THE LIVED EXPERIENCES OF FILIPINO

SEVENTH-DAY ADVENTIST PASTOR’S KIDS

AREVALO, JAMEREY T.
BACOLOD, KIRK CHUM
BUHAT, CHELSEA

AN UNDERGRADUATE THESIS PROPOSAL SUBMITTED TO THE FACULTY

OF SCHOOL OF NURSING, MOUNTAIN VIEW COLLEGE AS PARTIAL
FULFILLMENT OF THE REQUIREMENT FOR THE DEGREE BACHELOR OF
SCIENCE IN NURSING

JANUARY 13, 2022

 TABLE OF CONTENTS

I. INTRODUCTION.........................................................................................……1

Background of the Study………………………………………..………….1

Statement of the Problem………………………………………..…………2
Research Questions……………………………………………..………….4
Significance of The Study……………………………………..…………...4

II. REVIEW OF RELATED LITERATURE………………………..……………..7

SDA Denomination…………………………………………..…………….7
Family…………………………………………..…………………..7
Children and Youth……………………………..………………….8
Difference of PK’s from other Kids…………………..……………………8
Normal Kids, Abnormal Life…………………………..…………..8
Education of PK’s…………………………..……………………...9
Stereotypes on PK’s……………………………………..…………………9
Culture………………………………………..…………………...10
Comparison………………………………………..………………10
Bad Eggs………………………………………..…………………11
Children of Religious Leaders in the Bible…..…………………...12
Influence of Media…………………..……………………………12
Challenges of PK’s…………………………………………..……………13
Working Parents…………………………………..………………13
Dual-earners………………………………………..……………..14
Lack of Professional Care……………………………..………….14
Frequent Relocation……………………………………..………..15
Public View……………………………………………..………...16
Expectations from the Congregation and Society……..………….16
Expectations from Parents…………………………..…………….17
The PK’s Unheard Voice…………………………..……………...18
Coping of PK’s……………………………………………..……………..18
When PK’s Leave the Church…………………………..………...19
Role Confusion……………………………………..……………..19
Serving the Church……………………………………..…………20
Study Framework…………………………………………………..……..21
Operational Definition of Terms………………………………………….22
III. METHODOLOGY……………………………………………………………23

Qualitative Research……………………………………………………..23
Phenomenological Research……………………………………………..24
Transcedental Phenomenology…………………………………………..25
Philosophical Underpinnings of Transcedental Phenomenology…….…25
Ontological Perspective…………………………………………..25
Epistemological Perspective……………………………………...26
Axiological Perspective…………………………………………..26
Research Setting………………………………………………………….27
Sample and Sampling Procedures………………………………………..28
Purposive Sampling………………………………………………28
Research Tools……………………………………………………………28
Interviews…………………………………………………………28
Face-to-Face Interviews…………………………………………..29
Analytical Notes…………………………………………………..29
Demographic Profile Survey Form……………………………….30
Reflexivity Statement……………………………………………………..30
Data Collection Procedures……………………………………………….31
Data Analysis……………………………………………………………..32
Horizontalization…………………………………………………33
Clusters of Meaning………………………………………………33
Textural Descriptions……………………………………………..34
Structural Descriptions……………………………………………34
Rigors of the Study………………………………………………………35
Credibility………………………………………………………...35
Triangulation……………………………………………………...35
Member Checking………………………………………………...35
Transferability…………………………………………………….36
Dependability……………………………………………………..36
Audit Trial………………………………………………………...36
Dependability Audit………………………………………………37
Peer Examination…………………………………………………37
Confirmability…………………………………………………….37
Ethical Issues……………………………………………………………..37
Scope and Limitations……………………………………………………39

IV. Trancendental Analysis

V. Essence and Recommendations
VI. References
VII. Appendix
 CHAPTER I

INTRODUCTION

Background of the Study

Pastor's kid (PK) is a term refer to a child of a preacher, pastor, deacon, vicar,

lay leader, priest, minister or other similar church leader. Due to the expectations placed

on them, they often experience pressure. First, people expects them to be a little angel, a

model child who lives by the rule book and follows in the footsteps of his or her

minister parent. In many churches, this is an expectation as much as it is a stereotype.

Yet, perhaps the dominant stereotype of the pastor’s kid is the prodigal wayward child,

the rebel who has fallen away from the faith, the backslidden who’d rather strike out on

their own than live in the shadow of the steeple. It has become normal to society that

when they hear of a “PK”, all that rings in their mind is a reckless, proud, arrogant,

pompous, uncontrollable, resistant and disrespectful child. They have been portrayed as

bad eggs (Daye, 2012).

Likewise in the Bible, this is common, there are circumstances where children of

ministers betrayed the faith of their parents and became rebellious. The book of 1

Samuel 2:12-36 talks of an Israelite priest Eli despite his devotion to serve in the

temple, he had scoundrel sons Hophni and Phineas. The sons abused the temple and

raped women at the entrance of the temple till God killed them. Eli ended up losing his

priestly duties and died as well. Genesis 19:30-38 talks of daughters of a man of God,

Lot who lived in Sodom and Gomorrah and his daughters slept with him.

PK’s are normal kids but living in an abnormal life. Pk’s live their lives based on

the peoples’ expectations. PK’s will learn how to live up to expectations and

1
comparisons when those opinions are shared freely. But it won’t be for the right

reasons. They will slip into being the good girl or good boy, just to please others.

Eventually, they will resent this role that has been forced upon them (Piper, 2013).

Furthermore, PK’s leave the Church due to constant pressure, expectations and

stereotypes from people. When they cannot cope with these situations , their path will

wander to the wrong direction; which resulted to them, leaving the Church (Berry,

2014). PK’s experience lack of professional care, although some denominations or

churches do provide counseling or similar services for their pastors, it seems to be more

often the case that the pastor or pastor’s family is overlooked when it comes to helping

them work through major issues in their lives(Strange & Sheppard, 2001).

Overall, since little is known about the living experiences of Pastor’s kids in the

Seventh-day Adventist denomination it would be beneficial to examine and unfold what

this kids have gone through and how stereotypes and expectations affect their way of

living. This paper aims to discover the lifeworld of PK’s specifically, the living

experiences of Filipino SDA Pastor’s Kids.

Statement of the Problem

PK’s live on stereotypes. First, there’s the model child, who lives by the

rulebook and follows in the footsteps of his or her minister parent. Yet perhaps the

dominant stereotype of the pastor’s kid is the prodigal—the wayward child, the rebel

who has fallen away from the faith, the backslidden who’d rather strike out on their own

than live in the shadow of the steeple. It has become normal to society that when they

hear of a “pastor’s kid”, all that rings in their mind is a reckless, proud, arrogant,

pompous, uncontrollable, resistant and disrespectful child. After all, those named above

2
have chosen different routes. Some have willingly taken up the ministry as their own

calling, while others have disassociated with the Christian faith entirely, and others still

have gone through a period of rebellion only to return with a renewed sense of spiritual

purpose (Aycock, 2011).

The problem is, society rarely thinks of sitting down with these kids and get to

know them more and perhaps dig out on what influences the so called “prodigal

behaviour” which props out in them. PK’s are not bad, they just lack parental guidance

since their parents are devoted to a large family, that is, the Church. According to

Chikiwa (2018), it is a reality that many PK’s have been trapped by the devil to be

rebellious and a threat to their parent’s status. However, society overlooks the

circumstances leading to this behaviour and also fails to appreciate PK’s who follow the

path of their parents or become better people. Others can make mistakes and the mistakes

are always forgiven. But when the pastor's children make mistakes they are sometimes

forgiven but seldom forgotten. It is high time the society and the media put off the

stereotypical lenses and join hands to mould these kids into a complete character

(Piper,2013). These inspired the researchers to unfold and focus the lens on the living

experiences of PK’s in order for us to understand their reality.

Research Questions

This study aims to uncover the lived experiences of Pastor’s

kids. Three questions were geared to achieve this goals:

a. What are the joys of being a Pastor’s Kid?

b. What challenges does a Pastor’s Kid face?

c. How does a Pastor’s Kid cope with life?

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 Significance of the Study

The result of the study will serve as a guideline to establish and provide knowledge

and understanding of the students who are children of Pastors. The undertaking will be

beneficial to:

Nursing Education

This study focuses on the lived experiences of PK’s which centers on how family

settings (having a Pastor as the father) in particular can affect the children’s way of life.

Family-centered care is an important part of nursing education and curricula because it is

a way of providing services that assures the health and well-being of children and their

families through respectful family/professional partnerships.

Nursing Practice

This study could help nurse practitioners improve their ability to communicate and

understand the patient and their families. Nurses have a defined role in family-centered

care. They coach patients and families; orient and prepare them for procedures and

treatments and to be an advocate in promoting healthy family relations.

Denominational Leaders

This study can help PK’s, by creating programs that promote in developing bonds

between Pastors and their children. Denominational Leaders can help envision and design

faith formation for children and parents. With the title of being a denominational leader

they can be a counselor, coach and train workers for a better development of a lifelong

relationship with the church, community and families.

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Pastors

This study can be seen as beneficial to PK’s due to the fact that this can be a way to

develop parent and child relationship and also to understand their children more. With

this study they can also understand the feelings or unvoiced concerns of the children with

regards to pressure, being an “example” and the word “a child of a pastor”.

Future Researchers

This study will help PK’s to enhance the knowledge about their lived experiences

and could be a great help in generating ideas for further research and exploration. This

can be a pattern, example and reference to those researchers inclined and to explore more

on the concept or idea about lifestyle and practices. It can also be a contribution to the

existing body of knowledge about decision making and behaviors of children of the

denominational workers.

Scope and Limitations of the Study

This qualitative study will focus on the lived experiences of the Seventh-Day

Adventist (SDA) Pastors’ Kids. The scope of this study will center on the Pastor’s kids

From Northern Mindanao, Philippines. The study would be done through Qualitative

Phenomenological-Transcendental approach. The study will be conducted in Mountain

View College. Participants will be chosen using Purposive sampling approach and 10

participants will be chosen. By this strategy the researchers will be able to unfold the

lived experiences of Filipino SDA PK’s.

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 Chapter II

REVIEW OF RELATED LITERATURE

This chapter presents literature and studies related to Pastor’s kids, the society,

education, development and factors that affect their living experiences. The related

literature were gathered from books, journals, online and other research papers.

This chapter will discuss on topics about SDA denomination, Nature and work of a

pastor, joys of PK’s , challenges of PK’s, and coping of PK’s.

Seventh-day Adventist Denomination

The Seventh-day Adventist Church (SDA) is a Protestant Christian denomination

which is distinguished by its observance of Saturday, the seventh day of the week in

Christian and Jewish calendars, as the Sabbath, and its emphasis on the imminent Second

Coming of Jesus Christ. As of 2019, there are 323,072 active workers under the

denomination and 20,802 ordained Pastors. The Seventh Day Adventists are doctrinally

heirs of the Millerite Movement of the 1840’s, and that the name “SEVENTH DAY

ADVENTIST” was chosen in 1860 ( SDA GC, 2021).

Family. Adventists believe that trust must be maintained in human relationships.

For most Adventists, the hope of having children is powerful. Because of their conviction

that God is concerned with all dimensions of human life, they are committed to the

principle that procreation is God’s gift and should be used to glorify God and bless

humanity. According to the Adventist tradition, it is God’s ideal for children to have the

benefits of a stable family with active participation of both mother and father. Decisions

about family and family life are personal matters that should be made mutually between

husband and wife (Walters, 2012).

6
 Children and Youth. PK’s are incredibly important to the Adventist Church and the

Adventist Church does everything possible to promote their well being and development.

The Children’s Ministries Department develops relevant age-appropriate resources to

share the Bible with children from birth to the age of fourteen. As they learn from the

Bible, children are often the first to embrace the love of Jesus and want to share it with

others. The Children’s Ministries Department helps nurture the spiritual growth of

children and trains them as young leaders. Not only the children, the church also has a

department for the youth. The youth of the Seventh-day Adventist Church are valued not

just as its future but as incredibly important current community members. The Youth

Department helps develop resources and programming to support and mentor young

people. Also, they find relevant ways to encourage and train youth as they help their

communities to study the Bible to find freedom, healing and hope in Jesus (SDA GC,

2021).

Nature and Work of a Pastor

Not everyone can be a pastor, and the Bible contains multiple mentions of the

necessary pastoral qualities every potential aspirant should have. In the Bible the terms

overseer, elder and shepherd are synonymous to a Pastor. According to 1 Timothy 3:2, an

overseer has to be temperate, respectable, above reproach, self-controlled, able to teach

and, most importantly, faithful to his wife. The similar sentiment is supported in Titus

1:6, where it is added that the elder’s children need to believe. Continuing the notion of

family values, 1 Timothy 3:4-5 states that a pastor should manage his family well, and

his children have to obey him, because if he cannot manage his own family, how would

he be able to take good care of God’s church?

7
 Titus 1:7 talks about how an overseer (pastor) has to be blameless. He cannot be

overbearing or quick tempered. He cannot pursue dishonest gain, give in to drunkenness

or be violent. The same is also mentioned in 1 Timothy 3:3, with the addition of the fact

that a pastor cannot be quarrelsome, or be a lover of money. The next verse of Titus 1:8

mentions that a pastor has to be hospitable, upright, disciplined and holy. A good pastor

should be a loving and caring friend to each and every member of their flock

(congregation). They should be dedicated to their people and be invested in their lives

(Kolesnick, 2018).

Becoming an SDA Pastor

Those who are interested in becoming pastors typically start by expressing their

interest to the pastor of their church. Each denomination has its own process for training

and ordaining pastors and ministers, but in general, one must first be a member in good

standing of one’s congregation to begin the process (US Bureau of Labor and Statistics,

2021).

In the SDA Denomination, understanding and accepting the Seventh Day

Adventist doctrine is the first step in becoming an evangelist or pastor for the church

(Burney, 2021). Candidates must be baptized members of the Seventh-day Adventist

Church. To prepare for a position as a pastor or minister, candidates may be required to

take college courses or complete a degree program. Burney (2021), added that majoring

in theology as a college undergrad is preferable. After graduation, candidates will be

able to petition for ordination or licensure as a pastor at an Adventist Conference in their

area. The conference is responsible for assigning them to a church where they will work

8
as an evangelist. They may also work your way up through the ranks of the church by

taking on ministries and eventually being ordained as a pastor. Ordination is the act of

formally conveying a ministerial credential (SDA Church Manual, 2021).

The Seventh Day Adventist church has several categories of pastors: ordained

pastors, who lead an individual church; licensed ministers, who are authorized to preach

and evangelize, but can more or less be thought of as "in training" for becoming an

ordained pastor; and Bible instructors, who work with evangelists and local

congregations. Seventh Day Adventist pastors are not charged with any administrative

duties, rather ordained pastors are assigned to a church where they are tasked with

leading rites and ceremonies and to serve as the spiritual leader of the church (King,

2015).

Joys of being a PK

Being a child of a pastor is a blessing. It brings benefits not only to the child but

the family as a whole. There were all kinds of advantages in being a PK (Rankin, 2021).

They were personally taught that it is a joy and honor to serve the Lord, and that the

benefits far outweigh the sacrifices. Though there are some pitfalls, there are many, many

blessings. They are privileged to see miracles happen before their very eyes. They get to

take part in praying for the congregation and watch the Lord answer those prayers. They

invest their little hearts into some of those prayer requests and even initiate the prayers

often times. They get to tag along with their dad to ministry events and watch him

firsthand ministering and teaching people about Jesus (Idleman, 2019).

9
 In a pastor’s home PK’s are around great men and women of God who visit, preach and

teach in the church. PK’s are also raised in a home where the Bible is the guide book for

life. They are in a family that believes and lives by the moral code of the Ten

Commandments. They also witness the benefits of honoring God in the home. They are

much less likely to be the product of a broken home. They have a good probability of

coming to know the Lord at an early age (Wright, 2015).

Difference of PK’s From Other Kids

PK’s are human beings. They are just like any other kids. But oftentimes, they are

compared to non-PK’s and the eyes of the society became a magnet whenever they

commit mistakes. They tend to judge PK’s easily unlike the other kids.

Normal Kids, Abnormal Life. Piper (2013), stated that PK’s are as normal as

other ordinary kids. PK’s are born with varieties of gifts, inclinations, propensities, and

talents just like all the other kids. Some love sports, some love to read, and others love

the arts. Some are quiet and some are boisterous. Some are lazy and others are studious.

Just like all the other kids. And just like them all have kids one thing in common: all are

sinners. Every PK is born from the same seed of Adam that every plumber’s, banker’s, or

musician’s kid is. It’s important to state this right up front because it is a step toward

setting the right expectations: all sinned. And Yet Pk’s are treated differently, there are

expectations that are put into them and that society separates them from ordinary kids. As

if, they had their own sets of standards.

