Whosoever Will Let Her Come: Social Activism and Gender Inclusivity in the Black Church

Abstract

This study examines the relationship between Black Church involvement in social and racial justice issues and support for women in the pastorate, using Faith Factor 2000 national data for seven denominations and bivariate and logistic regression analyses. Findings suggest that involvement in social activism does not necessarily correlate positively with support for women as pastors. Although frequent sermonic focus on Black Liberation and Womanist theology, and clergy involvement in protest efforts, engender such support, sermonic focus on general issues of racial justice actually undermine support for women in the pastorate. These findings have important implications for efforts toward increased gender equity in the Black Church tradition.