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Marriages of two clergy-persons

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Abstract

Defines a “clergy couple” as a married couple, each person ordained or licensed, and each employed by the church. Gives current statistics on the number of clergy couples in eleven denominations. Decribes how it works in practice in a variety of arrangements. Lists the advantages for a congregation and for the couple. Describes some problem areas for some couples. Lists some characteristics of a successful clergy couple ministry. Asserts that clergy couples are a growing phenomenon and concludes that it is a legitimate, viable option for ministry.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Parish Ministries Staff, Church of the Brethren, Elgin, Illinois

    Ralph L. & Mary Cline Detrick

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  1. Ralph L.
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  2. Mary Cline Detrick
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Editor's Note: This article, as submitted, carried the title “Clergy Couples.” This term, as the readers soon will discover, is used to describe what I, and others, have described as “two-clergy couples,” or “two-clergy marriages.” The term “clergy couple” has been widely used in the past (since at least 1951) to describe any marriage involving a clergy member, and it is so used in four of the five articles in this issue.

I am aware that in 1978 the Ohio Consultation for two-clergy couples firmly claimed the title “clergy couple” with the intent of changing the earlier usage. Only the future will determine which usage will ultimately win general acceptance.

In order to avoid confusion, however, I decided to change the title of this article; but within the article itself, the original terminology of the authors remains unchanged.

Ralph L. Detrick has shared employment, parenting and homemaking with his wife, Mary, for the last seven years. Both are employed by the Church of the Brethren with responsibilities for Life Cycle Ministry, Youth/Young Adult Ministry and Person Awareness in Elgin, Illinois.

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Ralph, L., Detrick, M.C. Marriages of two clergy-persons. Pastoral Psychol 30, 170–178 (1982). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF01151722

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