Education of Pk’s. To enlarge the reservoir of future church employees and lay

church leaders, the SDA Church also used to grant education assistance to the

10
employees’ children especially PK’s. They are encouraged to support the Church's

philosophy of Christian education by enrolling their children in Seventh-day Adventist

schools. This is also applicable in other denominations. This is for the purpose of

assisting youth in making a decision for a commitment to Christ thus perpetuating the

practice of Seventh- Day Adventist beliefs and teachings, enlarging the reservoir of

future employees and lay church leaders. Furthermore, in providing a positive example,

and reducing the possibility that the children adopt a lifestyle that is not in harmony with

the teaching of the Church (Columbia SDA Conference, 2013). Therefore, Pk’s are

encouraged to study on the schools of their own denomination for them to take-over their

parents responsibilities in the future.

Stereotypes On Pk’s

Pastor’s Kids live on stereotypes. They live in how culture, norms and society

figure then on who they are and what they should do. First, there’s the model child, who

lives by the rulebook and follows in the footsteps of his or her minister parent. Yet

perhaps the dominant stereotype of the pastor’s kid is the prodigal, wayward child, the

rebel who has fallen away from the faith.

Culture. Pastors’ kids are raised in a unique culture of expectation. They share

the name of their father, and as such, they often live in the awareness that their words,

attitudes and actions are a reflection of the family’s spiritual position. But while their

parent may have been called to ministry, the social expectations placed upon them can

leave some PK’s thinking, “I didn’t sign up for this.” Like all parents, pastors are only

human. And their self–confessed failures and successes in parenting provide an

11
intriguing study in contrast. Pastors feel they’ve parented successfully in teaching their

children right principles to live by—in terms of faith, values and moral choices. Yet

when asked about their parenting regrets, pastors’ answers reflect primarily on relational

deficiencies and lack of time with their children (Kinnaman, 2013).

Comparison. PK’s might be compared to previous pastor’s kids. They might be

compared to someone’s own children. Or the expectations might simply be what

someone thinks is appropriate behavior for a pastor’s kid. Regardless of what the

expectations are, they are generally based on comparison. And this is dangerous. And

unfair. Pastor’s kids will learn how to live up to expectations and comparisons when

those opinions are shared freely. But it won’t be for the right reasons. They will slip into

being the good girl or good boy, just to please others. Eventually, they will resent this

role that has been forced upon them. But sometimes the pastor and his wife expect their

children to sit perfectly still, to always close their eyes when prayers are being said, to

never cause a disruption (Daye, 2012). Pastors’ children are thought to face greater

pressures than other children. Bayer, Kent, and Dutton (1972) also agreed that in “the

public mind, the children of clergymen are stereotyped to a greater extent than are the

offspring of almost any other professional group”. The former, more positive stereotype

of the saint is the “idea that PKs, compared to other kids are academically superior,

highly motivated, possess firm moral values, and demonstrate a commitment to serve

mankind” (Bayer et al., 1972). Sometimes this stereotype includes the assumption that

the pastor’s child is super-spiritual or knows as much about the Bible or theology as does

the pastor, as if he or she automatically absorbs this knowledge simply by living with a

Bible scholar. (Aycock , 2011).

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 Bad Eggs. It has become normal to society that when they hear of a PK, all that

rings in their mind is a reckless, proud, arrogant, pompous, uncontrollable, resistant and

disrespectful child. Pastor’s kids have been portrayed as bad eggs. After all, those named

above have chosen different routes. Some have willingly taken up the ministry as their

own calling, while others have disassociated with the Christian faith entirely, and others

still have gone through a period of rebellion only to return with a renewed sense of

spiritual purpose (Aycock, 2011). According to the study of Daye (2012), two out of

every five pastors (40%) say their child, age 15 or older, went through a period where

they significantly doubted their faith. One–fifth of pastors say this is “very” accurate of

their children and another 22% say it is “somewhat” true. This is about the same rate as

today’s Millennials, about 38% of those with a Christian background say they have

experienced a similar season of doubt. In other words, pastors’ kids are pretty normal—

about as likely as other kids raised in the Church to experience significant spiritual

doubts .

Children of Religious Leaders in the Bible. The Christian Bible has

circumstances where children of ministers betrayed the faith of their parents and became

rebellious. The book of 1 Samuel 2:12-36 talks of an Israelite priest Eli despite his

devotion to serving in the temple, he had scoundrel sons Hophni and Phineas. The sons

abused the temple and raped women at the entrance of the temple till God killed them.

Eli ended up losing his priestly duties and died as well. Genesis 19:30-38 talks of

daughters of a man of God, Lot who lived in Sodom and Gomorrah and his daughters

slept with him. “That night they got their father to drink wine, and the older daughter

13
went in and slept with him. He was not aware of it when she lay down or when she got

up.

Influence of Media. The media also has a large influence in giving the society

negative lenses to view the pastors’ kids. Film producers draft a film with a naughty,

reckless, proud, arrogant, resistant and disrespectful pastor’s kid in mind. Bollywood

movies like “The Pastor’s daughter” and “The Pastor’s son” shows that the common

biblical quote which says “Can anything good come of Bethlehem” has somehow been

twisted to say Can anything good come out of a man of God’s house? “The Pastor’s

daughter” is a Nigerian movie that has a teenage girl character Immaculate who is a

prostitute, money lover, brutal, heartless, loose and disrespectful young girl. She is

determined to bring down her father’s reputation. Immaculate left the church tongue-tied

when she came to church late wearing an orange dress too high showcasing her light

thighs, twisting her curvy body during the time her father was on the pulpit preaching

about righteousness. The Pastor’s son which is also a Nigerian movie presents a nuisance

pastor’s son who bunked church partying with girlfriends. On many occasions Pastor

Okafor his father regretted the death of his wife as his son went out of control

(Chikiwa,2018).

Challenges of PK’s

PK’s oftentimes face challenges. First, both of their parents are busy working and

serving the congregation, they also experience frequent relocation due to assignment

changes of their father. Another challenge is they lack professional care in counseling

because of the stereotype that they can handle things in life because they are PK’s.

14
Further, it is a challenge for PK’s on how they live in the eyes of the public meeting their

expectations.

Working Parents. In order for the family to have financial resources needed to

sustain the needs of the family especially the well-being of the children, parents must

work. More than 50 million Americans are juggling jobs and child-rearing—and finding

that hard to do. In fact, according to a 2015 study by Pew Research Center, 65% of

working parents with college degrees—who have better career and earning prospects

than less-educated parents reported that it was “somewhat difficult” or “very difficult” to

meet the simultaneous demands of work and family. And the issue isn’t limited to the

United States; statistics are equally striking in other countries. The problem is real and

pervasive, and for children coping with it day to day, it can seem overwhelming.

Working parenthood requires you to handle an endless stream of to-do’s and problems

wherein you are left with very little time in raising the kids which is very applicable in

PK’s, with parents who are busy working and serving the church (Dowling, 2019).

Dual-earners. The dual-earner family has become the norm, particularly of

parental absence, for children’s well-being has become a major part of the policy debate.

A report from the Institute of Public Policy Research (Margo et.al, 2006) on British

children argued strongly that their lack of well-being was due in large part to the relative

absence of adults from their lives. In the dual-earner family, children have become the

new ‘homestayers’ and that their degree of independence, together with their

responsibilities, has increased. (Lewis et al., 2008) in their study shows the diversity and

complexity of experience regarding time with and without parents in the lives of young

people. It provides support for the view that some time spent without adult supervision is

15
not seen as a problem by adolescents but that there are nevertheless issues arising from

parents’ employment that are problematic for some children. Children need love, and

unless their fathers express that love on a Regular basis, the children will be deprived of a

vital ingredient for their personal development. This is very common to families with a

Pastor especially in the Seventh-day Adventist Denomination wherein the Pastor’s wives

must support their husband on their task and responsibilities. Sometimes, they will go

with them whenever they have appointments, leaving their children in the house with or

without supervision (SDA GC, 2021).

Lack of Professional Care. Although some denominations or churches do

provide counseling or similar services for their pastors, it seems to be more often the case

that the pastor or pastor’s family is overlooked when it comes to helping them work

through major issues in their lives (e.g., identity development). “Although a majority of

denominations are providing some form of referral service for counseling and therapy,

only 43% are providing some form of actual counseling and therapy services for their

clergy and/or families” (Strange & Sheppard, 2001). Morris and Blanton (1994)

specifically noted that very few denominations assist clergy children in making

adjustments (social, emotional, etc.) as a result of relocation, already shown to have a key

impact on identity. While this type of professional help could be a great support to both

pastors and their families, perhaps especially to the pastors’ children as they are figuring

out who they are, it sadly is not a salient resource for them. By being given the

opportunity to talk about the child’s functioning in the home situation, and the pressures

this puts on family life, they come to an understanding of and are better able to cope with

these adjustments. Through conversations with other parents and professionals working

16
in the field of language and communication development, parents can develop realistic

expectations of the child and begin to recognize the child’s strengths rather than

becoming unduly focused on his/her weaknesses (Peck, 2010).

Frequent Relocation. “An experience common to PK’s that gives them a

challenge in how they live is frequent moving”. While some pastors and their families

stay in one area with the same congregation for many years, many pastors are prone to

relocating much more often. This aspect of PKs’ lives has a strong impact on their peer

groups and where they look for affirmation of identity (Pond, 2000). This is especially,

though not exclusively, the case during adolescence when friendships shape a very

significant part of a person’s life. During this crucial time of growing and developing into

their own person, adolescents find emotional support in their close relationships, both

family and friends. As Baril, Julien, Chartrand, and Dubé (2009) suggested, “friendships

heighten individual well-being. By providing support, friendship facilitates adaptation to

difficult life events and chronic stress”. With this in mind, if an adolescent PK relocates

frequently, it can become “impossible to establish a stable peer network that can be relied

on to support the PKs’ identity-building explorations”. This can easily be compared to

the experiences of “military brats” and missionary kids, whose families tend to move

quite often. The PK’s close friends, however, will often be connected to the church,

which could further jeopardize their social network if the pastor’s family and the

congregation did not part well. Strange and Sheppard (2001) added, “The PK may begin

to feel isolated as a result of not having a reliable, confidential social network”.

17
 Public View. There are two commonly-used terms to describe the kind of

existence that many pastors’ families feel that they live, which are “living in a glass

house” and “the fishbowl syndrome,” which essentially mean the same thing (Lee, 1992).

These descriptions refer to a feeling of constantly being watched—both observed and

judged—by their congregations. Similar to the reality of people wanting to know

everything about the daily lives of celebrities (e.g., movie stars or politicians), church

members often seem to have a curiosity about the doings of their pastor’s family, to find

out more about their lives than people would about any other family in the congregation.

At times this is perceived as mere idle curiosity, while at others it comes across as an

unwarranted intrusion of privacy (Sheppard, 2001).

Expectations from the congregation and society. A universal challenge that

pastors’ kids experience is that of trying to live up to the expectations placed upon them

by the congregation and society at large. According to McCown and Sharma (1992), “a

pastor’s child is expected to be a ‘perfect child’. They also asserted that: The social

expectations upon pastors and their families may reflect higher standards than those for

other individuals. This conflict between religious expectations and prevailing social

norms may be imposed by the religious community as well as by family members’

internalized expectations of themselves. Children within pastoral families are not

immune to such pressures.

Expectations from Parents. Sometimes the parents also contribute to the moral

and behavioral expectations set upon the child, adding to the unfair pressures they feel.

Sometimes this is due to ignorance in how such expectations affect the child and other

18
times it comes from the parents’ fear of who might be watching. Not unlike their

children, clergy parents are not inherently perfect simply as a result of their ministerial

profession. Some pastors do, however, try very hard to maintain “the public image of

saintliness” being a perfect parent or a perfect pastor through their children (Lee, 1992).

Parents wishing to keep this external view may become highly secretive about internal

family conflicts or problems, refusing to let the outside world see that they were not

perfect. However, even when the parents do make a strong effort to shield their children

from congregational or societal expectations, as well as their own, the expectations are

still present and perceived. Children can still see and understand the higher standards to

which they are being held, but they are not so much of a burden for children whose

parents intentionally make time for them and meaningfully involve them in their lives.

One of the most difficult aspects of the expectations that people have of PKs is the child

having to ensure that he or she is never the cause of the parent(s) being criticized or fired.

This pressure is based on the idea that the pastor’s ministry and sustainability in that

ministry depend on the child’s behavior (Aycock, 2011).

The PK’s Unheard Voice. It should be identified that PK’s are raised as Christian’s

Kids not the typical Pastor’s Kids itself. It is possible to be a good preacher’s kid and not

be a Christian at all. There are many who learn to jump through religious hoops and spout

off religiously correct statements. PK’s should obey, not because their parents are church

leaders, but because they are Christians. PK’s should live right because of their

relationship with God, not because they happen to be related to a pastor. PK’s should be

wholehearted followers of Jesus, not good preacher’s kids. (Murrell, 2019). One thing

that needs to be understood is that PKs aren’t born Christians. We are born into Christian

19
culture, but any believer knows that Christian culture is just as messed up as non-

Christian culture. Cottle (2014) saw this a lot among Pastors’ families. The parents are

terrified of their children going bad, so they lock the doors and bolt the shutters. If

nothing bad can get in, then their children will be good. Sheltering does one of two

things. It will either keep kids so insulated from the world that they won’t be able to

function as competent adults, or it will drive kids right into the open arms of worldliness

Church culture .

Coping of PK’s

As discussed, PK’s have problems in their development due to the lack of time

their parents have for them. Some Bible expositors and family counselors are quick to

state that if you train a child properly, that child will not depart from good teachings.

They emphasized the importance of the home in compensating for the pressures on

pastors' children. However, there are some cases where the parents have provided a stable

home and loved their children, yet the children did rebel against the church. Sometimes,

even when parents do the best they can, a child will still make wrong choices because he

is a human being with a free will. The choices they made depends on how they cope in

their current situation. Some of them leaves the Church, others experience role confusion

and it often leads them to indulge in alcholism and substance abuse because of peer

pressure.

When PK’s Leave The Church. Due to constant pressure, expectations and

stereotypes from people, without a proper guidance PK’s might not be able to properly

20
cope with these situations and their path will wander to the wrong way; which is the

choice of living the Church. According to (Berry, 2014), these are the reasons why PK’s

leave the church: First, what is preached to the masses is not modeled at home. Pastors

are human beings. They are sinners just like us and they also commit mistakes.

Sometimes, what is preached in the church is not applied at home and children are very

observant especially Pk’s because of the expectations on them, they tend to observe the

actions done from parents and they became disappointed when their father did not live

on what they preach.Another one is, their father is promising one thing to the family,

but then doing another. They are making sure that they are always on time for a

counseling appointment with a couple, but failing to show up on time for their son’s

basketball game. They did not keep promises.

Role Confusion. As PK’s live on stereotypes the church building became a place

of restriction, not freedom. Obviously there are boundaries. Pastors expect their children

to take good care of the church. They are not to create messes and leave them for

someone else to clean up. They are always to show respect to everyone and that restricts

their freedom of choice. This affects them on how they look and identify themselves and

how the people should identify them, living them in a state of Identity confusion. The

fifth stage of Erikson’s (1980) eight stages of identity development, called “identity

versus identity confusion”, emphasized that “adolescents begin to develop their core

sense of self, values, beliefs, and goals. They may struggle with role confusion as they

delineate between how others see them versus how they view themselves. The

confusion of role often accompanied with peer pressure influences PK’s to indulge

21
substance abuse like alcoholism in order for them to seek happiness in life which was

(Evans et al., 2010).

Serving the Church. Not all PK’s chose the wayward path. Some, by the grace

of God followed the path of their parents and began serving the Church. In Stoffel’s

study Pastor’s Kids are the Worst (2004), he referenced that unique blessings can also

come along with being a PK. Pastors’ kids who show unusual gifts and spiritual

sensitivity may be placed on the fast track to ministry leadership. PKs grow up learning

the mechanics of ministry and may develop substantial ministry gifts as they grow up in

church and serve alongside their parents. The ministry parents and their church world

network may, in turn, open doors for developing PKs to exercise ministry leadership.

Since PKs often spend large amounts of time in the church building, they are frequently

granted access to the church facilities, equipment, and ministries, and may develop

significant ministry-related skills from a young age (Campbell, 1995).

Study Framework

-stellar expectations
-untainted name
22
-restricted life
-center of attraction
-being a nomad
-feeling alone
 Challenges of PK’s

Lived
Experiences of
PK’s
Joys of PK’s Coping of PK’s

- spurned footprints
- treasured time - clinching own’s
-recieving blessings from identity
heaven
-embracing benefits

Operational Definition of Terms

1. SDA- This means Seventh Day Adventist wherein it is a Protestant Christian

23
2. Denomination- A religious group that has a unique belief and has its own

standards, organization, principles and by-laws.

3. Denominational Workers- Umbrella term for Pastors and workers of the

denomination.

4. PK- This means Pastor’s kids and is is a term refer to a child of a Pastor.

24
 CHAPTER III

METHODOLOGY

The baseline data of this study will be collected using the qualitative research

approach, specifically the phenomenological-transcedental research design.

