Many students know little about their denomination, but they know firsthand about forced termination of church staff, conflict within congregations and a perceived lack of respect for church leaders, said Micheal Summers, director of church services at Wayland Baptist University. “I see a high level of disillusionment with the local church among students.�

At the graduate level, the desire to avoid the conflict that comes with accepting a pastoral role seems to be steering a growing number of students into other staff positions, as well as to institutional ministry roles such as chaplains, said Daniel Bagby, professor of pastoral ...