“A Stutter And A Stick” The (Non-) Value Of Educational Credentialing In Pentecostal Ordination Dr. Richard N. Pitt Vanderbilt University Department of

“A Stutter And A Stick”

“A Stutter And A Stick”

The (Non-) Value Of The (Non-) Value Of Educational Educational

Credentialing In Credentialing In Pentecostal Pentecostal OrdinationOrdination

The (Non-) Value Of The (Non-) Value Of Educational Educational

Credentialing In Credentialing In Pentecostal Pentecostal OrdinationOrdination

Dr. Richard N. PittVanderbilt University

Department of Sociology

Dr. Richard N. PittVanderbilt University

Department of Sociology

“Moses delivered a nation with a stutter and stick. I think I can do what I’m

supposed to do whether I hold credentials from men or not.” (Carl)

“Moses delivered a nation with a stutter and stick. I think I can do what I’m

supposed to do whether I hold credentials from men or not.” (Carl)

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.

The literature has taken readers inside churches to show how organizations that license and employ religious professionals are beginning to rethink who those professionals might be.

The focus is almost exclusively on the congregational call to ministry, probing institutions to determine a) who can be called, b) how that call is to be certified, and c) what claimants are called to do.

My work focuses on the personal call, analyzing the agency of religious professionals themselves in reconceptualizing clericalism in terms of these same dynamics of “who,” “how,” and “what”.

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.

The literature has taken readers inside churches to show how organizations that license and employ religious professionals are beginning to rethink who those professionals might be.

The focus is almost exclusively on the congregational call to ministry, probing institutions to determine a) who can be called, b) how that call is to be certified, and c) what claimants are called to do.

My work focuses on the personal call, analyzing the agency of religious professionals themselves in reconceptualizing clericalism in terms of these same dynamics of “who,” “how,” and “what”.

clergy and callings.clergy and callings.MalfeasanceMalfeasance

Anderson 2005Anderson 2005Dokecki 2005Dokecki 2005Shupe 2008Shupe 2008

SecularismSecularismDjupe 2003Djupe 2003Smidt 2005Smidt 2005Smith 2005Smith 2005

SatisfactionSatisfactionHoge 2005Hoge 2005McDuff 2001McDuff 2001Minor 2006Minor 2006

Labor MarketLabor MarketFinke 2002

Mueller 2004Nesbitt 2007Wilham 2005

Women & GLBWomen & GLBChaves 1997Chaves 1997

Koch 2000Koch 2000Mellow 2007Mellow 2007Zikmund 1998Zikmund 1998

CredentialingCredentialingFox 2002Fox 2002

Stillwell 2002Stillwell 2002Wallace 2003Wallace 2003

MalfeasanceMalfeasanceAnderson 2005Anderson 2005Dokecki 2005Dokecki 2005Shupe 2008Shupe 2008









“professional” knowledge.“professional” knowledge.



















““At the beginning of the 19th At the beginning of the 19th century, all intellectual callings century, all intellectual callings were becoming increasingly were becoming increasingly respectable and respected. respectable and respected. Only the clergy, medicine, and Only the clergy, medicine, and the law were, however, firmly the law were, however, firmly established as ‘learned’ established as ‘learned’ professions.” (Larson 1977:83)professions.” (Larson 1977:83)

““Professions are occupations Professions are occupations with special power and with special power and prestige [resulting from] prestige [resulting from] special competence in esoteric special competence in esoteric bodies of knowledge.” (Larson bodies of knowledge.” (Larson 1977:x)1977:x)

renowned clergy.renowned clergy.



















A.A. A.A. Degrees Degrees Or Less?Or Less?

Where Does Their “Special Competence In Esoteric Bodies Of Knowledge” Come From?

Paula White

Joel Osteen

T. D. Jakes Bob Coy

Benny Hinn

How do ministers negotiate their pursuit of a call to ministry (as a

“profession”) in light of educational deficiencies that should threaten the

legitimacy of those callings.

How do ministers negotiate their pursuit of a call to ministry (as a

“profession”) in light of educational deficiencies that should threaten the

legitimacy of those callings.

priests and prophets.priests and prophets.