Qualitative Research

Qualitative research was formally established somewhere around the 1920s and

1930s, but has been growing steadily since the 1960s (Holloway, 2002), when there

was evidence of this type of inquiry in the literature (Patton, 2002). Invariably,

definitions or explanations of what qualitative research is or does are still emerging

due to the complexities possibly involved in human nature itself. Nonetheless, Denzin

and Lincoln (2005) suggest that it is a “field of inquiry in its own right” which

“produces findings not arrived at by means of statistical procedures or other means of

qualification” (Strauss, 1990). In addition, Creswell (2007) posits that this inquiry

process is “based on distinct methodological traditions of inquiry that explore a social

or human problem. The researcher builds a complex, holistic picture, analyzes words,

reports detailed views of informants, and conducts the study in a natural setting”.

Overall, Merriam (2009) submits that “qualitative researchers are interested in

understanding the meaning people have constructed, that is, how people make sense of

their world and the experiences they have in the world” , and to interpret these

experiences faithfully (Walker, 2007). These definitions and explanations about what

qualitative research is, provides a reflection of our overall goal of this study, which

was to explore the living experiences of PK’s.

25
 Further, Patton (2002) proposes a few unique elements of the qualitative

research process including naturalistic inquiry or participant observation, emergent or

flexible design (Creswell, 2007), the use of purposive sampling, personal experiences

and engagement (Jaye, 2002). Overall, the proponents of qualitative research highlight

what may be its greatest feature, that is, the unique relationship between the researcher

and the participants in the process itself (Given, 2008) since qualitative research is

more interested in the process rather than in the outcome (Ploeg, 1999). The literature

indicates that this approach is used (a) when “a problem or issue needs to be explored”

(Creswell, 2013); (b) when little is known about a topic (Patten, 2007); and (c) “when

we want to empower individuals, share their stories, and hear their voices” (Creswell,

2013). Accordingly, the qualitative research approach was the preferred method for

this study since the nature of the qualitative inquiry is better suited in uncovering the

living experiences of Pastor’s Kids. Also, there were no published studies on the Lived

experiences of Pastor’s Kids in the SDA Denomination.

Phenomenological Research

“Phenomenology is a study of people’s conscious experience of their life-

world, that is, their every day life and social action” (Schram, 2003). It is seen by some

as both a philosophy (Larkin, 2006) and a method (Creswell, 2003), and viewed by

others as a theoretical perspective, specifically interested in the subjective realities of

the participants. Merriam (2009) indicates that phenomenology focuses on “the

experience itself and how experiencing something is transformed into consciousness”.

Also, Holloway and Wheeler (2002) contend that the qualitative research approach is

rooted in the 19th century philosophy, particularly in the work of Dilthey, Husserl, and

Heidegger who focused on the ontological questions pertaining to meaning and lived

26
experiences. Notably, these questions mirror very similar concerns of the

phenomenological approach to research, in addition to the ontological aspects, which

are heavily rooted in philosophy.

Transcendental Phenomenology

According to Moustakas (1994), transcendental phenomenology is less

concerned with the interpretation of text in the research process. Rather, it focuses

more on describing the experiences of the participants. Accordingly, the researchers,

when examining the phenomenon in question embarks upon the epoche or bracketing

process, in which the researchers puts aside his or her experiences as far as possible, to

derive a “fresh perspective” (Creswell, 2007). The fundamental nature then of the

transcendental approach is to derive meaning from the essence of human experience

without the personal interpretation of the researcher.

Philosophical Underpinnings of Phenomenology

Research is theoretically constituted of ontology, epistemology, and axiology.

Bracken (2010) states, that the researcher’s ontology, epistemology, and axiology must

be in sync with the methodology of data gathering and interpretation. Therefore, the

ontological, epistemological, and axiological perspective of a phenomenological study

must be clearly understood.

Ontological Perspective. The philosophy of ontology simply means, the nature

of being and its reality. Therefore, ontology of phenomenological research deals with

how the conscious mind of an individual interprets the nature a being and what is real.

Sire (1988) coins, that the nature of reality lies in the worldview situated in oneself.

However, Moran (2011) pens that an individual’s experience is unique to oneself. To

27
address this, Moustakas (1994) suggested that phenomenological researchers must use

Husserl’s concept of epoche. Epoche makes sure that presuppositions do not objectify

the essence of the participants’ lifeworld, which is conscious of the individual

experiencing the phenomenon.

Epistemological Perspective. Epistemology is the nature of the relationship

between the posture of the knower and the inquirer (Guba & Lincoln, 1994).

Moreover, epistemology includes the contribution of the truth of what is known

(Creswell, 2013). Furthermore, according to Clarke and Braun (2013), epistemology

accounts for true knowledge. The researchers are all SDA’s. Thus, this will aid us in

the application of phenomenological approach in this study because we already had the

experience and background that will enhance our understanding on the views of the

participants. Moustakas (1994) noted that true reality can be studied through an

exploration of the experience from the perspective of the participant’s intuition. What

is to be known is dependent on the person experiencing it.

Axiological Perspective. The axiological perspective deals with the judgment

of values (Creswell, 2013). Furthermore, axiology sets the rigor and the tone of a

study. According to Knight (2006), “Value systems are not universally agreed upon,

and different positions on the questions of metaphysics and epistemology determine

different systems of value because axiological systems are built upon conceptions of

reality and truth”. The challenge in claiming the value of phenomenological research is

that the inquirer of the text may show a different understanding of the text based on the

inquirer’s prior assumptions, knowledge, and experiences. Thus, in this research,

transcendental analysis, which uses epoche that brackets the inquirer’s pre-judgmental

values, was used to put importance to the participant’s personal reflection (Moustakas,

1994). Harman (2011) quotes, “Only by bracketing our perceptions do we stay

28
rigorously focused on the difference between how things appear to us and what we

tacitly assume about them”. Therefore, using the transcendental-phenomenological

data analysis, truth of participants reality’s experience may be explored. Moreover,

bracketing the data will help bring true essence.

Research Setting

The study will be conducted in Mountain View College; one of SDA’s

educational institution which is under the Central Mindanao Mission, headed by the

South Phillipine Union Conference which is part of the Southern-Asia Pacific Division

(SDA GC, 2021). According to Tanamal (2003), Mountain View College which was

established in 1949 is a private, co-educational, Seventh-day Adventist College which

is located in the heart of Mindanao in Southern Philippines. Sprawled on the heights of

Barangay Mt. Nebo in the City of Valencia, Bukidnon Province, the college lies 16

kilometers away from the main highway. It was the second Adventist College to be

established in the Philippines and the first in Mindanao (Rogers, 2003). As of 2015, it

had a total semestral enrollment of 1,716 (MVC Registrar, 2015). Trim (2017) stated

that these students are primarily from Mindanao, although there are quite a number

from Luzon and the Visayas. International enrollment from Asia, Africa, Europe, and

North America comprises about five percent of the total student population and that

most of the students enrolled were Seventh-day Adventist Christians; typically children

of Denominational workers which includes Pastors. All SDA church employees’

children had privileges to afford such education because of education assistance

granted to them by the denomination in order to enlarge the reservoir of future church

employees and lay church leaders (SDA GC, 2021). Hence, making Mountain View

College an ideal research setting for this study.

29
 Participants and Sampling Procedures

Purposive Sampling. In this study, purposive sampling techniques were used

to recruit participants. A criterion was set in order to select persons who would form

the sample of the study. The participant must be (a) a son/daughter of a Pastor (b)

particularly working in SDA denomination in Mindanao and (c) the participant is

currently studying as a college student.

Research Tools

In qualitative research, data generally refer to words (spoken or written) or various

types of visual images, including stills, videos, graphics; and “form of narrative (text)

scripts, commonly gathered from interviews, survey questions, journals, recorded

observations, or existing documents, among other sources” (Suter, 2012). This varied

and flexible approach to data collection, however, requires a few steps such as “setting

the boundaries for the study, collecting information through unstructured or semi-

structured observations and interviews, documents and visual materials, as well as

establishing the protocol for recording information” (Creswell, 2014). In addition,

qualitative researchers usually ensure triangulation of data during the data collection

process.

Interviews. Some authors suggest that interviews are most common for data

collection in the phenomenological approach. Moustakas (1994) stresses that it is

typical in the phenomenological investigation to conduct long interviews. Thus,

conducting long in-depth interviews was the main method for data collection used in

this study.

Face-to-Face Interviews. Opdenakker (2006) submits that face-to-face

interviews are synchronous communication, which takes place in time and place. This

30
approach poses many advantages over other interview methods because of social cues.

The Covid-19 Pandemic is still present at this time, thus, proper social distancing and

health protocols such as wearing mask must be followed by both the researchers and

the participants (MVC FB Page,2021). For this to become realistic, these steps were

done by the researchers: a). Prior to the interview, the participants were given a soft

copy of the informed consent sent via messenger. The participants were also informed

to wear face mask prior to the interview. b). Upon entering the interview room, their

temperature were checked and if fever is noted, they will be isolated immediately for

observation. The Schools policy and protocol will be observed. c). If their

temperature is normal and presents no symptoms of flu, their hands will be sanitized

with rubbing alcohol or hand sanitizer. The hands of the researchers were sanitized too.

d). During the interview, proper social distancing were observed, approximately 2

meters away from each other, a table with screen shield was used to ensure protection.

Shaking hands is strongly discouraged. e). After the interview, the table used are

sanitized and cleanliness was ensured. All the rights of the participants should be

reserved and they are informed that they had the freedom to not attend or back-out in

the interview.

Analytical Notes. According to Crabtree and Miller (1999), “field notes

represent an attempt to provide a literal account of what happened in the field setting—

the social processes and their contexts”. Notably, analytical notes are also referred to in

the literature as reflective notes, memos, journals or just as notes. We included

analytical notes as a method of data collection since they are used to record

observations of the behavior and activities of the participants (Creswell, 2003) during

interactions. These analytical notes included the participants’ answers on the face-to-

face conversations. The notes also reflected our personal thoughts such as speculation,

31
feelings, problems, ideas, hunches, impressions, and prejudices on the participants.

However, Crabtree and Miller (1999) contend that analytical notes cannot be trusted to

memory. That is why we included video/audio recording on the data collection. After

the interviews, we look back on the video and audio recordings to identify things that

we missed and developed these notes into a full script that is essential for data analysis.

Demographic Profile Survey Form. The demographic profile survey will be

developed to collect personal and professional information about the participants.

Specifically, information will be collected about the participants’ course, age, and

course taken. The information collected will be crosschecked with the participant’s

records in the Registrar’s office..

Data Collection Procedures

As soon as the study proposal will be approved by the research panel of MVC

School of Nursing, the researchers will submit to the office of the president of MVC

the endorsement letter from the adviser noted by the Dean of the School of nursing to

conduct the study. The researchers will secure an approval letter from the College

President to conduct this study.

The researchers will secure a copy or lists of Pastors’ Kids studying in

Mountain View College. The researchers will start the recruitment of the participants

for the study. The selected participants will be informed and will be asked for their

permission and approval for the study.

When participants agree, they will be interviewed by the researchers and if they

will not agree they will be replaced by those who are willing from the researchers lists.

The researchers will also ask permission if the participants will allow audio

recording of the interview. After securing consents, face to face interview will be

32
conducted using the researchers’ interview guide while abiding the rules of Covid-19

policies (social distancing, wearing of face masks, and face shields will be considered).

If all data are gathered during face to face interview will be recorded and will last until

the point of saturation has been achieved. At the end of the first interview the

researchers will remind the participants about the need for the second interview to

verify the findings of the study. The verbatim interview will be transcribed and

translated to English, if necessary. The guide question for the interview covers the

Lived experiences of the participants.

Data Analysis

Analysis involves working with data, organizing it, breaking it into manageable

units, synthesizing it, searching for patterns, discovering what is important and what is

to be learned and deciding what you will tell others. Bogdan and Biklen (1982) offer a

detailed description of the data analysis method in qualitative research, which includes

systematically searching and organizing the interview transcripts, field notes, and other

materials you collect in order to improve your own understanding and present what

you've learned to others.

As such, the purpose of data analysis in qualitative research is to (a) “organize,

provide structure to, and elicit meaning from research data” (Polit & Beck, 2008,); (b)

move “from raw interviews to evidence-based interpretations” (Rubin & Rubin,); (c)

uncover the themes, patterns, concepts, insights, and understandings (Creswell, 2003);

and (d) develop themes by making textural descriptions that focus on what the

participants experienced in addition to structural descriptions that focus on the how of

the experience, and then combining the two to communicate the same essence of the

participants’ experiences. All interviews were audio and video recorded and

33
transcribed verbatim and treated as raw data to uncover the lived experiences of PK’s

of the SDA Denomination. The data was analyzed using the transcendental

phenomenological data analysis by Moustakas (1994). The phenomenological data

analysis in this study is composed of several steps: horizontalization, clusters of

meaning, textural descriptions, and structural descriptions.

Horizontalization. Horizontalization is a vital step in this paper’s analysis

because Creswell (2013) notes that in horizontalization, the researcher highlights

statements relevant to the participants’ experience. After transcribing the data using

Microsoft Word, the researchers read the transcriptions a lot of times and highlighted

the significant and meaningful statements that relate to the study and organized them in

per participant. The researchers started with 151 significant verbatim. After thorough

reflections, the statements that were redundant were eliminated. As a result, 85

verbatim were included and highlighted in order to proceed to the next step, clusters of

meaning.

Clusters of Meaning. After the removing the words and statements that are

insignificant, answers or data that are related to each other were clustered. As

described by Moustakas (1994), epoche or clustering was applied. Each cluster of

constituents were labeled as one and conceptualized into core themes. The researchers

checked each theme and its corresponding invariant constituents side by side with the

original participant manuscripts to ensure that the themes are compatible with the

participants’ experience as presented by their verbatim.

Textural Descriptions. The validated and final clusters of meaning were

linked into individual textural descriptions. These descriptions include verbatim from

the transcribed interviews. Moustakas (1994) emphasizes that these themes would be

34
intellectualized in phenomenological research using reflection, which highlights the

“thematic portrayals of the experience” of the participants. Every perception is equal

in the textural description. In this study, complex reasoning was done during the

analysis of data. Creswell and Poth (2018) stated that qualitative research may use both

inductive and deductive reasoning during the research process. Thus, after building the

themes in clusters of meaning, which is done by inductive reasoning, deductive

reasoning took place by choosing specific textural descriptions that support the pre-

conceptualized themes. The researchers did back and forth work from verbatim to

theme and theme to transcribed data to make comprehensive data that expounds the

what of the experience.

Structural Descriptions. The structural description answers the “how”, which

is the context of the experience. Moustakas (1994) further iterates that imaginative

variation must be practiced by guiding and letting the participants reflect and recollect

the experience. Thus, the researchers made sure that the questions constructed,

including the follow-up questions, assisted in allowing the participants to look back on

the context of their experience which were implemented and described in the structural

descriptions. The method of structural description aids the researchers to show how

the experience transformed the participants.

Rigors of the Study

There are four important standards that were practiced in this research to bring

trustworthiness to the study such as credibility, transferability, dependability, and

confirmability.

Credibility. According to Merriam-Webster, credibility is the quality of a

study which compromises facts which has a strong background of information.

35
Credibility in this study was portrayed through triangulation, peer debriefing, and

member checking thus these actions can have credibility to the study.

Triangulation. Triangulation is another word for combining multiple methods

which helps ensure the validity in a qualitative research study. Moreover, trangulation

reduce bias, which cross examines the integrity of the data. According to Lincoln and

Guba (1985), pen that “Triangulation is practiced by assessing comparison of the

evidence-based acquired.” The researchers paralleled the data in the interview to the

observation notes and analytical memos taken during data collection process in order

to strengthen credibility.

Peer Debriefing. A qualified peer researcher reviewed and analyzed

transcripts, emerging and final categories from those transcripts, and the study’s final

themes or results through peer debriefing. The each of the researchers reviewed some

of the researcher’s site documents, analytical notes, and possibly other written work.

In addition, each researcher will serve as a kind of critical investigator. Peer debriefing

has been proposed by several authors as a way to improve the trustworthiness and

credibility of a research project (Janesick, 2015).

Member Checking. Member checking was done by sending back the synthesis

of the textural-structural description of the experiences to the participants. In addition,

before it was finalized, the participants discussed the textural-structural definition. In

addition, the participants were asked to sift through the essence of their personal world.

The participants were asked to consider whether the study's findings reflected their

actual experiences. Corrections and revisions were made in response to participant

input. According to Creswell and Poth (2018), member checking will ensure the

validity of the participants' actual experiences. As a result, the researcher’s ensured

36
that the written content was accurate and that the participants had firsthand experience

with it.

