Pastors’ Friendships, Part 1: Project Overview and an Exploration of the Pedestal Effect

Abstract

This is the first of two reports of a study exploring the expectation that pastors would be discouraged from forming close friendships by a “pedestal effect,” norms of propriety, and antifraternization norms. Members of 12 congregations responded to their pastor or to a control layman, providing data on the pedestal effect, norms, and friendship expressed toward the pastor or control. Each pastor also estimated the pedestal effect and norms in his congregation. Pastors’ closest friendships were no less strong or rewarding than those of controls. The overall pedestal effect was mild, and was unrelated to pastors’ closest friendships. This effect appeared to be an individual rather than a congregational matter, and parishioners showing a stronger effect were less inclined to express friendship toward their pastors. No pedestal effect was found for controls. Congregational norms will be considered in our second report.