“A distinguishing quality of the priest . . is his professional equipment of special knowledge, fixed doctrine, and vocational qualifications, which brings him into contrast with sorcerers, prophets, and other types of religious functionaries who exert their influence by virtue of personal gifts (charisma) made manifest in miracle and revelation.” (Weber 1963:29)

priests and prophets.priests and prophets.

“ . . . a certain quality of an individual personality, by virtue of which one is ‘set apart’ from ordinary people and treated as endowed with supernatural, superhuman, or at least specifically exceptional powers or qualities. These as such are not accessible to the ordinary person, but are regarded as divine in origin or as exemplary, and on the basis of them the individual concerned is treated as a leader.” (Weber 1947:358)

CHARISMA is . . . .THE ANOINTING is . . . .

MEN (N=33) Avg Age Yrs Ed

Aspiring Minister 46 13

Minister 41 15

Elder 47 15

Pastor 60 16

WOMEN (N=70) Avg Age Yrs Ed

Aspiring Missionary 43 15

Deaconess Missionary 45 15

Evangelist Missionary 58 14

Chaplain 48 16

MEN (N=33) Avg Age Yrs Ed

Aspiring Minister 46 13

Minister 41 15

Elder 47 15

Pastor 60 16

WOMEN (N=70) Avg Age Yrs Ed

Aspiring Missionary 43 15

Deaconess Missionary 45 15

Evangelist Missionary 58 14

Chaplain 48 16

credentials in my sample.credentials in my sample.

Education background summary: 5th grade to M.D., with mean of 15 years 29% 12th grade or less 43% BA or higher 18% Seminary or bible college “trained” (only 7% completed)

Education background summary: 5th grade to M.D., with mean of 15 years 29% 12th grade or less 43% BA or higher 18% Seminary or bible college “trained” (only 7% completed)

what the anointing is.what the anointing is.““The anointing is a special impartation through the Holy The anointing is a special impartation through the Holy Spirit to give you the Spirit to give you the wisdomwisdom, the , the know-howknow-how, the , the revelationrevelation to do what it is you need to do from a spiritual perspective. to do what it is you need to do from a spiritual perspective. The things that I go forth to do, I know that me and my own The things that I go forth to do, I know that me and my own ability wouldn’t come up with the ideas, the creativity, the ability wouldn’t come up with the ideas, the creativity, the understanding that I have. That doesn’t come from a understanding that I have. That doesn’t come from a natural ability.” (Darlene)natural ability.” (Darlene)

““The anointing of God is when the Holy Ghost comes in and The anointing of God is when the Holy Ghost comes in and empowersempowers you to do certain aspects that He has called you to you to do certain aspects that He has called you to do. I couldn’t lay hands on the sick and they recover if I didn’t do. I couldn’t lay hands on the sick and they recover if I didn’t have the anointing of God.” (Art)have the anointing of God.” (Art)

Charisma: “ . . . a certain quality of an individual personality, by virtue of which one is ‘set apart’ from ordinary people and treated as endowed with supernatural, superhuman, or at least specifically exceptional powers or qualities. These as such are not accessible to the ordinary person, but are regarded as divine in origin or as exemplary, and on the basis of them the individual concerned is treated as a leader.” (Weber 1947:358)

how the anointing operates.how the anointing operates.““When the anointing hits, the understanding that I get are not When the anointing hits, the understanding that I get are not

things that I can understand on my own. I’m hyperaware of things that I can understand on my own. I’m hyperaware of my surroundings. I can hear things I couldn’t normally hear. my surroundings. I can hear things I couldn’t normally hear. I can see things that I couldn’t normally see. So that’s not me. I can see things that I couldn’t normally see. So that’s not me. I know that’s not me.” (Terri)I know that’s not me.” (Terri)

““We have a model that you need to be ready when called. We have a model that you need to be ready when called. One time . . . I got up there and didn‘t have any idea what I One time . . . I got up there and didn‘t have any idea what I was going to say. Even now I can’t tell you what I said. After-was going to say. Even now I can’t tell you what I said. After-wards, I had to ask my wife what I said because I was gone. I wards, I had to ask my wife what I said because I was gone. I remember standing up behind the podium and leaving the remember standing up behind the podium and leaving the podium, but all that in between? No clue, Doc.” (Walter)podium, but all that in between? No clue, Doc.” (Walter)

