“The pastors’ dilemma” revisited. Religious leaders connecting the spiritual and organizational realms through conceptual work

ABSTRACT Drawing on a qualitative study in the Evangelical-Lutheran Church of Norway, this article analyzes how Deans as religious leaders and organizational managers implement a clergy reform. In an ecclesiastical context, traditionally characterized by weak managerial control and strong professional autonomy, the article explores how Deans use the ambiguity of the reform and negotiate between spiritual and organizational responsibilities. Through such efforts, analytically termed conceptual work, managers reframe an administrative reform into professional strategy and seek to conceptualize the institution of clergy as both a traditional calling and a modern occupation. The article contributes to the literature by theorizing through systematic analyses on the strategic efforts of religious leaders on a micro-level within organizations, thereby expanding our understanding of various types of institutional work and showing how leaders mediate between differing demands in their daily work.