EURweb |
A PLACE IN THE CHURCH FOR WOMEN: Writer David Briggs examines whether women have a place in the black church.
At times like this, Ellison - who feels a "burning" call to the ministry - envisions herself up front leading the flock in prayer. But when the women take their seats near the pulpit, the male ministers seated on either side of Emmanuel Baptist Church's pastor take over the service.
Lenora Smoot teaches the beginner's Sunday school class at Emmanuel Baptist Church in Cleveland. Although women teach children's Sunday school classes, play instruments and sing in choirs, many African-American women feel they are blocked from vocational ministry in their churches.
Pastor David Cobb Jr. started the women's choir six months ago to increase the visibility of women in the service, but his congregation is not ready for women ministers, he said.
“Black women activists say change is long overdue in their struggle for equal opportunities in their church. They can be trustees and teachers and can even be ordained as deacons and ministers in some black churches. But like many evangelical churches, many individual black congregations still ban female clergy. And even among churches that accept women ministers, it is rare for a woman to be a senior pastor.”
To be sure, there are success stories ... three women bishops in the African Methodist Episcopal Church, for example. Yet they are mostly the exceptions. Many black churches such as Emmanuel still have all-male deacon boards to oversee the congregation's spiritual life. Tradition and a literal interpretation of biblical texts urging women to be silent are part of the reason women have been kept from the front of the black church, observers say.
There are concerns that women clergy could undermine the historic role of pastors as important leadership models for black men. The issue also is about power and sexism, some women insist.
"How can we say we love the Lord, and we oppress women?" Ellison asked.
For the complete article by David Briggs HERE.
Click for the latest Obama - Political headlines
Share and Bookmark |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
