wfn.org | Stained Glass Ceiling

[owner-umethnews@ecunet.org]

"UNITED METHODIST DAILY NEWS 97" by SUSAN PEEK on April 15, 1997 at 14:24
Eastern, about DAILY NEWS RELEASES FROM UNITED METHODIST NEWS SERVICE (149
notes).

Note 148 by UMNS on June 10, 1997 at 15:38 Eastern (4686 characters).

Produced by United Methodist News Service, official news agency of
the United Methodist Church, with offices in Nashville, Tenn., New
York, and Washington.

CONTACT: Linda Green                           336(10-21-71B){148}
         Nashville, Tenn. (615) 742-5470             June 10, 1997

United Methodist clergywomen
hit "stained glass ceiling"

                 by United Methodist News Service*
     
     The lack of experience local churches have with women in
leadership positions is a reason more women are not appointed as
senior pastors of large membership churches, according to an
official in the United Methodist Board of Higher Education and
Ministry. 
     According to the Rev. Lynn Scott, director of continuing
education for ministry in the board's Division of Ordained
Ministry, nearly 40 years after women received full rights as
ordained elders in the denomination, they are still hitting the
"stained glass ceiling" when it comes to appointments as lead
pastors in local churches. 
     Lead pastors are defined as those who work with at least one
other ordained minister on the staff.
     Scott said there are contributing factors that hinder
clergywomen from attaining leadership positions in the
denomination including the lack of opportunities for congregations
to see women as pastoral leaders.
      Scott said  "systemically," society and the church expect a
certain leadership style that is characterized by patriarchal or
hierarchical models. 
     Portland Area Bishop Ed Paup said, "I don't think all of our
churches have been adequately prepared for receiving clergywomen
in lead pastor roles. It seems to me the reality is that people
still think of lead pastors in terms of Anglo males."
     Statistics compiled using data from the denomination's
finance agency show that of 81 churches with a membership of more
than 3,000, none is served by women lead pastors.
     Other statistics show:
     * of 181 churches with memberships of 2,000-2,999, 5 are
served by women;
     * of 248 churches with memberships of 1,500-1,999, 2 are
served by women;
     * of 690 churches with memberships of 1,000 to 1,499, 10 are
served by  women.
     The totals show of 1,200 churches with a membership of 1,000
or above, 17 or 1.4 percent are served by women lead pastors.
     According to Scott, women elders constitute approximately 11
percent of all ordained elders in the church. Currently, 16
percent of district superintendents are women and 15 percent of
active bishops.
     In an effort to find out why there is a ceiling for women
pastors, the section on elders and local pastors of the Division
of Ordained Ministry is planning a consultation for women serving
as lead pastors.
     Scott said the consultation will assist these clergywomen
with their needs and concerns, examine specific issues, provide a
network and develop new models of ministry.
     "I am hopeful this consultation will help us work in
partnership with bishops, district superintendents, and with the
women who have the gifts and skills," said the Rev. Liz Lopez
Spence, lead pastor of Christ United Methodist Church, Rochester,
Minn. 
     She said that although the church has done well in appointing
women as district superintendents and electing them as bishops,
"the impact of women as lead pastors in local churches is
lacking."
     The Rev. Patricia Ferris, a district superintendent in the
California-Pacific conference, said clergywomen need more
opportunities to receive leadership training and to gain more
visibility in their annual conferences.
      "Women often get stuck in smaller churches because their
gifts are not known," she said.
     Ferris said it is important for male pastors to include women
and invite them in as pastors, workshop leaders or presenters so
that congregations will have the opportunity to see women in these
leadership roles. "Clergywomen need to be more intentional in
helping bishops and cabinets know who we are and what gifts we
have to offer." 
     According to Spence, there are local churches that seem to
question whether women really can handle a larger church. Will
they be good managers? How will they handle the demands of a
family with the demands of the church? "These are questions they
don't often ask of male pastors," she said.
     She said the challenge that bishops and district
superintendents face in the appointive process is to look at the
gifts and graces rather than gender.
                              #  #  #

     * Information for this release is from an article written by
Kathy Gilbert, Office of Interpretation, General Board of Higher
Education and Ministry.

-----------------------------------------------------------------------

 To make suggestions or give your comments, send a note to 
 umns@ecunet.org or Susan_Peek@ecunet.org

 To unsubscribe, send the single word "unsubscribe" (no quotes)
 in a mail message to umethnews-request@ecunet.org

-----------------------------------------------------------------------