Charisma: “ . . . a certain quality of an individual personality, by virtue of which one is ‘set apart’ from ordinary people and treated as endowed with supernatural, superhuman, or at least specifically exceptional powers or qualities. These as such are not accessible to the ordinary person, but are regarded as divine in origin or as exemplary, and on the basis of them the individual concerned is treated as a leader.” (Weber 1947:358)

when the anointing fails. when the anointing fails. PERSONAL HINDRANCESPERSONAL HINDRANCES““I had this experience recently where I could’ve did wrong, but there’s something in me that says I don’t want to lose my anointing. I don’t want to jeopardize that by doing something that I shouldn’t be doing.” (Doris)” (Doris)

““I think the anointing is something you can lose by sin in your life. I’ve I think the anointing is something you can lose by sin in your life. I’ve heard speakers who I know were anointed. And then you’ll hear them heard speakers who I know were anointed. And then you’ll hear them later or whatever, and you’ll think ‘that was nice’ but it doesn’t hit you later or whatever, and you’ll think ‘that was nice’ but it doesn’t hit you anywhere. I say they’ve lost their anointing. “ (Carla)anywhere. I say they’ve lost their anointing. “ (Carla)

““AUDIENCE” HINDRANCESAUDIENCE” HINDRANCES““God anoints the Word, but that Word has to land on good ground. People God anoints the Word, but that Word has to land on good ground. People have to be receptive to it and you can’t do something if they’re not. If have to be receptive to it and you can’t do something if they’re not. If they’re not open to the Word of God, you can have all the anointing in the they’re not open to the Word of God, you can have all the anointing in the world. It’s not going to change their situation.” (Anisha)world. It’s not going to change their situation.” (Anisha)

““We have all these ‘anointed people’ in this church and we laying on We have all these ‘anointed people’ in this church and we laying on hands but nobody’s recovering from sickness. Something’s definitely hands but nobody’s recovering from sickness. Something’s definitely wrong. I don’t think its necessarily that they’re not anointed as much as I wrong. I don’t think its necessarily that they’re not anointed as much as I think there’s some stuff that hinders the anointing in this church.” think there’s some stuff that hinders the anointing in this church.” (Andrea)(Andrea)

““The anointing you received from Him remains in you, The anointing you received from Him remains in you, and you do not need anyone to teach you. His and you do not need anyone to teach you. His

anointing teaches you about all things.” (I John 2:27)anointing teaches you about all things.” (I John 2:27)

““Don’t go to school, don’t go to college, go to Jesus”Don’t go to school, don’t go to college, go to Jesus”

““Jesus chose common men, everyday men, men used to the Jesus chose common men, everyday men, men used to the sunshine, men used to the rain, not seminary men or college men.”sunshine, men used to the rain, not seminary men or college men.”

From Williams’ (1974) From Williams’ (1974) Community in a Black Pentecostal ChurchCommunity in a Black Pentecostal Church

““Ninety percent of African-American clergy persons are not Ninety percent of African-American clergy persons are not seminary trained. I cannot be a lawyer if I don’t go to law school. I seminary trained. I cannot be a lawyer if I don’t go to law school. I cannot be a doctor if I don’t go to med school. But all I got to do is cannot be a doctor if I don’t go to med school. But all I got to do is

turn around my collar and say ‘hallelujah, I got the anointing’ and I turn around my collar and say ‘hallelujah, I got the anointing’ and I got fifty thousand Negroes following me.”got fifty thousand Negroes following me.”

Pastor Jeremiah Wright (2003) at Pastor Jeremiah Wright (2003) at State Of The Black ChurchState Of The Black Church

the school of the prophets.the school of the prophets.

