Research & Data Services
Research at GBHEM
The research office serves as a resource to the staff and board members of the General Board of Higher Education and Ministry, educational institutions related to The United Methodist Church, and the denomination.
To strengthen GBHEM’s position as a leader in higher education and ordained ministry, the vision of the research office is to be a conduit of information in support of the mission of GBHEM.
The research office conducts institutional, denominational, and social scientific research – providing empirical evidence for use in decision making, program design, assessment, and strategic planning.
Papers & Projects
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Research Papers
Ordained Ministry: General
The District Superintendent of The United Methodist Church (2013)
Michelle Fugate Pederson, Ph.D.
Interviews were conducted with 161 district superintendents about the changes in their roles and responsibilities.
Final Survey Findings - Study of Ministry Commission (2007)
Michelle Fugate Pederson, Ph.D.
Feedback from across the denomination on the preliminary draft recommendations of the 2004-2008 Study of Ministry Commission.
Changes in Church & Clergy Membership (2007)
Michelle Fugate Pederson, Ph.D.
Examination of changes in the numbers of members in The United Methodist Church and the clergy roles from the year 2000 to 2005.
Ordained Ministry: Discernment Process
Longitudinal Study Summary of Findings from Pre-Test to One Year (2011)
Michelle Fugate Pederson, Ph.D.
Provides summary of findings of the longitudinal study of EXPLORATION 2009 participants
Longitudinal Study Sample Descriptions (2011)
Michelle Fugate Pederson, Ph.D.
Comparison of EXPLORATION 2009 sample and control group demographics across surveys
Longitudinal Study Methodology (2010)
Michelle Fugate Pederson, Ph.D.
Describes methodology of the longitudinal study of EXPLORATION 2009 participants
Beliefs About Religion & Spirituality Among Young Adults Discerning Their Call (2009)
Michelle Fugate Pederson, Ph.D.
Ordained Ministry: Deacons
Deacon Salary, Benefits, and Satisfaction
Michelle Fugate Pederson, Ph.D.
In depth examination of deacon salary and benefits using a benefits composite score.
Comparison of Deacon Report Findings (2009)
Michelle Fugate Pederson, Ph.D.
Describes how the three deacon reports differ and how to interpret the findings.
New Order of Deacons (2009)
Michelle Fugate Pederson, Ph.D.
Examination of deacon’s perception of their order, their role in ministry, and their job satisfaction.
Deacons: Ordained, Commissioned, Candidate (2008)
Michelle Fugate Pederson, Ph.D.
Describes the demographic makeup of the order of deacons, examines deacon salary, and work satisfaction among deacons who were under appointment at the time of survey completion.
Ordained Ministry: Race/Ethnicity and Gender
Active Clergywomen in Local Churches (2007)
Michelle Fugate Pederson, Ph.D.
Examines the number of senior pastor appointments to large membership churches of clergywomen compared to clergymen in 2006.
Study for Salaries for United Methodist Clergy (2008)
Eric B. Johnson, Ph.D.
The report examines salaries for United Methodist pastors from 1997 to 2008.
Qualitative Analysis & Theological Reflections of the Study for Salaries for United Methodist Clergy
HeeAn Choi, Ph.D. (2008)
This research is a quantitative one. We used several factors, such as gender, race,
seniority, conference contexts, and others, to determine the status of pastor salaries.
Racial Minority Representation in the Annual Conferences of The UMC (2009)
Michelle Fugate Pederson, Ph.D.
Examines the numerical representation of racial minority clergy, laity, and candidates within annual conferences from the year 2000 to 2008.
Ordained Ministry: Seminary/Theological School
Seminary/Theological School of Ordained Full-Connection Elder or Deacon (2009)
Michelle Fugate Pederson, Ph.D.
Identifies the seminary and theological schools where the newly ordained elders and deacons in 2009 received education.
Religious Affiliation of Entering and Graduating Theological School Students 2001- 2011 (2012)
Michelle Fugate Pederson, Ph.D.
Examines religious affiliation data from Association of Theological Schools member institutions for entering and graduating students. Found that UMC affiliation is consistently one of the top three religious affiliations among students.
Higher Education: Fact Books
The General Board of Higher Education and Ministry often receives questions about the nature, scope, and extent of education at the United Methodist-related institutions. These fact books are offered as a resource for GBHEM staff, directors, colleges, universities and the denomination so that they might better understand the breadth of United Methodist-related higher education.
2009-2010 United Methodist-related higher education summary sheet
Michelle Fugate Pederson, Ph.D.
Side by side comparison of selected figures in from the three fact books including total number of students, average tuition, graduation rate and more.
2009-2010 United Methodist-related Two-Year Colleges
Michelle Fugate Pederson, Ph.D.
Includes enrollment, admissions, completion rates, demographics and more for United Methodist–related two-year colleges.
2009-2010 United Methodist-related Historically Black Colleges & Universities
Michelle Fugate Pederson, Ph.D.
Includes enrollment, admissions, completion rates, demographics and more for United Methodist–related Historically Black Colleges & Universities.
2009-2010 United Methodist-related Colleges & Universities
Michelle Fugate Pederson, Ph.D.
Includes enrollment, admissions, completion rates, demographics and more for United Methodist–related colleges and universities.
Higher Education: General
Student Religious Affiliation: United Methodist-Related Higher Education Institutions 2010
Michelle Fugate Pederson, Ph.D.
Describes the religious affiliation, Protestant denomination, and Protestant tradition of the student population at United Methodist–related higher education institutions in academic year 2010-2011.
Student Religious Affiliation: United Methodist-Related Higher Education Institutions 2009
Michelle Fugate Pederson, Ph.D.
Describes the religious affiliation, Protestant denomination, and Protestant tradition of the student population at United Methodist–related higher education institutions in academic year 2009 - 2010.
Student Religious Affiliation: United Methodist-Related Higher Education Institutions Years 2004-2008
Michelle Fugate Pederson, Ph.D.
Describes the religious affiliation and denomination of the student population at United Methodist –related higher education institutions.
Logic Model Development The Black College Fund of The United Methodist Church (2007)
Michelle Fugate Pederson, Ph.D.
Theory of Change logic model articulating the underlying assumptions and theories regarding the historical development of the Black College Fund. Outcomes Based logic model describing the program design, progress toward achieving desired results, and implications.