“State of Clergywomen in the US: A Statistical Update,” published earlier this month, finds that clergywomen continue have grown from 2.3% of all clergy in the United States in 1960 to 20.7% in 2016. Such growth, however, has not been equal across all traditions.
Top Traditions
The denominations with the greatest percentage of clergywomen are
- Unitarian Universalist – 57%
- United Church of Christ – 50%
- Disciples of Christ – 40%
- Episcopal – 37%
- Evangelical Lutheran Church in America – 37%
- United Methodist – 29%
- Presbyterian Church USA – 29%
Best of the Best
A lot has changed in the last 40 years. Today, however, in only two traditions do women represent half of all clergy: Unitarian Universalist and United Church of Christ.
Within Unitarian Universalism
- 1977 – 6%
- 1994 – 30%
- 2017 – 57%
Within the United Church of Christ
- 1977 – 8%
- 1994 – 25%
- 2017 – 50%
Giving Thanks
I’ve served congregations affiliated with four of the top seven traditions, and been fortunate to serve with and learn from many clergywomen.
I’m especially thankful for the opportunity to have learned much from The Rev. Beverly Duncan and The Rev. Dr. Kathleen Kircher (pictured in this post) during our time together at Naples United Church of Christ. Notably Duncan’s background includes the UUA and UCC while Kircher’s is Episcopalian.
So What?
I’m hopeful that an increasing number of traditions will benefit from increases in clergywomen in the years ahead. At the same time, however, I’m concerned that the current political and religious climate may result in declines in traditions that have very limited opportunities for women today and in yet other traditions never moving forward to allow women to be ordained.
- Does your denomination/tradition/association/network afford men and women equal opportunities for pursuing ordained ministry? Explain.
- Why do you think the UUA and UCC stand alone as the only traditions where women represent at least half of all clergy?