Document Type

Thesis

Degree Name

Master of Theology (MTh)

Department

Theology

Faculty/School

Martin Luther University College

First Advisor

Delton J. Glebe

Advisor Role

Thesis Supervisor

Abstract

In the past twenty years there has been an increase in the number of Clergy Couples. This study uses qualitative methods in order to research the question: What are the potentials and problems of clergy couples in ministry? Nine clergy couples were interviewed. A deductive content analysis of the data was done using the five categories of vocation issues, identity issues, support issues, time issues, and boundary/role issues. Results indicated that reported problems were dominated by boundary/role issues; reported potentials were dominated by vocation, identity and support issues. An inductive content analysis was done on the data in order to generate theory about the clergy couples' models for marriage and ministry. Results indicated that clergy couples' models for marriage and ministry were both influenced by the values of equity and mutuality. The need to establish new models for marriage and ministry was seen to be both a potential and a problem unique to the clergy couple context.

Convocation Year

1994

Convocation Season

Fall

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