Barriers to Women’s Full Engagement in Church Ministry: A Case Study of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in Zimbabwe (ELCZ), Western Diocese

This paper examines impediments to the full participation of women in church ministry in the Evangelical Lutheran Church in Zimbabwe (ELCZ), Western Diocese. Although gender equality is being achieved, women still experience serious obstacles that restrict their involvement in leadership and ministry. The study cites obstacles such as institutionalized cultural norms that support male leadership, restrictive theological interpretations, insufficient access to education and training, and a lack of institutional support. Using qualitative analysis, this paper indicates the burning necessity of strategic interventions to empower women and enhance inclusivity in the church. Among the recommendations is revising church policies, leadership training of women, and dealing with cultural biases within the ELCZ, Western Diocese. The results, therefore, underline the significance of focusing on these obstacles to strengthen the spiritual and developmental life of the church and advance gender justice within the Western Diocese.

Challenges, Women, Church Ministry, ELCZ Western Diocese

1. Ackermann, D. M. (1996). Engaging freedom: A contextual feminist theology of praxis. Journal of Theology for Southern Africa, 94, 32–49. [Google Scholar] [Crossref]

2. Ackermann, D. M. (2006). From Mere Existence to Tenacious Endurance; Stigma HIV/AIDS and a Feminist Theology of Praxis. In I. A. Phiri and S. Nadar (eds.), African Women, Religion, and Health; Essays in Honor of Mercy Amba Ewudziwa Oduyoye. Pietermaritzburg: Cluster Publications, pp. 221-244. [Google Scholar] [Crossref]

3. Braun, V., and Clarke, V. (2006) “Using Thematic Analysis in Psychology.” Qualitative Research in Psychology, (vol. 3, no. 2, pp. 77-101). [Google Scholar] [Crossref]

4. Chanda, C. T., & Ngulube, L. (2024). Women in leadership: Examining barriers to women's advancement in leadership positions. Asian Journal of Advanced Research and Reports, 18(6), 273–290. https://doi.org/10.9734/ajarr/2024/v18i6671. [Google Scholar] [Crossref]

5. Chisale, S. S. (2020). Pastoral care and the spiritual wellbeing of African women in ministry. Verbum et Ecclesia, 41(1), 1–8. https://doi.org/10.4102/ve.v41i1.2044. [Google Scholar] [Crossref]

6. Chitando, E., & Chirongoma, S. (2012). Redemptive masculinities: Men, HIV, and religion. World Council of Churches Publications. [Google Scholar] [Crossref]

7. Chitando, E., and Biri, K. (2013). Faithful Men of a Faithful God? Masculinities in the Zimbabwe Assemblies of God Africa. Exchange. [Google Scholar] [Crossref]

8. Chitsike, K. (2011). The Role of Women in Zimbabwe’s Transition. In T. Murithi and A. Mawadza (eds.), Zimbabwe in Transition. Fanele/Jacana Media, pp. 159-190. [Google Scholar] [Crossref]

9. Creswell, J. W., & Poth, C. N. (2018). Qualitative inquiry and research design: Choosing among five approaches (4th ed.). SAGE Publications. [Google Scholar] [Crossref]

10. Gunda, M. R. (2010). The Bible and homosexuality in Zimbabwe: A socio-historical analysis of the political, cultural and Christian arguments in the homosexuality debate. University of Bamberg Press. [Google Scholar] [Crossref]

11. Dube, M. P. (2024). Church Women and Entrepreneurship: A Case Study of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in Zimbabwe, Western Diocese. In A. Chitando, E.Kamaara, and E. Chitando, Routledge Handbook of Contemporary African Women (pp. 16). Routledge. [Google Scholar] [Crossref]

12. Dube, M. W. (2003). The HIV and AIDS Bible: Selected essays. University of Scranton Press. [Google Scholar] [Crossref]

13. Jini, P. P. (2023). Challenges faced by women in church leadership: A multifaceted and intersectional map [Master’s thesis, University of Pretoria]. https://www.repository.up.ac.za/bitstreams/e07ccebf-084d-4610-a6c4-a853a753535f/download. [Google Scholar] [Crossref]

14. Kanyoro, M. R. A. (2002). Introducing feminist cultural hermeneutics: An African perspective. Sheffield Academic Press. [Google Scholar] [Crossref]

15. Kurian, G. T. (2011). Indigenous Churches. The Encyclopaedia of Christian Civilization. https://doi.org/10.1002/9780470670606.wbecc1584. [Google Scholar] [Crossref]

16. Moyo, E. (2021). Gender Inequality among Ministers in the Evangelical Lutheran Church in Zimbabwe (ELCZ): A Pastoral Womanist Critique of the Exclusion of Female Clergy from Top/Senior Leadership of the ELCZ, University of South Africa. [Google Scholar] [Crossref]

17. Moyo, M. (2023). The Emergence of Churches and Ministries Founded/led by Women in Zimbabwe, in M. Manyonganise, E. Chitando, and S. Chirongoma (eds.), Women, Religion and Leadership in Zimbabwe Volume 2: Engagement and Activism in Religious Institution, Switzerland: Springer Nature, 139-160. [Google Scholar] [Crossref]

18. Muyambo, A. (2023). Women’s Leadership in the Guta Ra Jehovha Church: Towards the Construction of ‘Soft Masculinities. In M. Manyonganise, E. Chitando, and S. Chirongoma (eds.), Women, Religion and Leadership in Zimbabwe Volume 2: Engagement and Activism in Religious Institution, Switzerland: Springer Nature, 103-182. [Google Scholar] [Crossref]

19. Nkomazana, F. (2005). “Gender Analysis of Bojale and Bogwera Initiation among Batswana.” Boleswa Journal of Theology, Religion and Philosophy, 1(1), 26-49. [Google Scholar] [Crossref]

20. Mwandayi, C. (2023). Religio-Cultural ‘Clamps’ on Female Leadership in Zimbabwe: Towards a Liberating Hermeneutic in Mainline Churches and African Initiated Churches (AICs). In M. Manyonganise, E. Chitando, and S. Chirongoma (eds.), Women, Religion and Leadership in Zimbabwe Volume 2: Engagement and Activism in Religious Institution, Switzerland: Springer Nature, 161-182. [Google Scholar] [Crossref]

21. Ngunjiri, F. W., & Christo-Baker, E. A. (2012). Breaking the stained glass ceiling: African women’s leadership in religious organizations. Journal of Pan African Studies, 5(2), 1–15. https://www.jpanafrican.org/docs/vol5no2/5.2Breaking.pdf. [Google Scholar] [Crossref]

22. Oduyoye, M. A. (2001). Introducing African women’s theology. Sheffield Academic Press. [Google Scholar] [Crossref]

23. Phiri, I. A. (2004). Women, Presbyterianism and patriarchy: Religious experience of Chewa women in Central Malawi. Cluster Publications. [Google Scholar] [Crossref]

24. Sande, N. (2017).” Faith and Equality: Rethinking Women in Leadership Positions in Pentecostalism. Journal of Gender and Religion in Africa, 23(1), 50-62 [Google Scholar] [Crossref]