The main focus of this book is on gender differences in seminarians goals, religious practice and beliefs, and experiences as prospective ministers. Based on an in-depth and extensive study of one Presbyterian seminary in the mid 1990s, this book addresses the question of whether gender affects the experiences, beliefs, and practices of men and women who seek clergy careers. Finlay concludes that women's different career patterns are partly a result of their different attitudes toward theological and social issues, which may be rejected by conventional church search committees. This represents a loss to the churches of a diversity of voices and the different experience that women can bring to the ministry.

"This book should stimulate lively discussion in both sociology of religion courses and women's studies programs." - Sociology of Religion: A Quarterly Review