Evolution of Gender and Ministry in American Protestant Denominations with Emphasis on Women Ordination

Introduction

The term mainline denominations emanate from the American perspective of religious groups and churches, which are considered to be associated with prolonged historical accounts. Therefore, the mainland protestant denominations have been in existence in the United States for an extended period. Some of the churches can be traced back to the Protestant Reformation era while others have originated from Europe as a result of a new perspective of critical beliefs of the old denominations or spread of specific religious teachings. Worth pointing out is that the mainland churches are different from the evangelical denominations where the former is founded on cultural transitions, and the latter is considered as being conservative. Moreover, the Protestant churches and the evangelical denomination initially shared universal theological fundamentals, but several diversities have characterized that. Therefore, several beliefs and practices associated with the mainline Protestant churches in the United States have undergone critical changes over the years. Based on the doctrinal and cultural changes and shifts, studies have been carried out to determine the implication and occurrence as well as perspectives and expectations associated with such changes in this churches. This paper is a research proposal for a study seeking to evaluate the evolution of gender and ministry in American Protestant denominations with emphasis on women ordination.

Problem Statement and FocusSeveral beliefs have been associated with the mainline Protestant churches based on historical analysis. Key factors such as baptism, communion practices, and liturgy doctrines have characterized the culture of these churches. Marriage and social justice are also part of the firm perspectives associated with the denominations. Therefore, doctrinal and social aspects have been given a significant position on the progress of the churches. However, changes and shifts in the culture emanating from increase knowledge, varied perspectives to vital cultural tendencies, and increased global integration have led to changes in the critical beliefs associated with some mainline Protestant churches in the United States. In fact, the evangelical churches have disregarded the Protestant approach to cultural changes, which has resulted in the labeling of the mainline churches as liberals. However, these changes have impacted the doctrinal and cultural fundamentals based on the historical and current elements that define the Protestant churches in the United States. One of the critical areas of concern associated with gender has been the ordination of women in service. Therefore, this study seeks to evaluate the evolution of gender and ministry in American Protestant denominations. The study will focus on the aspect of women ordination where the researcher will critically examine the qualitative implication associated with the gradual doctrinal change regarding women ordination.

Prior Studies and JustificationSeveral scholars have investigated various aspects associated with the changes in cultural practices and beliefs in mainline Protestant churches in the United States. Worth pointing out is that the protestant churches considered as the mainline denominations have been presented differently (Alexander, 2003). However, the seven known mainline churches include the following: The United Methodist Church, American Baptist Churches in the USA, the United Church of Christ, the Episcopal Church, the Presbyterian Church USA, and the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America. Scholars have given more attention to the cultural changes and practice shifts regarding women in these churches. The centricity of analysis has been how the denominations have considered the position of women and influence of the traditional practice of the gender-based service and ministry (Ruether, 2005).

The evaluation of the gender-based religious transformation is founded on critical works by pioneer researchers who examined the trends associated with the culture and doctrinal practices. According to Carroll, Hargrove, and Lummis (1983), the onset of an increasing number of women serving in the church was a remarkable religious change in the United States, which included the seminaries and professional ministries. Based on the need to evaluate the changes regarding women serving as clergy in the churches, Zikmund, Lummis, and Chang (1998) made a diverse follow up where their focus was on the factors that contribute to the changes exhibited in women ministry. Based on the findings of the two publications it was necessary to determine the differences that exist between the clergywomen and men.

Lehman (2002) looked at the various effects and challenges associated with the women who are called to serve in the church. The scholar has published a series of books and articles on women clergy examining the different perspective of the practice. One of the key factors has been the attitude of the congregation on women clergy and other women in religious leadership positions. While other perspectives such as the autonomy of the surrounding authority have been presented as a critical determinant of the degree of which women are incorporated into the church service, other factors such as the historical tendencies remain influential (Chaves, 1996).

Other critical perspectives of the existing literature have given significant concern on women career and their lives in ministry. Such studies have focused on the paths of entry and the contributing factors as well as the associated obstacles. Weber (1996) evaluated the notion of being called to serve in ministry. Founding his proposition on the work and experience of Martin Luther, the scholar argued that the calling to minister in a church or beyond include both the men and women. Therefore, providing an ample time and an environment that encourage leadership and commitment for both the genders is a critical part of Christian service.

Furthermore, studies regarding women ordination are limited. Such a scenario calls for a further assessment of this perspective to present a qualitative outcome of the changes exhibited in the mainline Protestant Churches in the United States. However, some scholars have attempted to present how the shift in doctrine and culture-based practice regarding ordination has impacted the churches. Since ordination is part of the process for ministry participation, the ordination of women has been perceived differently based on the traditional practices associated with both the Protestant churches and the evangelical denominations across the globe.

According to Brasfield (1990) and Lehman (2002) the experiences of clergywomen of the present day Protestant churches have changed over years when compared to the 1970s and 1980s. The scholars have narrated how women ordination has become part of the current practices. On the other hand, Takahashi (2004) and Schmidt (1999), while carrying out a case study on the Methodist church, pointed out that the changes in the mainline American churches have inclined towards women ministry. Among the critical practices pointed out was the aspect of leadership and ordination. However, the scholar concluded that the experience of women, the institutionalization, and feminism-religion interactions have contributed to the current changes (Takahashi, 2004; Schmidt, 1999).

Worth pointing out is that the focus of the research carried out regarding the evolution of gender and ministry in most of the American Protestant churches have been centered on a comparative analysis seeking to evaluate the historical accounts and the present practice (Porterfield, 2001; Mitchell, 2000). The basis of such evaluations has been to determine the impact of the shifts on women leadership in churches as well as the implication on the doctrinal fundamental. Nevertheless, works that seek to advance the works of Weber (1996), Lehman (2002), and Takahashi (2004) are limited, which has been the baseline for the justification of this proposed study.

Aim, Objectives, and Questions of the StudyThe proposed study is focused on evaluating the evolution of gender and ministry in American Protestant denominations. The proposed research aims to carry out a qualitative assessment of the evolution with emphasis on the shifts associated with women ordination. The study is limited to the American Mainline Protestant churches. Therefore, the primary objective of the research will be to carry out an evaluation of the evolution of gender and ministry in line with women ordination in American Mainline Protestant churches. The other objectives are to carry out an assessment of the historical inclusion and implication and to evaluate the future considerations associated with clergywomen ordination and ministry in American Protestant churches. Therefore, the following is a list of the objectives as well as the research questions associated with the proposed study.

4.1 Research ObjectivesPrimary Objective:

To evaluate the evolution of gender and ministry in line with women ordination in American Mainline Protestant churches.

Other Objectives:

To assess the historical inclusion of gender and ministry in American Mainline Protestant churches.

To determine the implication of women ordination on culture and doctrinal fundamentals in in American Mainline Protestant churches.

To evaluate the future considerations associated with clergywomen ordination and ministry in American Protestant churches.

4.2 Research QuestionsWhat are the critical elements that characterize the evolution of gender and ministry in American Mainline Protestant churches?

What are the implication of women ordination on culture and doctrinal fundamentals in American Mainline Protestant churches?

What are the critical areas associated with doctrine, culture, and social orientation are to be of significant concern in future regarding clergywomen ordination and ministry in American Protestant churches?

5.0 Theoretical Framework and Perspectives5.1 Theory-based Research FrameworkThis study will be based on the Standpoint Theory. The theory is founded on the multidimensional perspective that includes the perception of people regarding a phenomenon. According to the theory, a persons viewpoint is primarily founded on...