Transferability. Transferability is established by providing readers with

evidence that the research study’s findings could be applicable to other contexts,

situations, times, and populations. In addition, it is a synonymous with generalizability

and external validity in a quantitative research. Data from a phenomenological

analysis, according to Moustakas (1994), would reveal a universal mutual sense that is

shared by all who witnessed the same phenomenon. Purposive sampling was used in

this study because the nature of the experience is shared by participants who are

experiencing the same thing. Moreover, Lincoln and Guba (1985) also urge naturalistic

researchers to use purposive sampling in their experiments to ensure that the findings

are transferable to those who are experiencing the same phenomenon.

Dependability. Dependability was practiced in this study by having an audit

trail, dependability audit and peer examination.

Audit Trial. According to Lincoln and Guba (1985), data must be well supported,

which can be accomplished by an audit trail. An audit trail demonstrates how the

testing was carried out. The audit trail will also help readers and the researcher retrace

the steps taken by the researcher to arrive at the conclusions (Creswell & Poth, 2018).

Dependability Audit. A specialist researcher who is an expert in

phenomenological studies provided input on the research study's method. She also

double-checked that all specifics of the procedures were accurate.

Confirmability. in order to attest confirmability in this research review, an audit trial

was created and practiced triangulation, as mentioned earlier in this paper. The data's

confirmability asserts that the results are supported by the data. Confirmability gives

37
evidence that is not invented by the researcher but is based on information provided by

the participant.

Ethical Issues

In this study, the researchers ensured that all the participants were given written

consent and presented the letter of approval from the school president. The researchers

assured the participants that their identity will remain anonymous that is why in

Chapter 4, the participants identity were presented with pseudonyms. Also,

confidentiality was strongly observed. Th researchers made sure that they are the only

ones who knows the true identity of the particpants and that the experiences they

shared from the interviews will not be leaked to others outside this study. Rest assured

all rights are reserved in this study.

38
 CHAPTER 4

TRANCENDENTAL ANALYSIS

This chapter discusses the analysis of the gathered data, which was guided by

Moustakas(1994). During the process of Horizontalization, which is the first step of

transcendental phenomenological analysis proposed by Moustakas (1994), 733

significant verbatim were found. The next step was the clusters of meaning. The

statements that were repeated and overlapped were removed after thorough reflections.

After clustering and profound reflections, 151 statements were chosen to be analyzed.

17 themes were established. All of these themes were analyzed and 85 verbatim were

included in the textural and structural descriptions. Further, the researchers still kept

the first horizontalization so that if the verbatims are needed to support the structural

descriptions of the paper, those verbatims will still be retrieved. Observation and

analytical memos were also analyzed to support the verbatims. After thorough analysis

using Moustakas’ transcendental phenomenological analysis method, the transcripts

were able to describe the joys of PK’s, the difficulties of PK’s and the coping of PK’s

39
 The Joy of Being a Pastor’s Kid

This section describes the lived experiences of PK’s particularly their joys. These were

presented by themes which are: treasured time, recieving blessings from heaven, and

embracing benefits.

Treasured Time

Spending time with friends and families can have a major impact health and

well-being. It increases a persons sense of belonging and purpose, boost happiness,

reduce stress, and improve a persons self-confidence and self-worth (Pruthi,2011).Two

of the themes that shows treasured time are having family time and being with friends.

Having Family Time

“The things that make me happy right now is being with my family.”(P3T1L2).

Ruth emphasized one of the things that makes her happy is to be with her family. She

stated that; “Whenever there are schedules, school works, academic problems or

sometimes when I am depressed, stressed and I have the chance to call my family all

my problems would be gone, I would be happy and I can forget my problems”.

Walters (2012) added that spending good time with family will help strengthen

relationships with one another. Pastors’ kids are valuing time with family because

often their father is not around due to busy schedules and transfer of districts.

Adventists believe that trust must be maintained in human relationships.

According to the Adventist tradition, it is God’s ideal for children to have the benefits

of a stable family with active participation of both mother and father. A research study

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conducted by Peck (2010) found that the majority of their patients with serious mental

illnesses reported that their families were their primary source of strength. By being

given the opportunity to talk about the child’s functioning in the home situation, and

the pressures this puts on family life, they come to an understanding of and are better

able to cope with these adjustments. Through conversations with other parents and

professionals working in the field of language and communication development,

parents can develop realistic expectations of the child and begin to recognize the

child’s strengths rather than becoming unduly focused on his/her weaknesses .

Being with Friends

“I’m easily happy with the simple things like being with my friends”(P5T1L2-3).

Rachel here emphasized the importance of friendship in her life. She describes

that she is contented in life, that if she is with her friends, she is already happy with

that. It was observed that her facial expression is happy and that she smiles all the

time(P5AM1L1-2). Baril (2009) added that friendships can have a major impact on

health and well-being. Spending time with friends is one of the few pleasures in life

that can cost you very little, but reward you substantially. It is also proven to be one of

the best ways to combat stress. Spending time with your friends can help melt away the

cares of the world and leave you a better person all around. the case during

adolescence when friendships shape a very significant part of a person’s life. During

this crucial time of growing and developing into their own person, adolescents find

emotional support in their close relationships, both family and friends.

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Receiving Blessings from Heaven

“If we don’t have food anymore there is a sudden blessing that will come. Someone

will give us food that’s why we don’t run out of food in our house”(P4T1L21-22).

Matthew shared his wonderful experience. He stated that he together with his

family experienced miracles wherein even though they have no food left, they received

unexpectedly, free food from other people. He even mentioned; “In Gensan, our car

got damaged and all we had is a motorcycle and then our family friend bought a new

car and they offered their old car to us and told us we can pay it later.” (P4T1L22-25).

Life's blessings are unexpected blessings. They are a method for God to remind

us that if He calls us to do His work, He will always provide a way for us to do it.

Being a child of a pastor is a blessing. It brings benefits not only to the child but the

family as a whole. There were all kinds of advantages in being a PK. Though there are

some pitfalls, there are many, many blessings. They are privileged to see miracles

happen before their very eyes (Rankin, 2021).

Embracing Benefits

“If you’re a child of a pastor or a mission worker there are benefits for example health

aids, supplies, subsidy in school.”(P3T1L33-34).

Ruth in this scene shared to us the benefits and privileges of being a PK. First,

she mentioned that whenever there are someone who is sick in the family, when they

go to the hospital or buy medications, they got less expense because they have the aid

from their conference. Another benefit that she mentioned is her aid in the school

wherein if she studies in an Adventist Institution, she will also receive aid so that they

will pay less on the tuition and other expenses. She also stated; “I am very happy and

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thankful on this educational aid it is because unlike other kids they have to strive to go

to school”.(P3T1L35).

All SDA church employees’ children had privileges to afford such education

because of education assistance granted to them by the denomination in order to

enlarge the reservoir of future church employees and lay church leaders (SDA GC,

2021). They are privileged to see miracles happen before their very eyes. They get to

take part in praying for the congregation and watch the Lord answer those prayers.

They invest their little hearts into some of those prayer requests and even initiate the

prayers often times. They get to tag along with their dad to ministry events and watch

him firsthand ministering and teaching people about Jesus (Idleman, 2019).

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 The Challenges of Being a Pastor’s Kid

These section describes the lived experiences of PK’s particularly the challenges that

they face. These were presented by themes which are: stellar expectations, untainted

name ,restricted life, center of attraction, being a nomad, feeling alone, and taken for

granted.

Stellar Expectations

“In the schools the expectations of you is that your grades should be high, you will not

be expected to be in the guidance councilor and in the principal”(P4T1L33-35).

Matthew shared his experience on how he is pressured as a PK in his academic

life wherein he is expected to perform better compared to his non-PK classmates it is

because Matthew thinks he is considered as the cream of the crop. Matthew even

shared that he was expected to be an example in character and should not have

offenses and should have zero record in the guidance and principal’s office. Matthew

describes the pressure as too much for him, it restricts him on his actions.

According to Aycock (2011), PKs are compared to other kids as academically

superior, highly motivated, possess firm moral values, and demonstrate a commitment

to serve mankind. Sometimes this stereotype includes the assumption that the pastor’s

child is super-spiritual or knows as much about the Bible or theology as does the

pastor. As if he or she automatically absorbs this knowledge simply by living with a

Bible scholar.

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“Actually, I am not admitting that I am a child of a pastor that’s why many people

didn’t know about it”(P8T1L24).

In this scenario, Maria is emphasizing that she is not admitting to the public

that she is a PK and that she does not accepts her identity as a PK. Maria cannot bear

the pressures and comparisons of her to others and that she wants peace in her life. She

does not want to be compared. Maria recalled that many people did not know that she

is a PK and that the chosen few wherein she trusts where even shocked that she is a

PK.

Daye (2012) in his study emphasized that PK’s might be compared to previous pastor’s

kids. They might be compared to someone’s own children. Or the expectations might

simply be what someone thinks is appropriate behavior for a pastor’s kid. Regardless

of what the expectations are, they are generally based on comparison. And this is

dangerous. And unfair. Pastor’s kids will learn how to live up to expectations and

comparisons when those opinions are shared freely. But it won’t be for the right

reasons. They will slip into being the good girl or good boy, just to please others.

Eventually, they will resent this role that has been forced upon them.

The participants of this study shared that people expect them to always be prepared.

They are expected to have the talent to lead out, participate, and render a part in

church.

One participant shared,

“They would give me parts even if I am not prepared”(P1T2L2-3)

In this scenario, Martha shares that as a PK, it is expected that you will be

given parts in the programs of the church. Even on some situations Martha explained

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that she is not prepared or cannot do the task right away; but because she is a PK, she

must accept the responsibility it is because the congregation thinks highly on her.

Furthermore, Aycock (2011) also supports that many of the PK’s, who ranged

from ages 12-23, were selected in their respective church regions for standing out in

leadership and evangelism and are active in serving the community throughout

different activities and initiatives every week in their local churches.

Ruth also shared her sentiments,

“You have to lived up to their standards that they expected of you as a pastor’s kid and

you also have to stand out in leading the church programs” (P3T2L35-36).

Ruth verbalized that the congregation set high standards on her in having

responsibilities in the church, she shared that the congregation thinks that she is

competent in all the parts of the church programs because she is a child of a pastor.

Ruth feels that if she don’t participate in programs, the congregation would judge her.

Daye (2012) implied that Pastors’ children are thought to face greater pressures than

other children especially in the church setting.

One participant also shared that a pastor’s kid is expected to be holy all the time.

“You see when people say that because you are a child of a Pastor you should be a

good person” (P6T2L2-3).

In this scenario, John shared his experience wherein he encounters people who

told him that he should behave well because he is a PK. He was not happy with it. He

even said, “ For me, this is not my mindset. My mindset is; what is wrong of being a

Pastor’s Kid? Am I prohibited to do bad and stupid things? Is it really necessary that I

will act as a good person”?(P6T2L4-6)

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Another participant shared,

“The people are expecting us to know everything about the bible, that we could do no

wrong, that we are so good people, that you are perfect like an angel”(P9T1L46-48).

Eve here explained that the expectations of the people for her to be a good

person is too much. She even said that they think of her to be perfect like an angel. She

even added; “They are prejudice against us PK’s. They have this fixed thinking when

you are a pastor’s kid you are not allowed to do anything bad. They set standards on

their mind for me to do”(P9T1L37-39).

Rector (2004) claimed that if there's one group of kids in church that gets

stereotyped, it's the pastor's kids. Whether they're seen as holy terrors or heavenly

angels, the expectations put on them by church members, Sabbath school teachers,

elders, and often their pastor parents, are typically sky-high.

Untainted Name

“If I did something wrong, I know the name of my father will be damaged”

(P10T1L17-18).

Mark here emphasized that he is being careful on his actions it is because every

action he makes reflects to his father’s reputation because Mark is the child. For him,

people judge them especially his father when he commits mistakes upon thinking that

his father did not discipline them well and that he does not apply the things that he

preach in the church.

Pastors’ kids are raised in a unique culture of expectation. Kinnaman (2013)

added that, they share the name of their father, and as such, they often live in the

awareness that their words, attitudes and actions are a reflection of the family’s

spiritual position.

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Another participant shared,

“In my mind is like, what’s with being a child of a Pastor? I can choose and do things

that I like”.(P2T1L33-34).

In this situation, the participant explained that he was in a middle of a fight.

Luke recalled that he became angry because the bully told him that he is very lucky

that he is a son of a Pastor. He further shared that he continues to face these situations

from elementary even up until highschool. That is why he mentioned that he is free to

do anything he desires and that his identity as a PK will not affect and influence his

choices and actions. Kinnaman (2013) added that the social expectations placed upon

them is too heavy. Which leave some PK’s thinking that they did not sign up to be the

son of their dad.

Restricted Life

“I am not pressured but it limits me to enjoy my teenage years because there are some

restrictions”(P1T1L27-28).

Martha shares her experience wherein she struggles in her teen-age years

because she could not do the things that she liked, things that a non-PK can do. She

emphasized that she is not pressured in a sense that she is immune to the expectations.

But, she explained that she needs to follow certain principles and restrictions because

she is a PK and that the constant pressure from people’s expectations forces her to do

things even those whom she does not like. For her, she had no free will and that her

lifestyle has a routine; it is programmed.

Pastor's kids are often put into a personality box before they arrive at a church.

That they should only do specific things. That those things who are not desirable for

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them, the PK must not do it or else they judge them. PK’s just weren't allowed to be a

normal, average person free to choose and do on whatever they want (Rector, 2004).

Center of Attraction

“If you commit a mistake, they will notice it easily, its like all eyes are on

you”(P7T2L11).

In this scenario, Esther shares her experience wherein people easily notice her

everytime she did something wrong or something inappropriate in their eyes. She

recalled; “All eyes are on me, they easily notice my flaws and mistakes and does not

recognize the good deeds that I had done”. You can see in her face and eyes that she is

sad when mentioning these words.

Yet just like celebrities attract the critical eye of the media along with the

glamour of attention, PKs also experience their celebrity as a double-edged sword.

"There was absolutely no privacy, no secrecy. Everybody knew who you were (Rector,

2004). There are two commonly-used terms to describe the kind of existence that many

pastors’ families feel that they live, which are “living in a glass house” and “the

fishbowl syndrome,” which essentially mean the same thing. These descriptions refer

to a feeling of constantly being watched—both observed and judged—by their

congregations. Similar to the reality of people wanting to know everything about the

daily lives of celebrities (e.g., movie stars or politicians), church members often seem

to notice easily their mistakes while others it comes across as an unwarranted intrusion

of privacy (Sheppard, 2001).

Being a Nomad

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“I don’t want to jump in one district to another”(P9T1L57).

Eve shares her opinion in which she mentioned that she does not want to

transfer from one district to another. She explained that; “I am a shut in person, I love

to stay at home”. Eve even shared that she has no friends in their district when she was

still elementary and transferring to another district is tiresome for her it is because she

will be on another school and had to meet new people.

Sheppard (2021) emphasized that, moving to a new home in childhood can impede

school performance, social skills, and behavior, a new study finds, and the negative

effects accumulate such that children who move multiple times are at greater risk.

Moving has different effects at different ages, and changing schools adds to the stress.

If an adolescent PK relocates frequently, it can become “impossible to establish a

stable peer network that can be relied on to support the PKs’ identity-building

explorations”. This can easily be compared to the experiences of “military brats” and

missionary kids, whose families tend to move quite often. The PK’s close friends,

however, will often be connected to the church, which could further jeopardize their

social network if the pastor’s family and the congregation did not part well.

“Transferring houses. It’s an advantage and disadvantage. It’s a disadvantage when

you just made friends and you have to leave them behind”(P1T1L17-18).

Martha shared that the adjustment of having a new set of friends is hard for her

especially if they transfer from one place to another. She stated, “It’s hard! You have

to leave your old friends and try to fit in another place and you have to find a new

friend again”

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 While some pastors and their families stay in one area with the same

congregation for many years, many pastors are prone to relocating much more often.

This aspect of PKs’ lives has a strong impact on their peer groups and where they look

for affirmation of identity (Pond, 2000). Sheppard (2021) added, “The PK may begin

to feel isolated as a result of not having a reliable, confidential social network”.

Feeling Alone

“For me personally I have no happy memories, growing up. Because I am usually just

in the house and I don’t socialize a lot”(P2T1L6-7).

While listening to Luke in sharing his experiences. Throughout the whole

interview, it was observed that his eyes are teary, he did not smile even once and that

his face looks sad(P2AM1L5). Luke here stated that he has no happy memory during

childhood. He said that; “I am restricted on going out from the house. I was alone

because my dad is always not there and my mom is busy in the house. I only have few

friends, only my 2 siblings”.

Julien (2009) in her study mentioned that, social isolation for teens is the result

of social anxiety or other mental health challenges. In those cases, teenagers isolate

themselves in order to avoid discomfort in social situations. Or symptoms of

depression, such as lack of motivation and low self-esteem, may prevent them from

reaching out to others. Therefore, withdrawing usually exacerbates symptoms of

anxiety social phobias, and can lead to a rise in depression. the case during adolescence

when friendships shape a very significant part of a person’s life. During this crucial

time of growing and developing into their own person, adolescents find emotional

support in their close relationships, both family and friends.