““I think there’s a danger in seminary; in how they teach you to I think there’s a danger in seminary; in how they teach you to think. The Bible says, ‘Lean not on your own understanding,’ and think. The Bible says, ‘Lean not on your own understanding,’ and I think seminary can really, I don’t know, can really take you I think seminary can really, I don’t know, can really take you away from that” (Darlene)away from that” (Darlene)

““I never prepare a whole lot because I’ve learned the hard way I never prepare a whole lot because I’ve learned the hard way that you’re never going to use that. That is one of the things you that you’re never going to use that. That is one of the things you see a lot with people who have been ‘trained.’ They try to plan out see a lot with people who have been ‘trained.’ They try to plan out their whole message. I think a lot of people who have been their whole message. I think a lot of people who have been taught in seminary are being taught how to do that and not taught in seminary are being taught how to do that and not relying on God to do it. The anointing’s coming if you are relying relying on God to do it. The anointing’s coming if you are relying on God to do it.” (Mike)on God to do it.” (Mike)

SEMINARY TRAINING AS A HANDICAPSEMINARY TRAINING AS A HANDICAP

the school of the prophets.the school of the prophets.

““Ministry can’t be like a vocation where you go to school and learn it like Ministry can’t be like a vocation where you go to school and learn it like a trade, like some skills. I know what I have comes from God. I can’t help a trade, like some skills. I know what I have comes from God. I can’t help wondering when some Dr. Such-and-Such preaches, what book he got wondering when some Dr. Such-and-Such preaches, what book he got that message from.” (Audrey)that message from.” (Audrey)

You have children. Say your children came to Sunday School, which teacher would You have children. Say your children came to Sunday School, which teacher would you rather have in the class: one who was anointed to teach or one who was you rather have in the class: one who was anointed to teach or one who was

anointed to teach and had also been trained in seminary?anointed to teach and had also been trained in seminary?

SEMINARIANS AS LESS AUTHENTICSEMINARIANS AS LESS AUTHENTIC““We can learn the mechanics of something and go through the motions of We can learn the mechanics of something and go through the motions of doing it . You see that with a lot of seminary-trained preachers. They doing it . You see that with a lot of seminary-trained preachers. They learned how to do the technical work of ministry, how to talk, how to learned how to do the technical work of ministry, how to talk, how to make sure you have three points, but they don’t really have any impact make sure you have three points, but they don’t really have any impact because they’re not anointed.” (Cliff)because they’re not anointed.” (Cliff)

““I would say the one who is just anointed. Personally, I think if you need I would say the one who is just anointed. Personally, I think if you need to go to school to learn how to do ministry, that’s a crutch. You can tell to go to school to learn how to do ministry, that’s a crutch. You can tell the difference between someone who was schooled by man and someone the difference between someone who was schooled by man and someone who was schooled by the Holy Ghost.” (Darlene)who was schooled by the Holy Ghost.” (Darlene)

what we need to consider.what we need to consider.Ultimately, these ministers present some problems for Ultimately, these ministers present some problems for our understanding of clergy:our understanding of clergy:

A.A.While they can hold the office of priest, they find their legitimacy in While they can hold the office of priest, they find their legitimacy in their “prophet-ness.” If congregants are anything like these ministers, it their “prophet-ness.” If congregants are anything like these ministers, it is this anointing that is the key to their religious authority. Without it is this anointing that is the key to their religious authority. Without it (and it can go away), all they have is the “hierarchical office.”(and it can go away), all they have is the “hierarchical office.”

B.B.The anointing, like charisma, is dependent on the responses of The anointing, like charisma, is dependent on the responses of “followers.” Unlike with charisma, the anointed leader still believes she “followers.” Unlike with charisma, the anointed leader still believes she is anointed even when the followers don’t follow.is anointed even when the followers don’t follow.

C.C.Instead of increasing the status of Pentecostal ministers, religious Instead of increasing the status of Pentecostal ministers, religious educational credentials actually DECREASE their status in the minds of educational credentials actually DECREASE their status in the minds of other Pentecostal ministers and, possibly, congregants.other Pentecostal ministers and, possibly, congregants.

D.D.We, incorrectly, assume that seminary is (still?) a fundamental part of We, incorrectly, assume that seminary is (still?) a fundamental part of the religious credentialing process. While we can study aspiring doctors the religious credentialing process. While we can study aspiring doctors and lawyers by interviewing med/law school students, we miss a and lawyers by interviewing med/law school students, we miss a number of clerical aspirants by studying only seminarians.number of clerical aspirants by studying only seminarians.

Documents

“A Stutter And A Stick” The (Non-) Value Of Educational Credentialing In Pentecostal Ordination Dr. Richard N. Pitt Vanderbilt University Department of