ABSTRACT DEPARTMENT OF HUMANITIES COLEMAN-CROSSFIELD, LATANGELA L. A.S. DEKALB COMMUNITY COLLEGE, 1987 B.A. BEULAH HEIGHTS BIBLE COLLEGE, 1998 M.A.C.E. CHARLES H. MASON SEMINARY, INTER- DENOMINATIONAL THEOLOGICAI, CENTER, 1999 THE IMPACT OF SEXISM ON AFRICAN-AMERICAN WOMEN MINISTERS IN SELECTED BRANCHES OF METHODISM AS PERCEIVED BY CLERGYWOMEN: 1980-2000 Advisor: Josephine Bradley, Ph.D. Dissertation dated May 2008 This study analyzed sexism as it was perceived by clergywomen within the African Methodist Episcopal Church, the Christian Methodist Episcopal Church, and the United Methodist Church. Specifically, this research analyzed the impact of sexism on thirty African-American women ministers in Methodism between 1980-2000. This study was conducted using a case study analysis, which allowed the researcher to detect seven factors which impact the lives of women ministers in terms of: 1 (1) Women and/or men's opposition to female leadership in the Church, (2) Socio- political-theological systems, (3) Perception of inferiority, (4) Interpretation of scripture, (5) Slow ordination process or denial, (6) The appointment process and/or appointment to smaller churches, and (7) Lower clergy salaries. The conclusion drawn from these findings suggests that the social implications influencing sexism in the Church is primarily laced in traditionalism. The significance of this study advances the knowledge of sexism in the Church, and how sexism impacts the lives of women in the workplace in general, and African- American women ministers in particular. This study also advances the knowledge pertaining to clergywomen's perception of religious sexism and leadership in the Church. Therefore, it is a contribution to religious studies, African-American studies, humanities, church leaders as well as womanist studies. In addition, this study enriches one's understanding of gender relations in terms of how the roles assigned to men and women structure society and shape their personal interactions within the Church, and within the African-American community. However, this investigation is an opportunity for African- American women ministers to voice their perceptions of their roles within the Church. These interviews provided useful indications of African-American women's perceptions, progressions, and/or stagnations within Methodism. THE IMPACT OF SEXISM ON AFRICAN-AMERICAN WOMEN MINISTERS IN SELECTED BRANCHES OF METHODISM AS PERCEIVED BY CLERGYWOMEN: 1980-2000 A DISSERTATION SUBMITTED TO THE FACULTY OF CLARK ATLANTA UNIVERSITY IN PARTIAL FULFILLMENT OF THE REQUIREMENTS FOR THE DEGREE OF DOCTOR OF ARTS IN HUMANITIES BY LATANGELA L. COLEMAN-CROSSFIELD DEPARTMENT OF HUMANITIES ATLANTA, GEORGIA MAY 2008 02008 LATANGELA L.. COLEMAN-CROSSFIELD A11 Rights Reserved ACKNOWLEDGMENTS First, I thank Jesus Christ for granting me the strength, guidance, gifts, and graces to endure many years of matriculation and research. I would also like to thank my mother, Suzette Onwukara, and my stepfather, Bright Onwukara, for their support during my educational endeavors. I will never forget the time, talents, or dedication exhibited by Dr. K. B. S. Barrow, Dr. Josephine Bradley, Dr. Love Henry Whelchel, Jr., and Dr. Curtis Grier. Moreover, I am forever grateful for the 30 Methodist clergywomen who participated in this study. I am most grateful for the love and encouragement that I received from my beloved daughter, Bianca Niara Dillard (June 2, 1988 to March 1 l,2007), whose love, compassion, and sacrifice during my matriculation will never be forgotten. TABLE OF CONTENTS .. ACKNOWLEDGMENTS ..................................................................................................11 LIST OF TABLES ...............................................................................................................v LIST OF ABBREVIATIONS............................................................................................. vi DEFINITION OF TERMS ...............................................................................................vii CHAPTER I INTRODUCTION ....................................................................................1 Significance of the Study .............................................................................3 Social Implications ......................................................................................5 Political Implications ...................................................................................9 Theological Implications ..........................................................................14 Conceptual Framework ..............................................................................18 Methodology .............................................................................................-29 Sample .......................................................................................................30 Procedures ..................................................................................................I Instrument .................................................................................................1 Research Questions.................................................................................... 33 Limitations of the Study ............................................................................33 Organization of Chapters......................................................... 34 I1 . REVIEW OF THE LITERATURE ...........................................................36 I11 . CONTEXT OF THE PROBLEM ..............................................................74 CHAPTER IV . AFRICAN-AMERICAN WOMEN MINISTERS IN METHODISM: A HISTORICAL OVERVIEW ......................................88 African-American Women Ministers in the United Methodist Church ......................................................................................................-95 African-American Women Ministers in the African Methodist Episcopal Church ....................................................................................102 African-American Women Ministers in the Christian Methodist Episcopal Church ..................................................................................106 Womanist Theological Perspectives ........................................................108 Perceptions of Clergymen Attitudes Towards Clergywomen .................116 V . BROKEN SILENCE: VOICES FROM WITHIN METHODISM ......... 123 Voices From Within the African Methodist Episcopal Church ...........123 Voices From Within the Christian Methodist Episcopal Church ............ 134 Voices From Within the United Methodist Church .................................145 Findings and Discussions ........................................................................156 VI . CONCLUSION AND RECOMMENDATIONS ....................................183 Future Recommendations .......................................................................190 APPENDIX A . Telephone Interview Script ...............................................................192 B . Interview Questions ...............................................................................194 C . Consent Form ...........................................................................................196 D . Release Form ..........................................................................................197 BIBLIOGRAPHY ...........................................................................................................198 LIST OF TABLES Table 1. Number of Participants: African-American Women Ministers .........................157 LIST OF ABBREVIATIONS AME African Methodist Episcopal Church AMEZ African Methodist Episcopal Zion Church BMCR Black Methodists For Church Renewal CME Christian Methodist Episcopal Church ITC Interdenominational Theological Center UMC United Methodist Church DEFINITION OF TERMS Academic Ministry: A position that is held by someone who may or may not be licensed, but nonetheless teaches the gospel inside or outside an academic institution. Associate Member: Local pastors who have made progress toward licensing; therefore, associate ministers may continue their preparation and be received as an associate member. Authority: Power to influence or command thought, opinion, or behavior. Bishop: One having ecclesiastical supervision; as a clergyman or clergywoman ranking above a pastor, elder, or deacon and one who has authority to ordain and confirm, and one who typically governs the diocese. Books of Discipline: A handbook for the church which defines the nature of the church covenant. Chaplain: A clergyman or clergywoman who is oficially attached to a branch of the military, to an institution, or to family or court, Clergy: Individuals who serve as commissioned ministers, deacons, elders, local pastors under appointment of a Bishop (full and part-time), who hold membership in an annual conference, and who are commissioned, ordained, or licensed. Commissioning: A church act that publicly acknowledges God's will and the response, talents, gifts, and training of the candidate. District Superintendent: A United Methodist Church elder who presides over a district (subdivision of an Annual Conference) and in this capacity assists the Bishop in ordering the life of the church. Elder: One who is primarily responsible for the preaching or teaching ministry. In addition, he or she is responsible for the administration of the sacraments, ordering the Church for its mission and service, and administration of the