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

thesis
posted on 2014-02-25, 00:00 authored by Ellen Susanna Childs
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.

History

Date Modified

2017-06-05

Defense Date

2014-02-24

Research Director(s)

Jessica Collett

Committee Members

Kraig Beyerlein David Sikkink Christian Smith Mary Ellen Konieczny

Degree

  • Doctor of Philosophy

Degree Level

  • Doctoral Dissertation

Language

  • English

Alternate Identifier

etd-02252014-090151

Publisher

University of Notre Dame

Program Name

  • Sociology

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