“A Stutter and a Stick” The Social Construction Of A Ministerial Identity Dr. Richard N. Pitt. Department of Sociology Dr. Richard N. Pitt. Department of Sociology

callings? Current Literature Limitations: Focus on White Protestantism (Lutherans, Calvinists, Methodists, and Baptists) Studies of Black Protestants focus only on: - Pastors and preachers (i.e., fulltime ministers) - Seminarians - Non-Pentecostal/Charismatic denominations (Baptist/AME) Current Literature Limitations: Focus on White Protestantism (Lutherans, Calvinists, Methodists, and Baptists) Studies of Black Protestants focus only on: - Pastors and preachers (i.e., fulltime ministers) - Seminarians - Non-Pentecostal/Charismatic denominations (Baptist/AME) The claim of a “divine calling” is seen as something that distinguishes clergy, both at the vocational level and at the identity level, from other professionals. But what does it mean to be “called” and where does the legitimization of the role-identity “minister” rest?

sample. Number Of Interviews: 92 of 130 ministers (71%) Denomination: Church of God In Christ Full-Time Ministry: 3 pastors, 2 chaplains Race: All African-American Gender: 69% female, 31% male Age: 28-82, with average of 49 years of age Education: 5 th grade to M.D., with average of 15 years 31% <12 th grade 28% some college 41% BA or higher Number Of Interviews: 92 of 130 ministers (71%) Denomination: Church of God In Christ Full-Time Ministry: 3 pastors, 2 chaplains Race: All African-American Gender: 69% female, 31% male Age: 28-82, with average of 49 years of age Education: 5 th grade to M.D., with average of 15 years 31% <12 th grade 28% some college 41% BA or higher

licenses. MENNSPercent Aspiring Minister91275% Minister6967% Elder152171% WOMENNSPercent Aspiring Missionary121771% Deaconess Missionary253670% Evangelist Missionary233370% Chaplain22100% MENNSPercent Aspiring Minister91275% Minister6967% Elder152171% WOMENNSPercent Aspiring Missionary121771% Deaconess Missionary253670% Evangelist Missionary233370% Chaplain22100%

Receiving “The Call” Receiving “The Call” growing. UrgesVoicesDreamsVisionsSigns “The Spirit of the Lord GOD is upon me; because He has anointed me to preach good tidings to the meek; he has sent me to bind up the brokenhearted, to proclaim liberty to the captives, and the opening of the prison to them that are bound.” (Isaiah 61:1)

growing. Struggling With “The Call” Struggling With “The Call” Receiving “The Call” Receiving “The Call” “Fleecing God”

Announcing “The Call” Announcing “The Call” Struggling With “The Call” Struggling With “The Call” growing. Receiving “The Call” Receiving “The Call” Parents Spouses Church Mentors Friends Pastor

Becoming One Of “The Called” Becoming One Of “The Called” Struggling With “The Call” Struggling With “The Call” growing. Receiving “The Call” Receiving “The Call” Announcing “The Call” Announcing “The Call” Commitment CharacterCompetence Commitment Character Competence CRITERIA? THE “CALL” ITSELF THE “CALL” ITSELF

“Lines” Responsibility Sanction Written Account Costume & Staging becoming. Legitimating “The Call” Increasing Commitment Training Creating Role-Positions Narrative Fidelity

Becoming One Of “The Called” Becoming One Of “The Called” Struggling With “The Call” Struggling With “The Call” growing. Receiving “The Call” Receiving “The Call” Announcing “The Call” Announcing “The Call” Commitment CharacterCompetence Commitment Character Competence CRITERIA? THE “CALL” ITSELF THE “CALL” ITSELF

Testing “The Call” Testing “The Call” Struggling With “The Call” Struggling With “The Call” grow. Receiving “The Call” Receiving “The Call” Becoming One Of “The Called” Becoming One Of “The Called” Announcing “The Call” Announcing “The Call” The Audience Problem Blaming “The Devil”

Announcing “The Call” Announcing “The Call” Struggling With “The Call” Struggling With “The Call” LICENSE grow. Receiving “The Call” Receiving “The Call” Becoming One Of “The Called” Becoming One Of “The Called” Testing “The Call” Testing “The Call”

Other questions. “Callings, Anointings, and Appointings” “When More Knowledge Can Be A Bad Thing” “Spotting Magicians” “Don’t Quit Your Day Job” “Stained Glass Ceilings” “Callings, Anointings, and Appointings” “When More Knowledge Can Be A Bad Thing” “Spotting Magicians” “Don’t Quit Your Day Job” “Stained Glass Ceilings”