Despite their accomplishments, women are still not readily accepted in positions of leadership—whether as judges in the courtroom or as CEOs in the boardroom. However, it is sad to note that the same lack of professional parity for women that pervades all professions is also pervasive in ministry.
Churches that welcome women as leaders often offer lower salaries, less professional support and exposure, and fewer opportunities for professional development.
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That’s why the Rev. Dr. Leah White, senior pastor of Greater Faith Baptist Church in Baltimore, founded Sisters in Ministry, an organization that encourages, empowers, and mentors women in their ministry walk.
“For people to declare women unfit to preach when God chose a woman to bring his son to deliver all sons and daughters from their sins — that’s ludicrous,” White says.
In 1997, White became the first woman called to lead an established Baptist church in Baltimore. But she has known for some time that along with preaching from the pulpit, her calling also involved shepherding and supporting other pastors.
“One of the reasons I formed Sisters in Ministry was that a pastor asked for recommendations of 10 ordained ministers for possible women’s day preachers. I struggled, but I couldn’t find 10. And a few years later a similar request came, but for preachers under 21. Still no list. And women were the predominant students in seminary back then,” White says.
And so, in 1998, after observing women struggling, not only with their call to ministry and the necessary acknowledgment by their leaders but also with the need to get the necessary education to equip them for the work, she decided to take action.
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White recalls how “when Rev. Lisa Weah, now Bishop, was called to pastor New Bethlehem Baptist Church,” in Baltimore,” she ended up crying. “I was so happy that she’d been called, but it had been 10 years since I was called, and it had taken that long for another” woman to become pastor of a local church. So encouragement is White’s passion.
White says she advocates for women “to continue to pursue higher education and make themselves qualified. We do preparation for ordination and ordination. Our members include preachers, bishops, and apostles. And we have worship leaders,” White says.
But even when women prepare themselves educationally to enter the ministry, they still meet barriers.
“There’s so much to cover in preparation for real worship, so much that formal or seminary training does not prepare us for,” White says.
For some, there’s no money for their education, especially if their children are also in school. For others, there’s a lack of parity in household duties.
“You have to remember that men are often more successful, no matter the profession because they have wives to carry out all the household management needed to make their homes work well,” White says.
“If it hadn’t been for my husband, Deacon Russell White, who encouraged me and supported me and managed for me, there’s no way I would have been able to minister with the freedom I’ve enjoyed.”
There’s also the need for a strong support system, one that can be trusted and depended upon for honest interaction.
“You need persons who are walking with you. You need persons to encourage you. You need persons who will challenge you and persons who will correct you. And you need persons who will look up to you. And you need a mentor,” White says.
Women in ministry often encounter subtle sexism, such as being asked to meet with church officials before an invitation to preach is extended. And gender bias isn’t just perpetuated by men. It “often comes from the women in the church,” she says.
Due to internalized sexism, sometimes “Women do not see women as being capable of being pastors and bishops and leaders,” White says.
White says that women in ministry also have to navigate situations their male peers don’t usually have to consider — like coming under scrutiny for what you’re wearing.
Sister In Ministry holds regular workshops to support women dealing with gender imbalances and ensure they are equipped with practical tips to level the playing field.
“And we heartily encourage our sisters to hear the uniqueness of their call,” White says. “Everyone is not called to pulpit ministry. Everyone is called to a ministry, but not everyone is called to pulpit ministry.”