Ministry Guidance Conference featuring Dr. Todd Ferguson

Why Clergy Are Alienated from their Calling, Congregation, and Career
Presented by Todd Ferguson

Baylor University invites you to participate in the 2024 Ministry Guidance Conference sponsored by the Department of Religion through its Ministry Guidance Program. This annual continuing education event for ministers will be held at the Hurd Welcome Center on Wednesday, March 13.  Dr. Todd Ferguson will be the speaker for this year’s conference, “STUCK: Why Clergy Are Alienated from their Calling, Congregation, and Career.” 

Dr. Todd W. Ferguson is a sociologist at Rice University in Houston where he is the Director of the Social Sciences Quantitative Methods Program and an Assistant Teaching Professor of Sociology. As a sociologist of religion, Todd’s research focuses on congregations and clergy. Most recently, he served as the Texas team leader for the “Exploring the Pandemic’s Impact on Congregations,” a nationwide study that used surveys, interviews, and ethnographic techniques to see how COVID changed churches. 

Before he became a sociologist, Todd was a Baptist pastor in Houston. This experience led him to become a sociologist so he could have the toolkit necessary to see how large social forces impact people’s faith. We are excited to hear from Dr. Ferguson about assisting current and future clergy.

Details: Registration will begin at 9:30 a.m. at the Mark & Paula Hurd Welcome Center (see map attached) in Ballroom A with the conference to follow at 10 a.m. in the same location. Coffee, soft drinks, and water will be provided. The first 50 people to register will also receive a free copy of Dr. Ferguson’s book. At 11:45, we will adjourn for a book signing and lunch next door in Ballroom B & C. Dr. Ferguson will also be the speaker at the luncheon. There is no fee for the conference or the lunch, but there is limited space. Please make your reservation prior to Friday, February 23, by emailing Heather_Starkey@baylor.edu.  If you prefer, you may make your reservation by telephone at 254-710-3739.