Date

3-10-2026

Department

Rawlings School of Divinity

Degree

Doctor of Philosophy in Christian Leadership (PhD)

Chair

Melody Smith

Keywords

Transformational Leadership Theory, Black women leaders, Black Protestant churches, Predominantly Black church, Christian leadership

Disciplines

Christianity | Leadership Studies

Abstract

Due to changes within society and theological leanings, more Christian leadership opportunities are available for leaders within predominantly Black churches. Campbell-Reed (2018) found that women make up 50 to 75% of the membership in these congregations yet assumed less than 10% of church leadership and perhaps 1% of pastors (p. 2). With such a robust representation of Black women, are they equally represented in leadership roles and opportunities? While there is ample space for speculation about these low percentages, there is also space for exploring the experiences of women regarding leadership opportunities. Transformational leadership theory assumes that the relationship between leaders and their followers can create opportunities for personal and professional development. This study explored how transformational leadership theory has impacted Black women leaders in predominantly Black churches through Idealized Influence, Inspirational Motivation, Intellectual Stimulation, and Individualized Consideration. The conclusions revealed consistent patterns of structural, cultural, and relational dynamics that shaped access to leadership roles for Black women. They further showed that while transformational leadership behaviors created meaningful pathways for development, their impact was uneven and often constrained by longstanding traditions within Black Protestant churches.

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