Taken for Granted

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“During my high school years, my father has not been able to attend my birthday

celebrations” (P7T1L43-44).

Esther here shares her experience in which her father has not been able to

attend her birthday celebrations during highschool. She explained that her father is

busy attending blessings, baptisms and birthdays from other church members. She said

that her father explained to her that it is in their pledge to serve first the congregation.

Yet she mentioned; “For me personally I felt unfair because I am his child and I have

not felt to be prioritized”.

The problem is real and potent, and for children coping with it day to day, it

can seem overwhelming. Working parenthood requires you to handle an endless stream

of to-do’s and problems wherein you are left with very little time in raising the kids

which is very applicable in PK’s, with parents who are busy working and serving the

church(Dowling, 2019).

The Coping of a Pastor’s Kid

In these section, it describes the lived experiences of PK’s particularly their coping.

These were presented by themes which are: spurned footprints, and clinching own’s

identity.

Spurned Footprints

“I would not gonna marry a pastor”(P3T3L19).

Ruth is certain. She emphasized that she will not marry a pastor, even having a

relationship with a theology student. She mentioned; “It is too tiring to be a minister’s

wife just like my mother. I don’t want my child to experience what I have to

52
experience. Those things wherein you must leave to the expectations of other people

and that they constantly judge us.”(P3T3L19-22).Oakley (2021) mentioned that to be a

Pastor’s wife, people in the congregation expect you to be perfect and if you have kids,

them too. You’re supposed to be the ideal family. Among other expectations are you

not being allowed to show any true emotion, attending every single social event for the

church, and all eyes will always be on you, like a fish in a fishbowl. This is what

female PK’s commonly experience that is why some of them did not want to marry a

pastor in the future.

“I don’t want to follow the footsteps of my father” (P2T1L49).

Luke firmly said that he does not want to follow the footsteps of his father. He

does not want to be a pastor because of what he has experienced as a PK. He said; “But

one thing that I can say is, my father has a very little time with me since childhood

because he is always away. Even until now, he is not on our home because he is busy

with the ministry”.P2T1L23-25). Luke added; “I want to prove them that I can still

serve people even though I am not a Pastor. In the future, I see myself as a Nurse,

helping those who are sick” (P2T1L51-52). According to Berry (2014), Due to

constant pressure, expectations and stereotypes from people, without a proper guidance

because of their father’s lack of time with them, PK’s might not be able to properly

cope with these situations and they will choose another way, not their father’s way.

Clinching Own’s Identity

“I don’t have a choice on being a pastors kid all I have to do is to face those

challenges” (P3T3L10-11).

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 At this moment Ruth emphasized that she was born as a PK that is why she has

no choice but to accept it even though together with that name she faces many

challenges. She stated; “I have to give justice to the name that I am given which is the

pastor’s surname. I have to do my best. And also to improve my faith with God and my

relationship with Him”.

According to Murrell (2019), PK’s should obey, not because their parents are

church leaders, but because they are Christians. PK’s should live right because of their

relationship with God, not because they happen to be related to a pastor. PK’s should

be wholehearted followers of Jesus, not good preacher’s kids.

“I am always delighted watching when I see a minister’s wife”(P1T2L32).

This statement is from Martha in which she shared that she feels thrilled

everytime she sees a minister’s wife it is because she wants to become one. She even

mentioned; “My parents are asking me if I am ready to become one and I am telling

them that I am ready and because I will be a nurse in the future, I would do health

teaching in church. People are always saying that when you become a minister’s wife

your profession would be gone because you are always with your husband but I really

wanted to be a ministers wife. But if I wouldn’t become a ministers wife. I will

relentlessly serve the church”

Not all PK’s chose the wayward path. Some, by the grace of God followed the

path of their parents and began serving the Church. In Stoffel’s study Pastor’s Kids are

the Worst (2004), he referenced that unique blessings can also come along with being a

PK. Pastors’ kids who show unusual gifts and spiritual sensitivity may be placed on the

fast track to ministry leadership. PKs grow up learning the mechanics of ministry and

54
may develop substantial ministry gifts as they grow up in church and serve alongside

their parents. The ministry parents and their church world network may, in turn, open

doors for developing PKs to exercise ministry leadership.

“At first I found it to hard to accept that I am a child of a Pastor”(P7T2L30).

Esther shares her testimony that at first, she did not accept that she is a PK. But,

she explained that as time goes, in order for her that she will not be stressed in regards

to her difficulties, Esther practiced to adjust, obey and to accept the role that God has

given her. She added; “My mother told me that it is not by chance or random that God

chose me as a PK but it is a calling. We are anointed as a family to serve Him that is

why I obeyed my parents, and accept my role as a PK”. Stevens (2020) emphasized

that PK’s were chosen for a special purpose. God calls and puts them in a situation that

perhaps they did not choose themselves. They didn’t choose to be a pastor’s kid, but

God placed them where they were to be born. opens opportunities before you and

pours out many blessings every day in this ministry.”

“I’ll still be following the doctrines that my dad taught me when I was a kid until

growing up and also the religious things. (P4T1L54-55).

Matthew happily shared that in the future, he will still follow the teachings of

his dad the things that he taught him while he was still young up until the present time

and that he will support his dad on his work in serving the Lord. Matthew added; “I’m

sure I will not forget these things that my dad taught me”. Melton (2019) emphasized

that Pastors’ kids must be involved with their church and their dad’s ministry. No

matter their age, a pastor’s kid can radically bolster the ministry of their dad when they

55
stop shirking their duties and start serving their calling. PK’s must choose to use their

position for God’s glory and their life can be a sweet fragrance to the church body and

the world.

CHAPTER 5

ESSENCE AND RECOMMENDATIONS

Essence

The essence of the life of the Pastor’s Kids are described in themes such as:

The joys of being a PK specifically (a.) treasured time, (b.) receiving blessing from

heaven, and (c.) embracing benefits. The challenges of being a PK is described

specifically (a.) stellar expectations, (b.) untainted name, (c.) restricted life, (f.) center

of attraction, (g.) being a nomad, (h.) feeling alone, and (i.)taken for granted. The

coping of a PK is described specifically (a.)spurned footprints, and (b.) clinching

own’s identity

Recommendations

This study provides a glimpse on the life of Pastor’s kids as they experience joy

and challenges in life and how they cope in each situation everyday. The findings of

this study revealed that institutions and educators can take action to tackle this

phenomena of interest. Here are some of the recommendations:

56
1.Quality family time for PK’s are encouraged to be implemented by the Pastor(father)

because this is considered as one of the greatest joys of their children. Also,

socialization to others should be encouraged by the parents to their children as this is

also part of their happiness. Proper implementation of rules in the home is also highly

encouraged it is because it guides PK’s in choosing the right decisions.

2.Privileges given by the SDA organization to the Pastors and workers are encouraged

to be maintained and improved it is because it greatly aids PK’s in their life journey.

3.School educators, parents, church and the community are encouraged to lessen their

expectations to the PK’s because it greatly affects them and is a big challenge for them.

4.The church organization and community is recommended to avoid frequent giving of

assignments to PK’s in church programs in order for them also to experience being an

audience to the sides and to also rest from hectic schedules. The church leaders must

also identify the passions and weaknesses of PK’s in order for them to assign parts that

are efficient for PK’s in order for them to promote the development of their skills and

avoid unncecessary stress on sudden appointments.

5.The Church organization and schools should implement social activities for PK’s in

order for them to make new friends and build better connections to others.

6.The Church, school, home and society should not treat PK’s as saints or angels but

treat them like an ordinary human being who commits sins.

7. As shown by the results of the study, family greatly affects the living experience

especially the mental health of a person wherein it can greatly affects one’s health and

wellness. Thus, the researchers recommended that clinical instructors and educators

nursing students, and nurse practitioners,must ensure that family centered care will be

applied and implemented to the nursing practice, education, and profession.

57
8.The researchers recommended the future researchers to undergo a study on the lived

experiences of denominational worker’s kids.

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 APPENDIX

Informed Consent

Dear Participant,

Greetings! We invite you to participate in a research study entitled Lived Experiences

of Pastors Kids. This paper aims to describe the lifeworld of Pastor’s Kids. It also aims to
explore their living experiences in the SDA denomination. Furthermore, this study captures
how these children deal with the stereotypes that surrounds them and how they cope with
these situations. If you would like to be a part of our study please check the corresponding
box below:

I confirm that I have read and understood the information sheet and have had the opportunity to
ask questions.

I understand that my participation is voluntary and that I am free to withdraw at any time
without giving any reason and without there being any negative consequences. In addition,
should I not wish to answer any particular question or questions, I am free to decline.

I understand that my responses will be kept strictly confidential. I understand that my name will
not be linked with the research materials, and will not be identified or identifiable in the report
or reports that result from the research.

I agree for this interview to be tape-recorded. I understand that the audio recording made of this
interview will be used only for analysis and that extracts from the interview, from which I would
not be personally identified, may be used in any conference presentation, report or journal article
developed as a result of the research. I understand that no other use will be made of the
recording without my written permission, and that no one outside the research team will be
allowed access to the original recording.

62
 I agree that my anonymous data will be kept for future research purposes such as publications
related to this study after the completion of the study.

I understand that I would abide with the health protocols of the school that is implemented.

I agree to take part in this interview.

________________________ ________________ ___________________

Name of participant Date Signature

_________________________

__________________ _____________________

Researchers’ representative Date Signature

MOUNTAIN VIEW COLLEGE

Mt. Nebo, Valencia City, Bukidnon, North Mindanao

8709, Philippines

Letter to the President

Dear_______________________,

Greetings! We, Jamerey Arevalo, Kirk Chum Bacolod,

and Chelsea Joreyle Buhat, 4th year nursing students of

Mountain View College are conducting a research study

entitled “Lived Experiences of Filipino SDA Pastor’s

Kids”. This research sought to determine the Lived

experiences of Pastor’s Kids on how they deal with the

challenges in their lives and what does it feels like to be

a child of a Pastor.

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 In this connection, we the researchers would like to seek

permission from your good office to kindly allow us to

interview the Pastor’s kids here in Mountain View

College (main and annex campus). Any assistance given

towards the completion of our study would be greatly

appreciated.

Rest assured that we will abide the Covid-19 protocols

of MVC and all information will be treated with utmost

confidentiality and will only be used strictly for

academic purposes only.

More power! God Bless and Have a good day!

Sincerely,

Signed,

Jamerey Arevalo

Dianne Pearl Almocera

Kirk Chum Bacolod

Research Adviser

Chelsea Joreyle Buhat

Researchers

Research Questionnaires

Demographic/General Information:

1. How old are you?

2. Where are you from?

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 3. Do you have any siblings?

A. If so, how many?

B. Where do you sit in the birth order?

Main Questionnaires

A. What are the joys of Pastor’s Kids?

1. What are the things that make you happy in your life right now?

2. Growing up as a Pastor’s kid, what happy memories can you share?

3. What experiences/instances that made you thankful because you are a child of a

Pastor?

4. In your perspective, what advantages, benefits, or privileges did you enjoy as a

Pastor’s kid that are not experienced by your peers?

B. What challenges does a Pastor’s kids face?

1. What are the difficulties you encountered being a

pastors kid?
School
Home
Church
Society
2. How did being a pastor’s kid impact your whole being?

C.) How does Pastor’s Kids cope with life?

1. How did you overcome the challenges that you faced

as a pastor’s kid?

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 ( What are the different coping strategies that you did to

overcome the challenges of being a pastors kid?)

Being a pastors how do you view your life in the future?

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 Raw Manuscripts

P1T1

Q1- What are the things that make you happy in your life right now?
What makes me happy is to give to others and having acts of service.

Q2- Growing up as a pastor’s kid what happy memories can you share?
When we visit churches.
Before and after we start the service in our church, we would invite people in their
house and we can interact with the kids and we can get to know the other children and
they are also pastors kid and our group of friends would grow.

Q3- What instances or experiences that made you thankful that you are a child of a
pastor?

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Being able to visit different churches
and also being able to learn a lot about different practices in different churches.

Q4- What advantages or privileges did you enjoy as a pastor’s kid that is not
experienced by your peers?
Transferring houses. It’s an advantage and disadvantage.
It’s a disadvantage when you just made friends and you have to leave them behind
but at the same time its an advantage you’re going to meet a lot of new people in
different places because when you are stuck in the same area or place you will not
grow.

Q5a- What are the difficulties did you encounter in (home)?

Because our grandparents are living with us so we are constantly reminded not to do
this or that because you are a child of a pastor they are looking at your behavior in the
public setting.
I am not pressured but it limits me to enjoy my teenage years because there are some
restrictions.

Q5b- What are the difficulties did you encounter in (school)

I am very jolly, noisy and bubbly type of person when it comes to meeting other
people, whenever we are in church and we would welcome people I am their
representative.
And then people would judge me if they felt like I have acted too much “ayawg kiat
diha kay anak man kag pastor” but its fine because my dad accepted my behavior.

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P1T2
Q5c- What are the difficulties did you encounter in (church)
When they force you to perform something even if I don’t want too.
They would give me parts even if I am not prepared.
I would admit that I don’t have any talent at first but because I am a pastor child, I
learned how to play instruments.
That’s why every church visit we would come prepared we would bring pieces and
violins.

Q5d- What are the difficulties did you encounter in (society)

Every people have implanted in their mind that once you are a pastor’s kid you should
have a good behavior the way you approach people.
The older people once they see you acting different around, they would judge you.
And it is different for our generation they would take it in a positive way that when
you act different, they would give you parts that is really for you example in sabbath
school because that’s how you approaching people.
But still, I could feel that I am tip toeing because I my own personality but if show it
they would judge me and I don’t want to think of me otherwise because I am a pastor’s
kid.

Q6- How did you overcome these challenges?

There was this time when I am talking to my grandmother and I would open up about
my feelings that It wasn’t so hard being a pastor’s kid but I felt that I am required to do
something that I did not agree to and my grandmother reminded me that the pressure is
normal when you are a pastors kid but I should continue on what I wanted to do
because we are all different.
You can play different instruments but you can also be good in handling people and
that is a talent that I have.
And that is what I am reminding myself everyday “I should think otherwise of the
things that I can do but if I can’t do it, I wouldn’t push myself too had but I should
always serve the Lord when I can”

Q7- I am always giddy watching when I see a minister’s wife because I wanted to
become a minister’s wife.
My parents are asking me if I am ready to become one and I am telling them that I am
ready and because I am a nurse, I would do health teaching in church.
People are always saying that when you become a minister’s wife your profession
would be gone because you are always with your husband but I really wanted to be a
ministers wife.
But if I wouldn’t become a ministers wife. I will relentlessly serve the church.

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P2T1
Q1- What are the things that make you happy in your life right now?
The things that make me happy right now? Hmmmm, going together with my friends
and spending time with my family makes me happy.

Q2- Growing up as a pastor’s kid what happy memories can you share?
For me personally I have no happy memories, growing up.
Because I am usually just in the house and I don’t socialize a lot.

Q3- What instances or experiences that made you thankful that you are a child of a
pastor?
Hmmmm I think what I can be thankful for is that I am guided by my father on the
right path and that helps me on not going to, or doing things that are bad especially to
the society.

Q4- What advantages or privileges did you enjoy as a pastor’s kid that is not
experienced by your peers?
For me the advantage of being a PK is that you will be able to participate in church
services with ease.
Being able to hone and develop my skills.

Q5a- What are the difficulties did you encounter in (home)?

For me, I have no struggles in the home.
But one thing that I can say is, my father has a very little time with me since childhood
because he is always away.
Even until now, he is not on our home because he is busy with the ministry.

Q5b- What are the difficulties did you encounter in (school)

In school one of my struggle is that I only had few friends, it is because I don’t
socialize a lot.
Another one, is I easily get into fights from elementary up until high school because of
bullies and I get angry easily especially if they mention that I am lucky because I am a
son of a Pastor.
In my mind is like, whats with being a child of a Pastor? I can choose and do things
that I like!

Q5c- What are the difficulties did you encounter in (church)

In the church, I struggle because they always gave me parts, and I am the type of
person where I want to just sit and be on the sides.

Q5d- What are the difficulties did you encounter in (society)

In the society, I had no struggle, it is because I always stay indoors

Q6- How did you overcome these challenges?

When faced with criticisms and bullies, I usually pick up fights with them.
I want to show them that I am free to do whatever I want.
Sometimes, I don’t attend church because for me, it will just make me worse.

Q7- How do you see yourself in the future?

First of all, I don’t want to follow the footsteps of my father.

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I don’t want to be a Pastor.
I want to prove them that I can still serve people even though I am not a Pastor.
In the future, I see myself as a Nurse, helping those who are sick.

