Date

12-4-2025

Department

Rawlings School of Divinity

Degree

Doctor of Education in Christian Leadership (EdD)

Chair

Steve Yates

Keywords

Black women, pastors, CME, leadership, misogyny, calling

Disciplines

Leadership Studies | Sociology

Abstract

This qualitative phenomenological research project will explore the lived experiences of Black women pastoring at least three (3) who are not genetically related, weekly attending male congregants in the historically patriarchal culture of the Christian Methodist Episcopal (CME) Church with a minimum of at least one hundred (100) weekly attendees or more, and actively ordained. The CME Church has traditionally believed that the Bible prohibits women from serving as pastors or in any position of control over men. In four previous studies, Harden (2023), Morgan (2024), Tribble (2005), and Williams (2024) found that female pastors encountered obstacles throughout their journey to pastorship. However, literature lacks research on Black women pastoring and discipling men in the CME Church. The questions to guide this study are: How do Black women pastors describe their experiences navigating the process of leadership expectations and requirements for pastoral leadership in the CME Church? How do Black women pastors describe their experiences pastoring male congregants in the CME Church? What challenges and opportunities do Black women pastors encounter when pastoring men in the CME Church? How do Black women pastors perceive that their leadership influence impacts the discipleship and spiritual growth of male parishioners in the CME Church? The sample participants were screened through a self-completion survey, distributed to forty-five (45) or more women. The data collected from eligible Black women pastors were analyzed to uncover patterns and themes.

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