Research Summaries

The past few years have been challenging yet hopeful for clergy in North Carolina's United Methodist Church, who have navigated significant cultural shifts. Read interesting findings based on the 2023 Clergy Health Initiative Survey.

Drawing on survey data from over 1,200 North Carolina United Methodist clergy, we identified four profiles of positive and negative mental health symptoms and determined how those profiles changed during the intense stress period of COVID-19.

Stressful work can lead to feelings of discouragement. Our study among UMC clergy in North Carolina showed that depressive symptoms often arise before work-related distress, with spiritual well-being acting as a buffer against these challenges.

Based on NC-UMC clergy’s assessments of their own congregations, 57% of churches remaining after disaffiliation were purple, 25% were red, and 18% were blue. Read up on other key findings from our 2024 report in this summary.

Drawing from 102 in-depth interviews with first year Masters of Divinity students, we explored how students describe and account for their attitudes toward same-sex relationships, marriage, and ordination.

Clergywomen experience more on-the-job stress than clergymen. But as their stress increases, they're less likely to show depressive symptoms than men, suggesting that women may be particularly well-suited to cope with the challenges of the profession.

More than 7 in 10 students enter divinity school with at least one Adverse Childhood Experience. Read more on why the upstream factors of mental health matter for theological education.

47% of seminary students say someone else suggested ministry before they considered it for themselves. Learn about the six types of people who showed up most often in call stories, as well as how men and women narrated the influence of others differently.