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P3T1
Q1- What are the things that make you happy in your life right now?
The things that make me happy in my life right now are first my family
because whenever there are schedules, school works, academic problems or sometimes
when I am depressed, stressed and I have the chance to call my family all my problems
would be gone I would be happy and I can forget my problems.
And when I can reach out to my friends and at the same time, they can also give time
for me and can entertain me I can feel that they value our friendship.
And another thing is that when I can see that I helped someone, although it is not a big
thing for example in financial aspects but rather in advices, or I can inspire and
encourage other people and they can say “thank you because I needed your help”.
It doesn’t really matter if they can give something back as long as I can help them.

Q2- Growing up as a pastor’s kid what happy memories can you share?
As a pastors kid you will have a lot of happy memories but whenever we move to
places and I don’t have a permanent address so I have to adjust to another group of
youths but one thing that I am happy about is that I can build a bond and relation to
people and also you can serve those people even though sometimes they can think that
since you’re a pastors kid you are higher rank than they are and you are not like them.
That’s what they are thinking “we thought that pastors kid is living more comfortably”
that’s why one of my happy memories are serving them not only in church but also in
ordinary weeks like vacation.
If there are birthdays, get together or small home visitations.

Q3- What instances or experiences that made you thankful that you are a child of a
pastor?
Experience that made me thankful is being a pastors kid I am actually fortunate in
many things because comparing to other kids they don’t get to experience this things.
In church I am thankful I didn’t lack in spiritual learning and I am thankful that I am
guided.

Q4- What advantages or privileges did you enjoy as a pastor’s kid that is not
experienced by your peers?
If you’re a child of a pastor or a mission worker there are benefits for example health
aids, supplies, subsidy in school.
Unlike other kids they have to strive to go to school.
Transferring from one district to another.
I don’t want my child to experience what I have to experience.

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P3T2
Q5a- What are the difficulties did you encounter in (home)?
When me and my siblings are fighting because it is unavoidable.
And when I am so mad at them, I could raise my voice then my mother would tell us to
be ashamed because our neighbors can hear us when they know our father is a pastor
and when we fight our voices can be heard outside and what will the neighbors say.
That’s why I am having a hard time handling it because I am having a hard time
controlling my temper but I have to manage it because I am the eldest and I am slowly
handling it now for the reason that my siblings would follow my bad behavior if I am
away that’s why I am trying to improve myself.

Q5b- What are the difficulties did you encounter in (school)

During high school I haven’t constantly stayed in an Adventist school.
First year is in SPAC second year and fourth year highschool is in public school and
gr. 11 is in an Adventist school and gr. 12 is in public school so in my school life,
I am always transferring.
So when they will know that I am a pastors kid they will suddenly say “you’re a
pastors kid then Why are you like this? why are you so fund of things like this? Why
are you doing that things when you are a pastor’s kid? When supposed to be you
should be doing this doing that” maybe they expect that I shouldn’t do things but we
are only human, I am only human too.
We also have worldy influences.
For example I like different things and all of the sudden here comes your classmates
judging you for example out of impulse
I will say a curse word and then they will react negatively.
You are not allowed such things and my actions are limited
because they set their own standards.
If you are a child of a pastor you should be a “holy” one.

Q5c- What are the difficulties did you encounter in (church)

I realized that not everyone in the church is good to you because that’s what I have
observed and the reality that I saw.
If someone could make a single mistake and you didn’t intend to do it that mistake
would be marked in their minds and that would be their perception of you.
You have to lived up to there standards that they expected of you as a pastor’s kid and
you also have to stand out in leading the church programs.
And I feel that if I don’t participate in programs, they would judge me.
And they expected me to be modest, demure, polite and you have to watch out of
what’s coming out of your mouth. Because in just words they would judge you.
And you should be careful of the people you associated with.
For example, I am really close to the guys or boys and they would see us,
they would judge me easily.
They also think that being a pastor’s kid, I am living a comfortable life.

Q5d- What are the difficulties did you encounter in (society)

I have experienced that when we were still living in Samal Island we have neighbors
that are gossip monger and it is a challenge for me.
For example, I am bringing my classmate home and my parents are not at home they
will start gossiping.

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And as a pastor’s kid even if you are bursting out of anger you have to stay calm not to
cause any scene.
There is one time that its hard to invite them in religious affairs.

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P3T3
Q6- How did you overcome these challenges?
Actually it has been really hard to overcome or to fight because sometimes I could lose
hope that sometimes I could say that my path is unclear but one thing that helped me
overcome those challenges is whenever there are programs in church I would
encourage myself to participate so that I would be comforted with the words of the
speakers and also I could base my knowledge with it.
And realizing to be true to yourself show people who you really are and prove to them
that I could also be the person that could live to there expectations but not all the time.
Even there words hurt sometimes.
I don’t have a choice on being a pastors kid all I have to do is to face those challenges.
And to give justice to the name that I am given which is the pastor’s surname.
I have to do my best. And also to improve my faith with God and my relationship with
Him.

Q7- How do you see yourself in the future?

I would be one of the people who would help in the works of the Lord of course with
the course I chose(Nursing) I should be helping other people with God’s grace.
Just like a missionary.
I would also not gonna marry a theology student because it is too tiring to be a
minister’s wife just like my mother.
Transferring from one district to another.
I don’t want my child to experience what I have to experience.

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P4T1
Q1- What are the things that make you happy in your life right now?
The things that makes me happy right now is socializing with my friends, and being
with my family.

Q2- Growing up as a pastor’s kid what happy memories can you share?
In December, because all of the workers in the mission gather together, the pastor’s kid
plays together, travel to the beach and bond with each other.
But we also bond separately as a family.

Q3- What instances or experiences that made you thankful that you are a child of a
pastor?
Yes, when times like when you act foolishly and being a jerk, I realize about that
constant reminder of my dad that what I did or do it will reflect on him and
I learned from it.

Q4- What advantages or privileges did you enjoy as a pastor’s kid that is not
experienced by your peers?
The majority of the pastors here is being prioritized so example like if there is a
gathering and when the meal time comes we have a separate table and food we don’t
need to line up in order to take up and also if there are birthdays we get invited.
And also if we don’t have food anymore there is a sudden blessings that will come.
Someone will give us food that’s why we don’t run out of food in our house.
Because also in Gensan our car got damaged and all we had is a motorcycle and then
our family friend bought a new car and they offer their old car to us and told us we can
pay it later that’s why were so thankful.

Q5a- What are the difficulties did you encounter in (home)?

Since my dad is already a pastor, there is a standard on how we should live, we should
have limits on our actions unlike before my dad is still not a pastor there’s no limit in
our action.

Q5b- What are the difficulties did you encounter in (school)

In the schools the expectations of you is that your grades should be high, you will not
be expected to be in the guidance councilor and in the principal and also the
expectation that we can’t achieve.

Q5c- What are the difficulties did you encounter in (church)

And in the church they expect that we can participate in the church especially if you’re
a pastor’s kid they expect you that you know how to give message, you know how to
lead the A.Y. and sing.
And it’s been a struggle for me since I have other things to do that I want.

Q5d- What are the difficulties did you encounter in (society)

And in the society in our house in gensan because there’s this one time that we bought
a “san mig” because we will mix it to the “lunas” when I bought it some people caught
me buying it and they easily judge me that I bought this even though I’m pastors kid.

Q6- How did you overcome these challenges?

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I overcome the challenges by letting it pass away and not thinking about it because if
you think about it you’ll get easily stressed and also by singing and sleeping.

Q7- How do you see yourself in the future?

In the future, I’ll still be following the doctrines that my dad taught me when I was a
kid until growing up and also the religious things.
I’m sure I will not forget these things that my dad taught me.

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P5T1
Q1- What are the things that make you happy in your life right now?
I’m easily happy with the simple things like achieving my goals, and being with my
friends and family.

Q2- Growing up as a pastor’s kid what happy memories can you share?
The memorable happy moments that I can share is that joining the camping, and then
participating the programs in the church, and aside of enjoying this it can also train
you.

Q3- What instances or experiences that made you thankful that you are a child of a
pastor?
Many is telling me that if you’re a pastor’s kid you’re lucky because you can benefit
from your studies and in the hospital when you are sick because you have subsidy and
especially when it’s emergency cases.
And also you can get all benefits and discount when you’re a pastors kid because the
missions support you and that’s the advantage of being a pastor’s kid and also if you’re
a pastor’s kid you will be trained and be nurture and that is why I’m so thankful
because if I’m not a pastor’s kid I think I will be engaged and exposed to worldly
things.

Q4- What advantages or privileges did you enjoy as a pastor’s kid that is not
experienced by your peers?
For me the advantage of being a PK is that you will be able to participate in church
services with ease. Being able to hone my skills.

Q5a- What are the difficulties did you encounter in (home)?

For me, I have no struggles in the home.

Q5b- What are the difficulties did you encounter in (school)

The most difficult and challenging for me is when I have part and then sometimes I
feel that I’m not confident in myself and I’m hesitant to accept it.
And they will say you’re a pastor’s kid and why can’t you do it?
And then they’ll compare you to the other pastor’s kid.
And then they’ll judge you because you are a pastor’s kid but you can’t do it, that’s
why it’s putting pressure on me and they’ll set a standard like because you are a
pastors kid you should be capable of doing these and that. And that is the challenge for
me.

Q5c- What are the difficulties did you encounter in (church)

People setting high standards

Q5d- What are the difficulties did you encounter in (society)

My character, my behavior because that’s what they will notice.
You are a pastor’s kid and why are you like this and that.
In other words they can easily see my mistakes, that’s why it’s a struggle for me
because they can’t see my positive doings but only my mistakes.
I know were not perfect but if you see my mistakes you can tell me because what
happen is if they’ll see my mistake they’ll judge you right away and then spread
rumors so it’s a struggle for me.

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Q6- How did you overcome these challenges?
For me before I’ll get depressed, and cry to my dad and ask why is it like this and that?
And he told me why would I get affected to that?
He told me to look into the brighter side, just leave them alone because they have
always something to say but in the long run they just stop, and also I ignore it and then
I just leave them.
And also it’s a struggle for me because some people their coping system is to drink and
other things.
And when they ask me if I drink when I say no they think that I’m not telling the truth
and I told them that I never drink once in my life and I will never try.

Q7- How do you see yourself in the future?

I feel like 10 years from now I will be a responsible person like managing my time,
prioritizing the things like what should I prioritize first and not, because growing up
my parents always tell us.
And it’s a part of me growing up that’s why for me its an advantage in the future
because my parents nurture us and mold us.

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P6T1
Q1- What are the things that make you happy in your life right now?
I am happy that I was able to study in the School of Nursing,
even though it is challenging, it is a privilege for me.
I am just a simple person,
If I can eat 3x a day, and wake up in the morning. I am contented enough with these.

Q2- Growing up as a pastor’s kid what happy memories can you share?
I am not really that exposed in ministry when I was still a kid except when I was in
elementary,
I started to volunteer in the church until high school were I became assistant church
pastor.
In college, I still help the church especially in the media ministry.
These things are happy memories for me because
my strengths and skills were utilized and used.
I am happy in serving the church, not on the front but on the backlines, like helping the
sound system, installing the microphones.

Q3- What instances or experiences that made you thankful that you are a child of a
pastor?
For me, it is the privilege to visit churches, and each time we visit, we receive gifts
from the church members, like rice, chicken, having free lunch,
like they will not let you go home empty-handed.
We even had free fuel for our transportation.
For me its a double benefit, we were able to bless the church members through
spiritual aspects and they were also able to bless us by their gifts and blessings.
I am thankful for all of this.

Q4- What advantages or privileges did you enjoy as a pastor’s kid that is not
experienced by your peers?
For me, the most beneficial for me is the education, because I am a child of a Pastor,
the expenses on school fees will be light, especially in MVC where payment for
education is high.
Like you have the privilege to not pay for now, also
you can charge some of your expenses in your student account.
Financially it is not that hassle and difficult. Also in hospitalization, it is also part of
the benefits. It is part of the aide from the church denomination. Even the child of
denominational workers are enjoying these benefits.

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P6T1
Q5a- What are the difficulties did you encounter in (home)?
Not much, because for me, you see when people say that because you are a child of a
Pastor you should be a good person.
For me, this is not my mindset. My mindset is, “What is wrong of being a Pastor’s
Kid”? Am I prohibited to do bad and stupid things? Is it really necessary that I will act
as a good person?
So, for me its up to the people to judge. I mean, let them judge. I can’t judge them if
they want to judge me. For me it is not a disadvantage but,
what I can see as a disadvantage is you cannot easily go out anywhere. Let’s say you
have an appointment. Especially at the time when my father became a church pastor in
MVC,
I cannot attend to outings because we need to follow the church.
This one, personally my father did not experienced this, but I am just pitying those
PK’s who always adjust because of their father transferring from this place to another.
So that is one thing that I can see as a disadvantage.
For me, restrictions in the house is a blessing. This is my mindset. Because I know that
it is for my own good.
If I don’t follow, I will be in a disadvantage, while following gives me benefits.
Rules and restrictions in the house for me, is not a burden

Q5b- What are the difficulties did you encounter in (school)

For me, I have no experiences of difficulties in the school. Probably, just the
expectations from the people wherein I should be able to preach and pray because I am
a son of a Pastor.
It is okay for me because I can adjust in this type of mindset from people.
There is this one experience though were there is someone who is very angry at me,
even up to the point where we are close to have a fist-fight.
He told me that, “ Oh you should not be confident, just because you are a son of a
pastor that is why I will not fight you”.
“I replied that, why do you include my dad here? This is just the problem of us two”.
And then, he went silent and we cooled down.

Q5c- What are the difficulties did you encounter in (church)

In the church, you cannot dodge on the responsibilities and parts given to you.
Like even when we out to another church, the brethren will assign you a part in the
program.
Even though I had no talent in singing, because I am a child of a Pastor, I am obliged
to sing.
I cannot say no because they will force me.

Q5d- What are the difficulties did you encounter in (society)

As a whole, people look highly on me. It is like I should be holy, because I am a son of
a pastor.

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Q6- How did you overcome these challenges?
For me, its just your mindset.
We are all humans. And then it is not a definition that if you are a PK, you should be a
good person.
I mean yes, the names of your parents will be affected If you do something wrong but
they should understand that because you are a son of a pastor, you are holy!
For me my coping in facing this struggle is to relax, It is because I am a chill and
patient person.
Let them say what they want to say. They don’t know the real story and situation.
They will be the one who will have problems on their own doing. I mean, I know what
is the truth, I know my stand, I know my principles.

Q7- How do you see yourself in the future?

For me, I will use my exposure, experience and background as a PK from the doctrines
of the SDA that I learned, what I can see is that when I became a nurse,
I will apply all of these and I will become a nurse-chaplain.
That is my vision. I want to serve humanity physically and spiritually.

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P7T1
Q1- What are the things that make you happy in your life right now?
There are many things that I am grateful for.
One of these is being here in MVC,
being able to study without having problems in mental, physical, and financial aspects.
I am also blessed with good friends and parents who are healthy.

Q2- Growing up as a pastor’s kid what happy memories can you share?
Being able to minister with the whole family.
Families nowadays, are seldom bonded with one another.
As a PK, it is with great happiness to serve the Lord together with your family.
Another happy memory for me is when I meet new friends and comrades.
Also in creating bonding time with other church members during fellowship.
Also, those times when we got free meals from gatherings and activities.

Q3- What instances or experiences that made you thankful that you are a child of a
pastor?
For me, it is the unexpected blessings that reach on your doorstep.
Also the discipline that is implemented in the home is aligned with the doctrine of the
church.
Like in my home it is encouraged to play religious music rather than secular music.
The influence that is also shown in the house is with reverence from the Lord.
Also you have the assurance of faith, assurance of happiness from knowing that you
are serving the Lord.

Q4- What advantages or privileges did you enjoy as a pastor’s kid that is not
experienced by your peers?
There are a lot of benefits that you can gain if you are a Pastors kid.
These are benefits for education, health, and dental wherein we receive discounts.
There are also great opportunities in the Church, like receiving parts on programs.
As a PK’s every Sabbath you will receive a part.
For me, the congregation prioritize us in the parts of the church, more on like a VIP
status.

Q5a- What are the difficulties did you encounter in (home)?

Restrictions on music played in the house, also my dad is strict especially because I am
slightly a worldly person.
This is applied when I wear skirts that are above the knee and wear thick make-up.
Also I am prohibited to wear ripped jeans and eating junk foods because he is
particular to health.
The reason is, he is preaching on health message and his own daughter is the first one
to disobey.
He describe it that he is just ‘clowning’, that what he preached has no purpose.
During my high school years, my father has not been able to attend my birthday
celebrations it is because he is busy attending blessings, baptisms and birthdays from
other church members.
As a Pastor, he explained that it is in their pledge to serve first the congregation. For
me personally I felt unfair because I am his child and I have not felt to be prioritized.
Because of these, I felt that it is difficult to be a Pastor’s Kid because of their lack of
time to their family. Q5b- What are the difficulties did you encounter in (school)

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P7T2
First of all is, the expectations from people.
Because you are a PK, you should be like this you should be like that.
One of the experiences that I will not forget is when I had nail polish with my friends
and when I went to the clinic, someone told me that why are you having nail polish?
You eat from the tithes of the congregation.
The mindset of the people around is that us PK’s should behave well because the
congregation feed us through their giving of tithes.
It is so tiring to battle with your academics together with the expectations of the people
as well.
If you commit a mistake, they will notice it easily, its like all eyes are on you.
It is a necessity that we should meet the expectations of the people in the school.

