Degree Name

MALS (Master of Arts in Liberal Studies)

Program

Liberal Studies

Date of Award

5-2007

Committee Chair or Co-Chairs

Marie Tedesco

Committee Members

Richard Blaustein, Joseph Corso

Abstract

This study was conducted to determine if ordained women clergy experience resistance or lack of receptivity to their appointments. If so, does the resistance more readily occur with churches in a rural area? The focus of the study was women clergy of the Holston Conference of the United Methodist Church. My study reveals there are Methodist women clergy who continue to have churches outright refuse their projected appointments. My study also reveals that this problem is more often found with churches in rural areas where the culture is connected to long-standing scriptural interpretations and traditions that do not theologically and practically view woman as legitimate church leaders. Qualitative research methods were used in conducting this research. Six ordained women clergy women from the Holston Conference were interviewed. Statistical information was obtained from the 2005 Journal of the Holston Conference of the United Methodist Church. I also researched past germane studies.

Document Type

Thesis - unrestricted

Copyright

Copyright by the authors.

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