Maladapted to Change: How Routinized Practice Is Killing the United Methodist Church

In this dissertation, I will examine the organization of the United Methodist Church, exploring in particular how policies such as the system of itinerancy undermine the power and efficacy of pastors. Using data from interviews of pastors in the United Methodist Church of Indiana, along with observational and interview data from two congregations in a mid-sized, Midwestern City, I outline the ways in which the strength of laity within the United Methodist System, developed over years of shifting pastoral leadership, undermines the strength of pastoral leadership. Finally, I discuss ways in which the lack of leadership within congregations leads to a gap in vision within the congregations.