Q5c- What are the difficulties did you encounter in (church)

It is okay for me to receive parts from the church program but, they gave almost
everything to you.
I also want to sit down and listen on the benches, not just having parts in the church
every time there is a program because they expect many things from you.
They expect many things from you, they think that you are talented.
When I wear clothes that are slightly inappropriate for the church.
They gossip on me. When I walked and there are people around, I feel weird because
they look different on me.

Q5d- What are the difficulties did you encounter in (society)

Common difficulty that I had is limited actions, I cannot express my real self. It is
needed that I will be the one who will adjust. It is like I have a standard to meet. I also
face discrimination.

Q6- How did you overcome these challenges?

At first I found it to hard to accept that I am a child of a Pastor.
But as time goes, in order for me that I will not be stressed in regards to my
difficulties, I practice to adjust, obey and to accept the role that God has given me. My
mother told me that it is not by chance or random that God chose me as a PK but it is a
calling.
We are anointed as a family to serve Him that is why I obeyed my parents, and accept
my role as a PK.
When I am down, or tired, I do the things that I like, like make-up, photography and
composing songs.

Q7- How do you see yourself in the future?

Serving the Lord happily.
This one of the reasons why I dream to become a Doctor.
I am happy to see people who are served by medical missions.
When I discovered that Seventh Day Adventist also conduct medical missions, it
inspired me to become a Doctor someday.
Also I can see myself as a happy person that will serve the Lord.

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P8T1
Q1- What are the things that make you happy in your life right now?
What makes me happy right now is my family and friends.

Q2- Growing up as a pastor’s kid what happy memories can you share?
Whenever we gather in the district building and we would party and share our thoughts
about our feelings and meet other friends.

Q3- What instances or experiences that made you thankful that you are a child of a
pastor?
Growing up we are always reminded to this and that and
we are oriented about the bible.

Q4- What advantages or privileges did you enjoy as a pastor’s kid that is not
experienced by your peers?
We are always prioritized for example in church there is a gathering in potluck we are
already given food that is already prepared for us and
in terms of financial there are discounts given.

Q5a- What are the difficulties did you encounter in (home)?

They are always saying that you should have a good behavior and you should always
be prim and proper.

Q5b- What are the difficulties did you encounter in (school)

First of all is, the expectations from people.
Actually, I am not admitting that I am a child of a pastor that’s why many people
didn’t know about it except when I was in elem. And high school.
When I was in MVC not many people knew that I am a pastor’s kid and when I tell
them they were shocked.
Because I feel that when I admit it, many people would judge me and it would give me
a sense of responsibility. And I want my life to be peaceful.

Q5c- What are the difficulties did you encounter in (church)

You should always be ready to be given parts even if you don’t want too.
And you should accept it or they would judge you.

Q5d- What are the difficulties did you encounter in (society)

They are expecting that your behavior should be in lined with their expectations
because they think of you as a holy person.
That’s why I am denying that I am a pastors kid.

Q6- How did you overcome these challenges?

Denying that I am a pastor’s kid.
I am actually opening it up to my friends. But not to my family because when I talk
about it they would say that I should be grateful that I am a pastors kid because of this
and that and they would say that I should live my life the way I wanted it too and not
to be bothered about the things that the people are saying because you are also human
not holy people.

Q7- How do you see yourself in the future?

85
I am not marrying a pastor.
but I would still be serving the church and engage with other people it is really nice to
know other people in church and having a great time with them.

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P9T1
Q1- What are the things that make you happy in your life right now?
When I am at home being with my family,
when my environment is not stressful and
when I don’t have anything to do and I am always playing,
Many things for example this research I am really stressed about this and academics

Q2- Growing up as a pastor’s kid what happy memories can you share?
Every month the pastors have this so called “workers meeting” wherein all of the
pastors are going to gather within their conference and then when I was still young, I
am going there with my dad.
It is my happy memory because its like travelling with my family in Cagayan and
would stay there for 2-3 days and I would refer to it as a family day .

Q3- What instances or experiences that made you thankful that you are a child of a
pastor?
I am thankful with the pressure that I didn’t turned out to be a bad girl.
Growing up we were always told don’t do this and that because many people are
watching you.
At first it was stressful. But then I realized that the pressure was a good thing because I
was pressured not to do things that are not good.

Q4- What advantages or privileges did you enjoy as a pastor’s kid that is not
experienced by your peers?
Benefits that the pastors enjoy are passed on to us as their children. Hospital discounts,
School subsidy until we graduate college, dental checkups. In all aspects of our lives
there are many privileges. We are not that wealthy but we can get through our day to
day.

Q5a- What are the difficulties did you encounter in (home)?

We are scolded sometimes that we should not do this or that because we are a child of
a pastor, we are bring the name of our father, we should not act like this. Its not that
bad its just difficult.

Q5b- What are the difficulties did you encounter in (school)

When the people are judging me, for example I am not doing something that are not fit
to their standards of being a “pastors’ kid”.
Prejudice against pastors’ kid. They have this fixed thinking when you are a pastor’s
kid you are not allowed to do anything bad. They set a standards on their mind for me
to do.

Q5c- What are the difficulties did you encounter in (church)

They expected us to always have a part on the programs and
they would give us parts even if we are not ready.

Q5d- What are the difficulties did you encounter in (society)

The people are expecting us to know everything about the bible,
that we could do no wrong, that we are so good people,
that you are perfect like an angel.

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Q6- How did you overcome these challenges?
At first I would be so mad that I am a child of a pastor because people have a lot of
expectations of you and when I do something wrong they would easily judge me and
start gossiping. But now I realized that there are many advantages, because of the
pressure they gave me I didn’t do those bad things that would make me a bad person
especially for me because I am easily persuaded and because of that pressure it made
me a person that I am today. I am a shut in person I don’t like the world. I am not
friendly, I don’t want to jump in one district to another, I don’t have any friends in our
district and my only friends are my classmates since grade 1. And I would read
eBooks. And we have cabinet full of books usually it is all about religious books and
magazines that is full of mission stories and miracles. I am proud to say that I have
read all of those books. And I am so focused with my studies.

Q7- How do you see yourself in the future?

My Identity would be gone as a pastor’s kid in the future. 5 to 10 years from now I
would be achieving my dream. My plan is to pass the board exams, I will start med
school if I will not be in med school, I would go to New York and become a nurse.

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P10T1
Q1- What are the things that make you happy in your life right now?
For now, I am happy due to the reason that my schedules in school is not that busy and
activities are not that hard.

Q2- Growing up as a pastor’s kid what happy memories can you share?
As a pastor kid maybe by visiting different churches and the experience of hiking
going to a small church seeing different views and sea side churches that we pass by
it’s a blessing because at the same time we can have a time of travel with the family.

Q3- What instances or experiences that made you thankful that you are a child of a
pastor?
For me subsidy, because it can lessen the burden to my parents the obligation in school
financially and as well as the conscience that is in me.
The life of a pastor is way easier due to the benefits they have as a pastor.
But aside from that there are still negative rumors. But aside from negative things there
is still a positive side being a pastor kid because we feel like we are supported by our
mission. A reason why I should strive harder and do a good turn daily because if I did
something wrong, I know the name of my father will be damage. And for me it is a
blessing being a pastor kid because I can control my actions. Because if I am not a
pastor kid I know I can do things that is not good to the eyes of God.

Q4- What advantages or privileges did you enjoy as a pastor’s kid that is not
experienced by your peers?
Usually being a pastor kid is a training for me because according to the saying as a
pastor kid you should always be ready for parts in the church.
By singing giving a message or by praying and as a pastor kid many people expected a
big things from you.

Q5a- What are the difficulties did you encounter in (home)

In the house my father as a district pastor is way more busy compared to the directors
because as a district pastor you should visit small churches that is far from us.
I feel like my father was always full scheduled to the point he will go home at night
and sometimes he goes home morning already reason that we don’t have enough time
with the family.
and during my elementary days we go to church without my father because of the
reason he always go to other churches.

Q5b- What are the difficulties did you encounter in (school)

Maybe due to the reason that as a pastor kid they always have that thing that has a high
expectation to the pastors kid especially teachers they have a high expectations
compared to other students

Q5c- What are the difficulties did you encounter in (church)

Me as a person its difficult for me to interact with other people especially strangers.
Compared to my mother and father they always interact with other people the reason
I can’t socialize well with the church members

Q5d- What are the difficulties did you encounter in (society)

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In my situation I have nothing to share about it because I don’t usually go out in our
house.
Q6- How did you overcome these challenges?
Because I’m a pastor kid there are many things I must not do, and I take it as a blessing
because I know it is the way of God protecting me from evil. Because I can be easily
influenced by people around me. Way back then I don’t want to be at Adventist school
because I prefer public schools due to the reason that I want to play volleyball. But my
parents have a friend that said I should go to and sda school. And I realize that being
there on an sda school was a blessing because what if I go to public school I don’t
know here my self is. because I seen my self easy to be influenced.
Because I see my self happy playing volleyball

Q7- How do you see yourself in the future?

Hmmmm maybe having just a simple life that has a house a car and a work.
Because me is a person is just easy go luck or something that just go with the flow.

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 Clusters of Meaning

EMBRACING BENEFITS

 At the same time its an advantage you’re going to meet a lot of new people in
different places(P1T1L19-20).
 I don’t have any talent at first but because I am a pastor child, I learned how to
play instruments(P1T2L4-5).
 the advantage of being a PK is that you will be able to participate in church
services with ease. (P2T1L14-15)
 Being able develop my Talents.(P2T1L19)
 If you’re a child of a pastor or a mission worker there are benefits for example
health aids, supplies, subsidy in school.(P3T1L33-34)
 The majority of the pastors here is being prioritized so example like if there is a
gathering and when the meal time comes we have a separate table and food we
don’t need to line up in order to take up and also if there are birthdays we get
invited.(P4T1L18-20).
 you will be able to participate in church services with ease. Being able to hone my
skills.(P5T1L23-24)
 The most beneficial for me is the education, because I am a child of a Pastor, the
expenses on school fees will be light, especially in MVC where payment for
education is high. (P6T1L30-32).
 Financially it is not that hassle and difficult. Also in hospitalization, it is also part
of the benefits. It is part of the aide from the church denomination. (P6T1L35-36).
 These are benefits for education, health, and dental wherein we receive discounts.
(P7T1L28).
 The congregation prioritize us in the parts of the church, more on like a VIP status.
(P7T1L31-32)
 We are always prioritized for example in church there is a gathering in potluck we
are already given food that is already prepared for us and in terms of financial
there are discounts given.(P8T1L15-17)
 Benefits that the pastors enjoy are passed on to us as their children. Hospital
discounts, School subsidy until we graduate college, dental checkups. In all
aspects of our lives there are many privileges. We are not that wealthy but we can
get through our day to day. (P9T1L24-27)

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 ACTS of SERVICE

 What makes me happy is to give to others and having acts of service(P1T1L2).

 I will relentlessly serve the church(P1T2L39).
 In the future, I see myself as a Nurse, helping those who are sick(P2T1L52).
 It doesn’t really matter if they can give something back as long as I can help
them(P3T1L11).
 I can build a bond and relation to people and also serve these people(P3T1L16).
 One of my happy memories are serving them not only in church but also in
ordinary weeks like vacation(P3T1L20-21).
 I should be helping other people with God’s grace. Just like a missionary
(P3T3L17-18).
 I started to volunteer in the church until high school were I became assistant
church pastor (P6T1L10-11).
 In college, I still help the church especially in the media ministry(P6T1L12).
 I am happy in serving the church, not on the front but on the backlines, like
helping the sound system, installing the microphones (P6T1L15-16).
 I want to serve humanity physically and spiritually(P6T3L17).
 It is with great happiness to serve the Lord together with your family(P7T1L10).
 You have the assurance of faith, assurance of happiness from knowing that you are
serving the Lord (P7T1L22-23).
 We are anointed as a family to serve Him that is why I obeyed my parents, and
accept my role as a PK(P7T2L35-36).
 I am happy to see people who are served by medical missions(P7T2L43).
 I can see myself as a happy person that will serve the Lord(P7T2L46).
 I would still be serving the church and engage with other people(P8T1L51).
.

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 In school one of my struggle is that I only had few friends, it is because I don’t
socialize a lot(P2T1L28-29).
 For me personally I have no happy memories, growing up.Because I am usually
just in the house and I don’t socialize a lot(P2T1L6-7).
 I am a shut in person I don’t like the world. I am not friendly, I don’t want to jump
in one district to another, I don’t have any friends in our district and my only
friends are my classmates since grade 1(P9T1L56-58).

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 UNTAINTED NAME

 Because our grandparents are living with us so we are constantly reminded not to
do this or that because you are a child of a pastor they are looking at your behavior
in the public setting(P1T1L24-26).
 Another one, is I easily get into fights from elementary up until high school
because of bullies and I get angry easily especially if they mention that I am lucky
because I am a son of a Pastor. In my mind is like, what’s with being a child of a
Pastor? I can choose and do things that I like(P2T1L30-34).
 Sometimes they can think that since you’re a pastors kid you are higher rank than
they are and you are not like them.That’s what they are thinking “we thought that
pastors kid is living more comfortably(P3T1L17-18).
 To give justice to the name that I am given which is the pastor’s surname.I have to
do my best. And also to improve my faith with God and my relationship with
Him(P3T3L11-13).
 When me and my siblings are fighting because it is unavoidable. And when I am
so mad at them, I could raise my voice then my mother would tell us to be
ashamed because our neighbors can hear us when they know our father is a pastor
and when we fight our voices can be heard outside and what will the neighbors
say.(P3T2L2-6).
 When times like when you act foolishly and being a jerk, I realize about that
constant reminder of my dad that what I did or do it will reflect on him and I
learned from it(P4T1L12-14).
 There is this one experience though were there is someone who is very angry at
me, even up to the point where we are close to have a fist-fight. He told me that, “
Oh you should not be confident, just because you are a son of a pastor that is why
I will not fight you”. “I replied that, why do you include my dad here? This is just
the problem of us two”. And then, he went silent and we cooled down(P6T2L26-
31).
 When I was in MVC not many people knew that I am a pastor’s kid and when I
tell them they were shocked. Because I feel that when I admit it, many people
would judge me and it would give me a sense of responsibility. And I want my life
to be peaceful(P8T1L27-30).
 We are scolded sometimes that we should not do this or that because we are a
child of a pastor, we are bringing the name of our father, we should not act like
this. Its not that bad its just difficult(P9T1L30-32).
 A reason why I should strive harder and do a good turn daily because if I did
something wrong, I know the name of my father will be damaged(P10T1L17-18).

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 CHURCH WARRIORS

 They force you to perform something even if I don’t want too. They would give
me parts even if I am not prepared(P1T2L2-3).
 That’s why every church visit we would come prepared we would bring pieces and
violins(P1T2L6-7).
 In the church, I struggle because they always gave me parts, and I am the type of
person where I want to just sit and be on the sides(P2T1L37-38).
 You have to lived up to there standards that they expected of you as a pastor’s kid
and you also have to stand out in leading the church programs(P3T2L35-36).
 Whenever there are programs in church I would encourage myself to participate so
that I would be comforted with the words of the speakers and also I could base my
knowledge with it(P3T3L4-6).
 And in the church they expect that we can participate in the church especially if
you’re a pastor’s kid they expect you that you know how to give message, you
know how to lead the A.Y. and sing.And it’s been a struggle for me since I have
other things to do what I want(P4T1L38-40).
 The memorable happy moments that I can share is that joining the camping, and
then participating the programs in the church, and aside of enjoying this it can also
train you(P5T1L6-8).
 For me the advantage of being a PK is that you will be able to participate in church
services with ease. Being able to hone my skills(P5T1L23-24).
 The most difficult and challenging for me is when I have part and then sometimes
I feel that I’m not confident in myself and I’m hesitant to accept it. And they will
say you’re a pastor’s kid and why can’t you do it? And then they’ll compare you
to the other pastor’s kid. And then they’ll judge you because you are a pastor’s kid
but you can’t do it, that’s why it’s putting pressure on me and they’ll set a standard
like because you are a pastors kid you should be capable of doing these and that.
And that is the challenge for me(P5T1L30-37).
 What I can see as a disadvantage is you cannot easily go out anywhere. Let’s say
you have an appointment. Especially at the time when my father became a church
pastor in MVC, I cannot attend to outings because we need to follow the
church(P6T2L9-12).
 In the church, you cannot dodge on the responsibilities and parts given to you.
Like even when we out to another church, the brethren will assign you a part in the
program. Even though I had no talent in singing, because I am a child of a Pastor, I
am obliged to sing. I cannot say no because they will force me(P6T2L34-39).
 It is okay for me to receive parts from the church program but, they gave almost
everything to you. I also want to sit down and listen on the benches, not just
having parts in the church every time there is a program because they expect many
things from you, they think that you are talented(P7T2L15-19).
 You should always be ready to be given parts even if you don’t want too. And you
should accept it or they would judge you(P8T1L33-34).
 They expected us to always have a part on the programs and they would give us
parts even if we are not ready(P9T1L42-43).
 Usually being a pastor kid is a training for me because according to the saying as a
pastor kid you should always be ready for parts in the church. By singing giving a
message or by praying and as a pastor kid many people expected a big things from
you(P10T1L24-27).

