional Dissertations DMin

Date of Award

2025

Document Type

Dissertation

Degree Name

Doctor of Ministry

College

Seventh-day Adventist Theological Seminary

Program

Doctor of Ministry DMin

First Advisor

Heather Crews

Second Advisor

William Lee

Third Advisor

Christian Eugene Ekoto

Abstract

Problem

In the South Central Conference of Seventh-day Adventists (SCC), while male pastors receive formal mentorship through the ministerial internship program leading up to ordination, female pastors—who are only commissioned and not ordained—often experience a lack of continued mentorship beyond commissioning. This absence hinders their professional development, limits leadership opportunities, and contributes to feelings of isolation. The current mentorship framework does not adequately support the ongoing growth of female pastors in a context where ordination is not extended to women, thereby creating a gap in pastoral leadership development and equity.

Method

This project utilized a qualitative case study design to implement and evaluate the Mordecai-Esther Mentorship Initiative, a structured cross-gender mentoring initiative for commissioned female pastors in the SCC. Two ordained male pastors were paired with two female pastors to engage in six mentoring sessions over several weeks. The mentoring sessions included structured discussion prompts, goal-setting activities, and spiritual reflection exercises. Prior to the start, both mentors and mentees received training on professional ethics, boundaries, and expectations in accordance with an IRB-approved protocol. Data collection involved pre- and post-interviews, session notes, mentor reports, and participant reflections to assess both the mentoring process and its perceived effectiveness.

Results

The Mordecai-Esther Mentorship Initiative demonstrated that structured cross-gender mentorship between ordained male pastors and commissioned female pastors can be both meaningful and impactful when clear ethical boundaries and open communication are maintained. Participants reported that while time constraints and inconsistent meeting schedules limited the full execution of all planned sessions, the mentorship experience provided emotional support, practical guidance, and a safe space for dialogue. The female pastors expressed a desire for more formalized, long-term mentorship beyond commissioning and highlighted the need for stronger camaraderie and advocacy within the ministerial community. Male mentors acknowledged the challenge of balancing schedules but affirmed the importance and feasibility of mentoring female colleagues. Both mentors and mentees recommended more structured group mentorship models and ongoing support from the ministerial department.

Conclusions

The implementation of the Mordecai-Esther Mentorship Initiative revealed that cross-gender mentoring—when structured with intentionality, ethical safeguards, and mutual respect—can provide vital support to commissioned female pastors, particularly in conferences where ordination is not granted to women. Although challenges such as scheduling limitations and relational dynamics emerged, the initiative affirmed the potential of male mentors to influence positively the growth and development of female clergy. The project underscores the need for both formal and informal mentorship models and highlights the importance of institutional support in creating a culture where female pastoral leadership can thrive. Future initiatives should prioritize group-based mentoring, greater accountability, and open dialogue to enhance equity and belonging in pastoral ministry.

Subject Area

Mentoring--Religious aspects--Seventh-day Adventist; Women clergy; General Conference of Seventh-day Adventists. North American Division. Southern Union Conference. South Central Conference; South Central Conference of Seventh-day Adventists

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