REPORT OF RESEARCH: ADULT LEARNING STRATEGIES AND SETTINGS USED TO ACQUIRE SPECIALIZED PROFESSIONAL KNOWLEDGE

Abstract

The purpose of this study was to describe the context, setting, and learning strategies employed by both novice and experienced clergy seeking to develop pastoral capabilities. Using a case study method, a thorough description of the learning processes occurring within an organizational social group was described. The case focused on a group of African- American clergy from the African Methodist Episcopal Church (AMEC). The findings confirm that AMEC clergy have identifiable and describable strategies for learning the professional capabilities to pastor, both prior to and during service in the role. Other findings include: • The organizational context defines expectations for AMEC clergy; • Learning strategy is constructed after one’s personal expectations and organizational/local church expectations have been considered; • AMEC clergy develop capabilities in either formal, nonformal, or informal settings; • AMEC clergy learn from personal experiences with people and learning from accomplishments as well as mistakes made. A conclusion drawn from this study is that learners do have individual strategy preferences, but it is the organization that strongly influences the strategy choice. In other words, the learner must modify his or her learning approach to fit the learning approaches valued by the organization.