Women Clergy Research and the Sociology of Religion

Sociology of Religion, Winter, 2000 by Adair T. Lummis, Paula D. Nesbitt

Nesbitt: The assumption behind my work is that institutionalized religion, specifically mainline denominationalism in North America, still holds credence as a public legitimating voice for sociocultural values underlying gender relations in society. Women seeking elite positions in religious organizations have the potential to influence social change in ways that benefit women's s interests. However, some women, for their own well-being, simply may need to "opt out" of traditional clergy work, out of the clergy itself, or out of the church. Women working in religiospiritual ways outside established institutions and ministerial roles potentially represent a highly creative -- and radically transforming -- trend in religiosity. "Secular spirituality" is descriptive of spirituality that is sufficiently inclusive to allow participation in ways similar to Bellah's notion of "civil religion" (cf., Bellah 1975). This secular spirituality is being infused into caring professions, businesses, and other traditionally nonreligious occupations and institutions, and shares a substantial overlap with feminist movements in presumptions of gender equality and intellectual diversity. The long-range social change potential of this trend is important for us to study.

Perhaps the most over-riding implication for social policy, however, is a false consciousness, among both women clergy and denominational leaders, that a liberal feminist agenda of equal opportunity and access has been completed merely because women are being ordained in growing, equal, or greater numbers than men. As decisions are made about changing how ministry is enacted within religious organizations, attention simply is not given to the potential disproportionate impact on women clergy. Consequently, systemic inequalities become perpetuated and exacerbated, as well as new ones created. However, in Feminization of the clergy I argued that backlash, although a defensive measure, nonetheless is a gauge of social change that has already occurred.

Lummis: I agree, some gains have been achieved. If women hadn't remained proactive, these gains would likely not have come about. Some clergy women have been too zealous in their pursuit of these equality issues, and this has lessened their effectiveness as ministers and as catalysts toward greater acceptance of women in ministry. Because of their efforts and encouragement, women have made gains, but there also have been losses. If we decrease our commitment, the losses may outweigh the gains.

I also have mixed feelings on whether women should work through traditional clergy career paths. However, this does raise a second question. Should women continue trying to involve the male establishment in understanding the issues, or have we exhausted this avenue and should now move forward with our own agenda? Some of the younger men understand. But some of the more senior researchers and clergy, both women and men, seem to have difficulty moving away from traditional "male-oriented" ways of thinking and knowing toward a more inclusive model.