Clergy in the Crossfire

Coping with Role Conflicts in the Ministry

About the Author 

Dr. Donald Pitner Smith (June 28, 1922 – June 16, 2018) was the General Director of the Vocation Agency of the United Presbyterian Church in the U.S.A from 1972 – 1987. Throughout his career which began in 1946, Dr Smith took interest in developing resources that help grow the effectiveness of pastors and church leaders. His other books include: Congregations Alive (1981), How to Attract and Keep Active Church Members (1992), and Empowering Ministry (1996). 

Smith graduated cum laude from the University of California, Berkeley in 1943. In 1947 and 1957 he bagged the B.D. and S.T.M. degrees from San Francisco Theological Seminary and Union Theological Seminary, New York, respectively. In 1979 he was awarded the honorary degree of Doctor of Divinity by Carroll College in Waukesha, Wisconsin. 

About the Book 

Clergy in the Crossfire is a 232-page research masterpiece. Published in 1973 by Westminster Press, Philadelphia, its aim is to address the challenges of pastoral ministry from the angle of role conflicts. This is a source book of ideas that pastors and churches can use to institute specific programs to address role conflicts. Smith has summarized and analyzed the principal findings of research on the minister’s roles in such a way as to clarify the nature of these dilemmas. It examines and applies some relevant highlights of role theory and some results of studies on the management and reduction of role conflict. It suggests support mechanisms, procedures, and structures that exist or might be created to help clergymen deal with role conflicts. It promotes the possibilities of goal-setting and performance review as two specially promising areas for clergy initiative in the reduction of role confusion and conflict. 

The organization of this book in 3 parts and 14 chapters is such that the succeeding chapters treat the issues raised in the preceding ones. For instance, part one deals with “understanding role conflict and ambiguity,” while part two presents to the pastor “what to do about role ambiguity and conflict.” Part 3 discuses “goal-setting and review,” and the rich appendixes and bibliography that sum up the book are invaluable. 

Every pastor deals with role conflict, so this book is recommended to every pastor. Dr Smith has written not just about the pastor’s role but also the role of the church. Therefore, this book can be read by anyone associated with the church, member or church leader. 

Reviewed by John Okpechi