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

Jorge Mayer

Second Advisor

Ricardo Norton

Abstract

Problem

Few studies have been conducted on Seventh-day Adventist Pastor’s Kids (PKs) at the Conference or Union Conference level. As Sedlacek and Baltazar (2020) say: ‘‘scant recent research literature is available on the children in pastors´ families or pastors´ kids’’ (87). Therefore, it is essential to conduct an updated study that examines the relationship of PKs with God, their families, and the church. A seminar addressing the spiritual challenges faced by PKs in the Texas Conference would be beneficial in strengthening their relationships and alleviating the burdens and pressures they often experience. Additionally, this initiative could help pastors and church administrators better understand the realities PKs face, fostering closer relationships and enabling the development of support programs tailored to their needs.

Methodology

This practical theology study focuses on PKs within the Texas Conference. A historical analysis was conducted on the children of religious leaders in both the Old and New Testaments, alongside an exploration of relevant contributions from Ellen G. White and other contemporary scholars. A seminar was designed and conducted with the objective of equipping PKs with essential tools to enhance and strengthen their relationships with God, family, and the church. -- A survey was administered, with 152 PKs participating. Responses were kept anonymous to protect participant confidentiality. Following the analysis of the survey results, a second phase of the seminar was held to share the findings with the participants.

Results

The results were generally positive regarding the PKs’ relationships with their parents and their devotional practices. Specifically, 71.1% of PKs reported having "always" had a good relationship with their parents, and another 24.6% stated that they had a good relationship "often." Regarding family devotionals, 44.7% of participants indicated that their families "always" had regular devotion time, while 43% reported "often" having such moments together. -- However, when considering their relationship with the church, 21.1% of PKs indicated that church members "always" criticized their appearance, with another 32.5% reporting that such criticisms occurred "often." Perhaps the most concerning statistic arose from the question: "Have you ever considered doing physical harm to yourself to attract the attention of your parents or church?" While 78.9% of participants answered "never," 13.2% responded "rarely," 6.1% said "often," and 1.8% answered "always." These results suggest that, at some point, approximately 1 out of 5 PKs have contemplated self-harm as a way to gain attention.

Conclusion

The findings of this study align with the biblical and Ellen G. White writings principles, as well as with contemporary scholarly research, which highlights the pressures faced by PKs due to their parent’s ministry roles. Although aware of the burdens PKs carry, it is encouraging to note that many perceive their lives as a blessing, especially in comparison to children of other professions. -- Furthermore, this project provides positive insights into the well-being of PKs in the Texas Conference. A significant number of them maintain strong relationships with their parents and with God. While they face some challenges regarding the church's perceptions of them, the majority acknowledge the advantages of being a PK outweigh the disadvantages.

Subject Area

Children of clergy; Families of clergy; Seventh-day Adventists--Clergy; Texas Conference of Seventh-day Adventists; General Conference of Seventh-day Adventists. North American Division. Southwestern Union Conference. Texas Conference

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