The Leadership of African American Women Clergy Bishops

The Leadership of African American Women Clergy Bishops

Linda S. Kirkland | 2024

Abstract

Scant research has been conducted on the leadership of African American Women Clergy Bishops. As such, in the first of its kind, this manuscript elicited the responses of fourteen current African American Women Clergy Bishops, from different denominations, regarding their views on various topics related to specific aspects of leadership in general; and to those which are specifically applicable to their personal leadership. Conducted in the Fall of 2023, participants responded to a total of 59 questions/statements via an on-line survey of which 39 questions/statements have been analyzed for this manuscript. Survey participants responded to questions/statements related to leadership, Christian leadership, strategic church leadership, gender and leadership, the African American Church and gender leadership, and egalitarianism and the African American Church.

This manuscript includes the voices and insights of these 14 phenomenal women Bishops, as African American women have always played an historic and significant role in the development [of] and on-going survival of the Black Church. Their roles within the Black church have varied and oftentimes have been challenged because of patriarchal and misogynistic views. Women ministry leaders include those called to the ministry and denied access to pastoral positions, as well as to higher levels of authority within its various denominational structures.

This manuscript focuses on the advancement of African American women clergy, who having progressed through various lower-level roles of leadership, have achieved the highest level of leadership, in some African American as well as in some largely white denominations…that of BISHOP. Although there has been some progress in the appointing and/or the election of African American Women Clergy as Bishops, there is still much work to be done to ensure that women are afforded opportunities to advance to the upper echelons of denominational polity. Two significant findings from the survey include: (1) African American Women Clergy Bishops believe that they must work harder and be better prepared than their male counterparts in order to assume higher positions of leadership, (2) The Black Church, while protesting racism within the larger society, and preaching liberation and equality from racism and classism, has not done a good job at promoting these same principles as it pertains to women in top leadership positions (including the elimination of sexism) within its own venerable halls and leadership ranks.

For future consideration, the question remains: “Can the African American Church serve as an egalitarian beacon of hope for future women clergy who aspire to higher leadership positions…Can more room be made at the “top?”

Keywords: African American Women Clergy Bishops, Black/African American Church, gender and leadership, Christian egalitarianism, Christian leadership