This collection of essays results from the Cooperative Clergy Study Project in which more than 8,800 ministry workers participated. Smidt concludes that there is a 'general pattern...of theological and political consistancy within denominations' with regard to the level of involvement of ministers in political life. In addition, 'evangelical pastors continue to be more likely than mainline Protestant ministers to exibit theological orthodoxy. Likewise, those clergy who have obtained a seminary degree continue to be less orthodox than those who are not seminary graduates....' Also, 'Evangelical pastors continue to be less active politically than their mainline counterparts, though such differences have narrowed....' Overall, engagement of clergy in politics is declining. As the clergy becomes more educated, Smidt wonders how that will affect the unity of clergy with their congregations.
