Understanding the Self-Efficacy and Call of Jarena Lee: A Narrative Case Study
Understanding the Self-Efficacy and Call of Jarena Lee: A Narrative Case Study
Ammie L. Davis | 2021
Abstract
The purpose of this narrative case study was to explore the relationship of self-efficacy as evident in the life and ministry of Jarena Lee with her willingness to respond to her ministerial call as a predictor of her performance even though she was denied the opportunity to preach. In such a case, strong self-efficacy belief and determination informed the response to ministerial leadership and achievements among some women and how they perceived and responded to their call. I explored how self-efficacy informs the response to the call of female ecclesial leaders and their strong belief in their ability to excel in ministry. African American females have struggled in the past to maneuver their ways to better leadership positions amid the stained-glass ceiling’s impairments gelded in the church leadership. In this study, Jarena Lee’s account of her call to preach the gospel is the point of reference for understanding how self-efficacy is developed to inform the response to answering the call for women in ministry. My research unearthed Jarena Lee’s self-efficacy in her religious experience determined by her desire to continue battling against societal obstacles in the church regarding women’s leadership positions despite being rejected. Jarena Lee’s strong conviction in her ability to achieve demonstrates how self-efficacy influenced how she recognized and responded to her call to preach. Therefore, a greater level of self-efficacy, based on a person’s attitudes, abilities, and cognitive skills, may indicate a greater level of performance, allowing the person to effectively handle hard circumstances, strengthening one’s self-efficacy and well-being. I discovered that African American women have the capacity to react to their call with confidence as they understand how self-efficacy informs their recognition and response to the call to ministry as ecclesial leaders. Jarena Lee’s autobiography and the other sources used justified the themes related to the four major factors derived from the self-efficacy research. I discovered the social factors such as gender and racial bias did not hinder her ability to exercise self-efficacy beliefs. Therefore, self-efficacy influenced and positioned Jarena Lee to carry out the call; however, it was the inspiration of the Holy Spirit that guided her to fulfill her call with a message of hope to a broader community.