Date of Award

2025

Document Type

Dissertation

Degree Name

Doctor of Philosophy (PhD)

First Advisor

Pamela Larde, PhD

Abstract

The study explored the lived experiences of 10 African American Holiness-Pentecostal clergywomen who faced rejection in a predominantly male-led church system. These women shared detailed stories of their experiences in leadership as pastors, apostles, and co-pastors. A qualitative phenomenological methodology was employed, using interpretative phenomenological analysis (IPA) because it allows for in-depth exploration of how people make sense of their experiences, aligning with the study’s focus on leadership journeys. Data were collected through semi-structured interviews and analyzed through descriptive and iterative coding. Codes were grouped into broader categories, resulting in five emerging themes: voiceless calling, bound to tradition, call from within, facing challenges, and leading without permission. These themes showed how these clergywomen navigated systemic barriers and challenges within the ecclesiastical culture and theological boundaries, yet found resilience through their real-life experiences. The study revealed that clergywomen often encounter discrimination, exclusion, and resistance within their denominations due to their gender. However, despite religious institutions making it more difficult for women to become pastoral leaders, they relied on faith, spiritual calling, and community support to remain resilient and persevere in their roles.

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