About Site Language

WHDL is viewable in multiple languages. Use the pull-down menu to select a language to view the site.

I changed my language, but I’m still seeing resources in the other languages?

If a resource or text has not been translated into your selected language, it will appear in the initially added language. We are always looking for help translating these resources. If you can help, contact us!

WHDL - 00021569

COMPARING GENERATIONAL PRIORITIES FOR CONTINUING SPIRITUAL FORMATION AMONG PENTECOSTAL PASTORS

Surtalicito C. Del Rosario

Resource Types

Academic (Thesis, Dissertation, Etc.)

Resource Languages

English

Institutional Repository

Description / Abstract

Spiritual formation is a lifelong, evolving process that reflects the intersection of personal faith, ministerial experience, and theological development. This dissertation examines the distinct formation priorities of middle-adult and older-adult Pentecostal pastors, analyzing how their spiritual growth needs shift as they progress through different life stages. Using a mixed-methods research design, the study integrates qualitative interviews and quantitative survey data to explore the ways in which pastors conceptualize and engage in continuing spiritual formation. Findings reveal clear generational distinctions in formation priorities. Middle adult pastors (40–64 years old) connect spiritual formation with leadership development, theological refinement, and personal resilience, viewing it as an essential process for sustaining ministerial effectiveness amid the pressures of active church leadership. Their approach is structured and goal-oriented, favoring formal theological education, pastoral training, and peer accountability networks. By contrast, older-adult pastors (65+ years old) approach formation with an emphasis on wisdom, legacy-building, and faith transmission. Their priorities shift from active leadership development to mentoring younger pastors, engaging in Theological Reflection, and ensuring doctrinal continuity. While both groups affirm the necessity of lifelong formation, their practices, concerns, and expectations differ significantly. This study affirms that spiritual formation is generationally shaped, aligning with life development theories. It also draws from Macchia’s Spirit-empowered formation framework, highlighting pastoral growth's relational, pneumatological, and missional dimensions. The findings challenge one-size-fits-all approaches to ministerial formation, advocating instead for age-responsive formation strategies that address pastors' distinct theological and vocational needs at different life stages. The study concludes with practical recommendations for theological institutions, denominational leadership, local churches, and pastoral families. It calls for theological curricula tailored to life-stage-specific needs, structured mentorship programs that foster intergenerational learning, and denominational initiatives that support pastoral well-being and renewal. Additionally, it identifies key areas for future research, including the formation trajectories of young-adult pastors, the impact of gender on pastoral development, and longitudinal studies on the long-term evolution of ministerial formation. By recognizing the generational dynamics of pastoral spiritual formation, this study contributes to the broader discourse on lifelong ministerial development and provides a framework for sustaining spiritually vibrant, theologically grounded, and missionally engaged Pentecostal pastors across all stages of ministry.

Download this Resource

Download Free from WHDL

Download as a PDF: EN_DelRosarioSurtalicito_Comparing generational priorities for continuing spiritual formation_Full document
File Size Small - 10.1 MB
Download as a PDF: Signature page_DelRosarioSurtalicito
File Size Small - 1 MB

Go to Download Information

Publish Year: 2025

Subject Index

KeywordsPentecostal spirituality, spiritual formation, pastoral leadership, generational differences, theological education, mentorship, lifelong formation

Degree AwardedDoctor of Philosophy in Transformational Learning

Awarding InstitutionAsia-Pacific Nazarene Theological Seminary

Committee MembersIrene Yang, Romerlito Macalinao, Jose Abraham, Marie Joy Faraz, David Ackerman

Supervisor or ChairPhoenicia Datu

Peer Reviewed?No

Keep Browsing