Review by Choice Review
In this thorough study of vocational identity among clergy in the Church of God in Christ (COGIC--the historic African American Pentecostal denomination), sociologist Pitt (Vanderbilt) demonstrates how male and female ministers legitimate their "calling" alongside the corporate structures (churches, seminaries) that sanction their charismatic authority. A calling is an inescapable imperative direct from God (most often toward preaching/teaching) affirmed by a congregational community. First emotions of being "called" are generally negative (fear, anxiety, anger, doubt). Some have a "blitzkrieg" experience urging them toward ministry, including the only lifetime experience of hearing God audibly; others "drift" into ministry. Calling requires rehearsing and staging adequate performances before a congregation. The majority of Pitt's respondents are not full-time pastors, but enact their calling through other roles. By focusing on the subjectivity of religious professionals, Pitt productively highlights race and gender issues in achieving professional status, especially how experiencing and asserting an "anointing" (a distinctive impartation of the Holy Spirit) for ministry becomes critical in the absence of educational credentials, paid religious employment, or ordination processes. He describes various failures in calling. A valuable book on religious identity enactment and legitimation processes that establish religious authority. Summing Up: Highly recommended. All levels/libraries. G. Marti Davidson College
Copyright American Library Association, used with permission.
Review by Choice Review
