Black Churches/ Christianity

Status of Women

The leading Black denominations are usually distinguished by a large female membership within the church, but a predominately male leadership. In the Baptist church, the question of whether women should be in leadership has been for the most part neglected. The church has fails to take a definite stand on the issue, leaving the problem to be resolved by individual churches. Depending upon the church and congregation the notion for women in the pulpit is either encouraged or dismissed. It is noted the Progressive National Baptist Convention has admitted women into the clergy, and states that women, clergy, or lay members are permissible to hold any office of the convention. However, the PNBC cannot monitor all churches of the Baptist denomination, and churches holding onto more traditional practices may limit the role of women to solely deal with “domestic” affairs of the church.
Methodist denominations have made a conscious effort to include women in ...