Expectation versus reality among male graduates of seminary who entered the ministry: A phenomenological study

The past three decades have witnessed a growing body of literature on pastoral health and longevity in ministry. However, little attention in the literature is devoted to the connection between educational expectations formed in seminary and ministry realities experienced in and among congregations. Using the phenomenological approach of Clark Moustakas, this study explored the lived experiences of seven male graduates of Reformed Theological Seminary, a seminary in the Presbyterian tradition, who were ordained to pastoral ministry. The participants, while grateful for their theological preparation, reported dissatisfaction about the adequacy of their education for the complexities of ministry. In sum, for these participants a disconnection between seminary preparation and pastoral life was perceived.