This dissertation explored the possibility of quantifying and measuring the experience of divine calling to develop and utilize a biblically based instrument, the Vectors of Calling Survey (VCS), with older Christian adolescents to discover the extent of their encounter with God's call. The measure was also used to explore the relationship between calling, identity development, and purpose in life. Divine calling was identified as a life-shaping experience for Christian adolescents, available to all believers, and applicable to all of life. The need for divine calling was juxtaposed to critical issues in post-modern adolescent development, such as ambiguity, adult abandonment, excessive choices, and superficial spirituality. The effect of calling was compared to the psychological concepts of identity, positive development, purpose, and transcendence. A conceptualization of calling was developed from a review of the biblical, historical and practical dimensions of divine calling. The study endorsed a perspective of calling as the intersection of vectors, including listening to God, discovering self, and embracing the world's needs. The development of the VCS included field testing, item analyses, revisions, and validation. The research procedures of the study were explained, including the administration of the VCS with the Ego Process Identity Questionnaire and the Purpose in Life Test to freshman students at three Christian universities. An analysis of findings provided details about the sample and the statistical results. Data from the VCS indicated a sense of divine calling was largely present in the research sample, likely to be expressed by beliefs more than behaviors, and positively associated with identity achievement and purpose in life. A surprise was the significant correlation between foreclosure and a sense of calling. Suggestions for improvements of the research design were offered. Among the conclusions derived from the study were these: (1) a strong sense of calling strengthens identity; (2) calling has broader application than pre-defined ministry roles; and (3) a sense of divine calling can be measured. Implications included the need to advocate calling and to study calling from a developmental perspective. Suggestions for further study included the effects of calling and the facilitation of personal receptiveness to calling.

Text in German and English / This MTh dissertation is about the meaning and change of the pastoral position and role as it is reflected in pastoral theological literature of the last thirty years. For this purpose different concepts of work satisfaction are described and applied to the pastoral context. Furthermore, results of empirical investigations among ministers in German speaking and various other countries are discussed and aspects of job satisfaction of pastors are presented. This is followed by an investigation of changing expectations regarding the pastoral role which affect the job satisfaction of a minister. A comparison of two church orders (1991 and 2003) from Chrischona Switzerland demonstrates the changing job descriptions of pastors within a freechurch denomination. The final chapter is a discussion of some pastoral theological consequences of the relation between changing job descriptions and job satisfaction. / Practical Theology / M.Th. (Practical Theology)

Text in German and English / This MTh dissertation is about the meaning and change of the pastoral position and role as it is reflected in pastoral theological literature of the last thirty years. For this purpose different concepts of work satisfaction are described and applied to the pastoral context. Furthermore, results of empirical investigations among ministers in German speaking and various other countries are discussed and aspects of job satisfaction of pastors are presented. This is followed by an investigation of changing expectations regarding the pastoral role which affect the job satisfaction of a minister. A comparison of two church orders (1991 and 2003) from Chrischona Switzerland demonstrates the changing job descriptions of pastors within a freechurch denomination. The final chapter is a discussion of some pastoral theological consequences of the relation between changing job descriptions and job satisfaction. / Philosophy, Practical and Systematic Theology / M.Th. (Practical Theology)