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 HOLY STATUS

 Every people have implanted in their mind that once you are a pastor’s kid you
should have a good behavior the way you approach people(P1T2L10-11).
 If you are a child of a pastor you should be a “holy” one(P3T2L28).
 You see when people say that because you are a child of a Pastor you should be a
good person. For me, this is not my mindset. My mindset is, “What is wrong of
being a Pastor’s Kid”? Am I prohibited to do bad and stupid things? Is it really
necessary that I will act as a good person? (P6T2L2-6).
 They are expecting that your behavior should be in lined with their expectations
because they think of you as a holy person(P8T1L37-38).
 They have this fixed thinking when you are a pastor’s kid you are not allowed to
do anything bad(P9T1L37-39).
 The people are expecting us to know everything about the bible, that we could do
no wrong, that we are so good people, that you are perfect like an angel(P9T1L46-
48).

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 CLINCHING OWN’S IDENTITY

 I am always giddy watching when I see a minister’s wife because I wanted to

become a minister’s wife. My parents are asking me if I am ready to become one
and I am telling them that I am ready and because I am a nurse, I would do health
teaching in church.People are always saying that when you become a minister’s
wife your profession would be gone because you are always with your husband
but I really wanted to be a ministers wife.But if I wouldn’t become a ministers
wife. I will relentlessly serve the church(P1T2L32-39).
 I don’t have a choice on being a pastors kid all I have to do is to face those
challenges. And to give justice to the name that I am given which is the pastor’s
surname.I have to do my best. And also to improve my faith with God and my
relationship with Him(P3T3L10-13).
 I should be helping other people with God’s grace. Just like a
missionary(P3T3L17-18).
 In the future, I’ll still be following the doctrines that my dad taught me when I was
a kid until growing up and also the religious things. I’m sure I will not forget these
things that my dad taught me(P4T1L54-56).
 For me, I will use my exposure, experience and background as a PK from the
doctrines of the SDA that I learned, what I can see is that when I became a nurse, I
will apply all of these and I will become a nurse-chaplain. That is my vision. I
want to serve humanity physically and spiritually(P6T3L14-17).
 At first I found it to hard to accept that I am a child of a Pastor. But as time goes,
in order for me that I will not be stressed in regards to my difficulties, I practice to
adjust, obey and to accept the role that God has given me. My mother told me that
it is not by chance or random that God chose me as a PK but it is a calling. We are
anointed as a family to serve Him that is why I obeyed my parents, and accept my
role as a PK(P7T2L30-36).
 I can see myself as a happy person that will serve the Lord(P7T2L46).

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 STELLAR EXPECTATIONS

 So when they will know that I am a pastors kid they will suddenly say “you’re a
pastors kid then Why are you like this? why are you so fund of things like this?
Why are you doing that things when you are a pastor’s kid? When supposed to be
you should be doing this doing that” maybe they expect that I shouldn’t do things
that for them I must not do but we are only human, I am only human too. We also
have worldy influences. (P3T2L17-21).
 Here comes your classmates judging you for example out of impulse, I will say a
curse word and then they will react negatively(P3T1L23-25).
 You have to lived up to there standards that they expected of you as a pastor’s kid
(P3T2L35)
 They expected me to be modest, demure, polite and you have to watch out of
what’s coming out of your mouth. Because in just words they would judge you.
And you should be careful of the people you associated with (P3T2L39-40).
 For example, I am really close to the guys or boys and they would see us, they
would judge me easily.They also think that being a pastor’s kid, I am living a
comfortable life(P3T2L41-43).
 And realizing to be true to yourself show people who you really are and prove to
them that I could also be the person that could live to there expectations but not all
the time. Even there words hurt sometimes (P3T3L7-9).
 In the schools the expectations of you is that your grades should be high, you will
not be expected to be in the guidance councilor and in the principal and also the
expectation that we can’t achieve (P4T1L33-35).
 And in the church they expect that we can participate in the church especially if
you’re a pastor’s kid they expect you that you know how to give message, you
know how to lead the A.Y. and sing(P4T1L38-41).
 For me, you see when people say that because you are a child of a Pastor you
should be a good person. For me, this is not my mindset. My mindset is, “What is
wrong of being a Pastor’s Kid”? Am I prohibited to do bad and stupid things? Is it
really necessary that I will act as a good person? So, for me its up to the people to
judge. I mean, let them judge. I can’t judge them if they want to judge
me(P6T2L36-42).
 I have no experiences of difficulties in the school. Probably, just the expectations
from the people wherein I should be able to preach and pray because I am a son of
a Pastor(P6T2L22-24).
 Because you are a PK, you should be like this you should be like that(P7,T2L3).
 The mindset of the people around is that us PK’s should behave well because the
congregation feed us through their giving of tithes. It is so tiring to battle with
your academics together with the expectations of the people as well(P7,T2,L7-10).
 They expect many things from you, they think that you are talented(P7T2L19).
 They are always saying that you should have a good behavior and you should
always be prim and proper(P8T1L20-21).
 First of all is, the expectations from people. Actually, I am not admitting that I am
a child of a pastor that’s why many people didn’t know about it except when I was
in elem. And high school. When I was in MVC not many people knew that I am a
pastor’s kid and when I tell them they were shocked. Because I feel that when I

98
 admit it, many people would judge me and it would give me a sense of
responsibility. And I want my life to be peaceful(P8T1L24-30).
 They are expecting that your behavior should be in lined with their
expectations(P8T1L37).
 When the people are judging me, for example I am not doing something that are
not fit to their standards of being a “pastors’ kid”. Prejudice against pastors’ kid.
They have this fixed thinking when you are a pastor’s kid you are not allowed to
do anything bad. They set a standards on their mind for me to do(P9T1L35-39).
 The people are expecting us to know everything about the Bible(P9T1L46).
 Maybe due to the reason that as a pastor kid they always have that thing that has a
high expectation to the pastors kid especially teachers they have a high
expectations compared to other students(P10T1L39-41).

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 CENTER OF ATTRACTION

 Because our grandparents are living with us so we are constantly reminded not to
do this or that because you are a child of a pastor they are looking at your behavior
in the public setting(P1T1L24-26).
 If someone could make a single mistake and you didn’t intend to do it that mistake
would be marked in their minds and that would be their perception of
you(P3T2L33-34).
 And you should be careful of the people you associated with. For example, I am
really close to the guys or boys and they would see us, they would judge me
easily(P3T2L40-42).
 I have experienced that when we were still living in Samal Island we have
neighbors that are gossip monger and it is a challenge for me. For example, I am
bringing my classmate home and my parents are not at home they will start
gossiping(P3T2L46-49).
 And in the society in our house in gensan because there’s this one time that we
bought a “san mig” because we will mix it to the “lunas” when I bought it some
people caught me buying it and they easily judge me that I bought this even
though I’m pastors kid(P4T1L44-47).
 In other words they can easily see my mistakes, that’s why it’s a struggle for me
because they can’t see my positive doings but only my mistakes. I know were not
perfect but if you see my mistakes you can tell me because what happen is if
they’ll see my mistake they’ll judge you right away and then spread rumors so it’s
a struggle for me(P5T1L45-49).
 One of the experiences that I will not forget is when I had nail polish with my
friends and when I went to the clinic, someone told me that why are you having
nail polish? You eat from the tithes of the congregation(P7T2L4-6).
 If you commit a mistake, they will notice it easily, its like all eyes are on you.
(P7T2L11).
 When I wear clothes that are slightly inappropriate for the church. They gossip on
me. When I walked and there are people around, I feel weird because they look
different on me(P7T2L20-22).

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 BEING A NOMAD

 Transferring houses. It’s an advantage and disadvantage (P1T1L17).

 You will have a lot of happy memories but whenever we move to places and I
don’t have a permanent addressso I have to adjust to another group of youths
(P3T1L14-15).
 I am always transferring(P3T2L16).
 It is too tiring to be a minister’s wife just like my mother.Transferring from one
district to another(P3T3L19-21).
 I am just pitying those PK’s who always adjust because of their father transferring
from this place to another(P6T2L13-14).
 I don’t want to jump in one district to another(P9T1L57).

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 SPURNED FOOTPRINTS

 First of all, I don’t want to follow the footsteps of my father. I don’t want to be a
Pastor. I want to prove them that I can still serve people even though I am not a
Pastor.(P2T1L49-50).
 I would also not gonna marry a theology student because it is too tiring to be a
minister’s wife just like my mother. I don’t want my child to experience what I
have to experience.(P3T3L19-22).
 I am not marrying a pastor(P8T1L50).
 My Identity would be gone as a pastor’s kid in the future(P9T1L64).

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 TAKEN FOR GRANTED

 But one thing that I can say is, my father has a very little time with me since
childhood because he is always away.Even until now, he is not on our home
because he is busy with the ministry(P2T3L23-21).
 I felt that it is difficult to be a Pastor’s Kid because of their lack of time to their
family(P7T1L48-49).
 During my high school years, my father has not been able to attend my birthday
celebrations it is because he is busy attending blessings, baptisms and birthdays
from other church members. As a Pastor, he explained that it is in their pledge to
serve first the congregation. For me personally I felt unfair because I am his child
and I have not felt to be prioritized(P7T1L43-45).
 My father as a district pastor is way more busy compared to the directors because
as a district pastor you should visit small churches that is far from us. I feel like
my father was always full scheduled to the point he will go home at night and
sometimes he goes home morning already reason that we don’t have enough time
with the family and during my elementary days we go to church without my father
because of the reason he always go to other churches(P10T1L30-36).

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 RESTRICTED LIFE

 I am not pressured but it limits me to enjoy my teenage years because there are
some restrictions(P1T1L27-28).
 Restrictions on music played in the house, also my dad is strict especially because
I am slightly a worldly person. This is applied when I wear skirts that are above
the knee and wear thick make-up. Also I am prohibited to wear ripped jeans and
eating junk foods because he is particular to health. The reason is, he is preaching
on health message and his own daughter is the first one to disobey. He describe it
that he is just ‘clowning’, that what he preached has no purpose(P7T1L35-42).
 They are always saying that you should have a good behavior and you should
always be prim and proper(P8T1L20-21).

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 THE BLESSING OF BEING RESTRICTED

 Hmmmm I think what I can be thankful for is that I am guided by my father on the
right path and that helps me on not going to, or doing things that are bad especially
to the society(P2T1L11-13).
 If you’re a pastor’s kid you will be trained and be nurture and that is why I’m so
thankful because if I’m not a pastor’s kid I think I will be engaged and exposed to
worldly things. (P5T1L16-19).
 For me, restrictions in the house is a blessing. This is my mindset. Because I know
that it is for my own good. If I don’t follow, I will be in a disadvantage, while
following gives me benefits. Rules and restrictions in the house for me, is not a
burden(P6T2L16-19).
 Growing up we are always reminded to this and that and we are oriented about the
Bible(P8T1L10-11).
 I am thankful with the pressure that I didn’t turned out to be a bad girl. Growing
up we were always told don’t do this and that because many people are watching
you. At first it was stressful. But then I realized that the pressure was a good thing
because I was pressured not to do things that are not good(P9T1L16-20).
 But now I realized that there are many advantages, because of the pressure they
gave me I didn’t do those bad things that would make me a bad person especially
for me because I am easily persuaded and because of that pressure it made me a
person that I am today(P9T1L53-56).
 And for me it is a blessing being a pastor kid because I can control my actions.
Because if I am not a pastor’s kid I know I can do things that is not good to the
eyes of God.(P10T1L18-20).

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 HAVING FAMILY TIME

 spending time with my family makes me happy(P2T1L3).

 The things that make me happy in my life right now are first my family (P3T1L2)
 when I am depressed, stressed and I have the chance to call my family (P3T1L4)
 The things that makes me happy right now is being with my family. (P4T1L2-3)
 we also bond separately as a family. (P4T1L8)
 I’m easily happy with the simple things like being with my family (P5T1L2-3)
 great happiness to serve the Lord together with your family (P7T1L10)
 What makes me happy right now is my family (P8T1L2)
 When I am at home being with my family (P9T1L2)
 It is my happy memory because its like travelling with my family in Cagayan and
would stay there for 2-3 days and I would refer to it as a family day (P9T1L11-
12)
 we can have a time of travel with the family. (P10T1L8)

106
 BEING WITH FRIENDS

 we can interact with the kids and we can get to know the other children and they
are also pastors kid and our group of friends would grow (P1T1L7-8)
 Transferring houses. It’s an advantage and disadvantage. It’s a disadvantage when
you just made friends and you have to leave them behind (P1T1L17-18)
 The things that make me happy right now? Hmmmm, going together with my
friends (P2T1L2)
 when I can reach out to my friends and at the same time, they can also give time
for me and can entertain me I can feel that they value our friendship. (P3T1L6-7)
 The things that makes me happy right now is socializing with my friends
(P4T1L2)
 I’m easily happy with the simple things like achieving my goals, and being with
my friends (P5T1L2-3)
 I am also blessed with good friends (P7T1L5)
 Another happy memory for me is when I meet new friends and comrades.
(P7T1L11)
 One of the experiences that I will not forget is when I had nail polish with my
friends (P7T2L4)
 What makes me happy right now is my family and friends.(P8T1L2)
 we would party and share our thoughts about our feelings and meet other
friends(P8T1L4-5)

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 RECEIVING BLESSINGS FROM HEAVEN

 Sometimes when I am depressed, stressed and I have the chance to call my family
all my problems would be gone, I would be happy and I can forget my
problems(P3T1L4-5).
 If we don’t have food anymore there is a sudden blessings that will come.
Someone will give us food that’s why we don’t run out of food in our
house(P4T1L21-22).
 Also, in Gensan our car got damaged and all we had is a motorcycle and then our
family friend bought a new car and they offer their old car to us and told us we can
pay it later that’s why were so thankful(P4T1L23-25).
 Each time we visit, we receive gifts from the church members, like rice, chicken,
having free lunch like they will not let you go home empty-handed. We even had
free fuel for our transportation (P6T1L20-23).
 It is the unexpected blessings that reach on your doorstep(P7T1L17).

108
 CURRICULUM VITAE

CHELSEA JOREYLE D. BUHAT

Acmonan, Tupi, South Cotabato, Mindanao, Philippines

Cell Phone: 09673595302

Email: joereylechelsea@icloud.com

Education:

109
 Senior High School 2016-2018 General Santos
Doctor’s Medical School

Junior High School 2012-2016 Matutum View

Academy
Elementary 2003-2005 Banga Adventist Elementary
School

2005- 2007 Tupi Alliance Elementary School

2007-2010 Matutum View Academy Elementary

School

2010-2011 Shalom Crest Wizard Academy

2011-2012 General Santos City Atis Elementary School

Academic Achievement:

Pre-school Valedictorian

Gold Medalist in Swimming 2011

Senior high Completer

Personal Information:

Civil Status : Single

Birthday : June 15, 1999
Religion : Seventh-Day-Adventist

CURRICULUM VITAE

JAMEREY T. AREVALO

Cambinocot, Cebu City, Cebu, Philippines

Cell Phone: 09654502139

Email: ar2ymc2010@gmail.com

110
 Education:

College 2018- present Mountain

View College
Senior High School 2016-2018 Adventist Academy
Cebu
Junior High School 2012-2016 Adventist Academy
Cebu
Elementary 2004-2012 Cambinocot Elementary
School

Academic Achievement:

Class Valedictorian- Kindergarten

Champion of Storytelling Contest- Division Level,

Cebu City

Class’ 1st Honorable Mention- Elementary

Graduated with High Honors- Senior High School

Personal Information:
Interests:

Civil Status : Single

Volleyball, Soccer, Singing,

Birthday : August 24, 1999

Piano, and Chess

Religion : Seventh-Day-Adventist

Nationality : Filipino

111
 CURRICULUM VITAE

KIRK CHUM O. BACOLOD

Alojado subdivison, Polomolok, South Cotabato,

Philippines

Cell Phone: 09630964607

Email:bacolodkirkchum@gmail.com

Education:

College 2018- present Mountain

View College
Senior High School 2016-2018 Matutum View
Academy
Junior High School 2012-2016 Matutum View
Academy
Elementary 2004-2012 Dolefil SDA Elementary
School

Academic Achievement:

Personal Information:

Civil Status : Single

Birthday : February 27, 1998

Religion : Seventh-Day-Adventist

Nationality : Filipino

Interests

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 Basketball and Table tennis

113