Growing Up in Ministry: A Transcendental Phenomenological Study of Seventh-day Adventist Pastors’ Children

Objective: This transcendental phenomenological study explored the lived experiences of seven Seventh-day Adventist pastors’ children at Central Philippine Adventist College. Methodology: Using Moustakas’ (1994) framework, data were collected through semi-structured in-depth interviews, and analyzed through horizontalization, and thematic clustering. Results: Four essential themes emerged: Always Being Watched, Hiding Behind a Mask, Getting Lost in the Maze, and Growing Through Struggle. Participants reported emotional exhaustion, hyper-vigilance, and identity tension, yet also demonstrated remarkable capacity for meaning making and spiritual maturation. Conclusions: The essence of the experience reveals that pastor’s children negotiate visibility and vulnerability, ultimately forging authentic selfhood and faith within the crucible of expectation. These findings informed churches, educational institutions, and pastor-parents in creating supportive environments for pastoral families.

Pastors’ children, Seventh-day Adventist, transcendental phenomenology

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