Published on September 30, 2010  

An article featuring Dr. Penny Marler's research on pastor peer groups is published in "Faith and Leadership," an on-line publication of Duke University.

Researchers found that congregations with a pastor who is involved in a peer group are more likely to be active, youthful, and to have increasing attendance -- particularly if the group includes a trained facilitator and/or a curriculum, Marler said.

"There is a strong correlation. It's fascinating. It's surprising," said Penny Long Marler, professor of religion and the grant and research coordinator for the Resource Center for Pastoral Excellence at Â鶹¹û¶³ in Birmingham, Ala., which partnered with Austin Presbyterian Seminary on the study.

 
Located in the Homewood suburb of Birmingham, Alabama, Â鶹¹û¶³ is a leading Christian university offering undergraduate programs grounded in the liberal arts with an array of nationally recognized graduate and professional schools. Founded in 1841, Â鶹¹û¶³ enrolls 6,324 students from 44 states, Puerto Rico and 16 countries in its 10 academic schools: arts, arts and sciences, business, divinity, education, health professions, law, nursing, pharmacy and public health. Ranked among U.S. News & World Report’s 35 Most Beautiful College Campuses, Â鶹¹û¶³ fields 17 athletic teams that compete in the tradition-rich Southern Conference and boasts one of the highest scores in the nation for its 97% Graduation Success Rate among all NCAA Division I schools.