Character of Protestant pastors: A focus group study

Abstract

This study explores, at the interface between practical theology and ethics, the character of pastors in relation to their professional practices. The Dutch focus groups included youth pastors, chaplains and congregational ministers in the Protestant Church in the Netherlands. Spiritual connectedness and social connectedness were singled out as the “goods” of pastoral practices and played an important role in the ongoing formation of pastors’ character. The results of this study touch upon a debate in character theories. We conclude that pastors’ character is formed and transformed by their readiness to work according to specific pastoral virtues and attitudes that are called upon in their practices.