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Research Purpose:
Three-year doctoral research initiative that sought to identify the contributing factors to the significant rise in attrition of Gen X and Millennial clergy women within mainline American Protestantism. Despite the longstanding history of women's ordination in these more progressive religious institutions, there is a pervasive and systemic process of scapegoating and executive derailment of young clergy women, particularly those who set healthy boundaries around their pastoral role.
Following an initial pilot study including narrative surveys of clergy women representing eight denominations, the second stage of research involved in-depth qualitative research using Grounded Theory Methodology. Through verbatim interviews and extensive cross-analysis, this research explored the impact of ingrained gender expectations, inter-generational conflict, systemic scapegoating practices, and denominational complacency, as it relates to clergy women boundaries and psychological safety.
Grounded Theory Methodology:
Grounded Theory is a highly rigorous qualitative research method as it prioritizes the lived experiences of research participants through in-depth interviews and line-by-line analysis. This methodology re-centers voices that have been historically silenced, marginalized, or misappropriated in earlier research methods and has the capacity to provide new social theory that deconstructs oppressive social narratives. As a feminist researcher, this aligns with my desire to address harmful gender narratives and generational trauma as it relates to the inter-personal boundaries and psychological safety of GenX-Millennial women leaders.
Research Goals:
Specific Areas of Inquiry:
Research Funding Generously Provided By:
Press Coverage (click to view):
Three-year doctoral research initiative that sought to identify the contributing factors to the significant rise in attrition of Gen X and Millennial clergy women within mainline American Protestantism. Despite the longstanding history of women's ordination in these more progressive religious institutions, there is a pervasive and systemic process of scapegoating and executive derailment of young clergy women, particularly those who set healthy boundaries around their pastoral role.
Following an initial pilot study including narrative surveys of clergy women representing eight denominations, the second stage of research involved in-depth qualitative research using Grounded Theory Methodology. Through verbatim interviews and extensive cross-analysis, this research explored the impact of ingrained gender expectations, inter-generational conflict, systemic scapegoating practices, and denominational complacency, as it relates to clergy women boundaries and psychological safety.
Grounded Theory Methodology:
Grounded Theory is a highly rigorous qualitative research method as it prioritizes the lived experiences of research participants through in-depth interviews and line-by-line analysis. This methodology re-centers voices that have been historically silenced, marginalized, or misappropriated in earlier research methods and has the capacity to provide new social theory that deconstructs oppressive social narratives. As a feminist researcher, this aligns with my desire to address harmful gender narratives and generational trauma as it relates to the inter-personal boundaries and psychological safety of GenX-Millennial women leaders.
Research Goals:
- Gain greater understanding of the lived experiences of Gen X and Millennial Protestant clergy women
- Build pathways of advocacy for young clergy women as they navigate local congregations and denominational governance
- Give voice to those who have left or are currently leaving active ministry as well as equipping currently serving clergy women to address oppressive social dynamics within their ministry contexts
Specific Areas of Inquiry:
- Boundary permeability and deep-rooted conflict within congregational life
- Physical and psychological safety of young clergy women at all levels of leadership
- Ingrained gender expectations and enabling behaviors of parishioners
- Pathways for legal, financial and emotional support for targeted clergy women
- Trauma recovery and alternative career trajectories
Research Funding Generously Provided By:
- Antioch University, Elizabeth Holloway Grounded Theory Research Grant
- Antioch University, Founders' Award
- Synod of the Northeast, Innovation Grant Program
- Christian Feminism Today, Nancy Hardesty Memorial Scholarship
Press Coverage (click to view):
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Pathways for Connecting:
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