Nature and sources of the clergy's involvement with mentally retarded persons and their families.

The variety of services provided by clergy on behalf of mentally retarded persons and their families was investigated. Rating scales, administered during semi-structured interviews, were used with a diverse sample of 40 pastors to explore: services already provided; willingness to undertake other services; felt competence to provide the services on a comprehensive list; suggestions for dividing the responsibility for each service among parents, clergy, and secular professionals. The data displayed a wide range of services provided by the sample as a whole, revealed substantial individual differences, and showed clear preferences for some areas of service over others. Involvement in a given area was strongly associated with feelings of competence but not feelings of responsibility. Relationships with secular specialists and prospects for enhancing the clergy's involvement were discussed.