This book offers a fresh social scientific analysis of how theologically conservative male clergy respond to the ordination of women to the priesthood and their consecration as bishops within the Church of England. The question of women’s place in the formal structures of England’s Established Church remains contested. For many, to prevent women from occupying such offices is often understood to be a matter of inequality, whereas those who oppose their ordination see it as a matter of obedience to God’s will. Tensions have become heightened in a culture that increasingly promotes the rights of individuals who have historically been marginalised and that challenges traditional social roles. This volume explores the gender attitudes held by clergy in the Anglo-Catholic and evangelical traditions of the Church and considers how these gender attitudes shape the way they think about women’s ordination and how they interact with female colleagues. It also considers the contribution of a range of social phenomena to the formation of these gender attitudes. The author draws on and develops a variety of sociological and psychological theories that help to explain the processes that lead to the formation of clergy attitudes towards gender more broadly.

The growth of women's ordained ministry is one of the most remarkable and significant developments in the recent history of Christianity. This collection of essays brings together leading contributors from both academic and church contexts to explore Christian experiences of ordaining women in theological, sociological, historical and anthropological perspective. Key questions include: How have national, denominational and ecclesial cultures shaped the different ways in which women's ordination is debated and/or enacted? What differences have women's ordained ministry, and debates on women's ordination, made in various church contexts? What 'unfinished business' remains (in both congregational and wider ministry)? How have Christians variously conceived ordained ministry which includes both women and men? How do ordained women and men work together in practice? What have been the particular implications for female clergy? And for male clergy? What distinctive issues are raised by women's entry into senior ordained/leadership positions? How do episcopal and non-episcopal traditions differ in this?

A unique collection of personal stories by women from many denominations about the struggle for equality by women in the ministry and those still excluded from it. They tell of stereotyping, assumptions, tokenism, discrimination, trivialisation; abuse, isolation and the 'stained glass celling' created by the church's obsession with power, rank and position. This book makes clear the kinds of obstacles in the way of women and gives a glimpse of the faulty theology that underlies opposition to them. It highlights the challenge that women bring to existing church structures and offers hope for a truly all-inclusive, all-affirming and empowering ministry.

This work presents a consideration of the theological issues involved in the question of the ordination of women to the priesthood.

This book charts the aspirations of women towards priesthood and the resistance that they have encountered. It brings together a record of official documents and debates on the issue that takes place over the last two hundred years in the English Methodist Church, the Church of England, and the Roman Catholic Church. These debates are interpreted at a number of levels, and the author draws on sociology, history, biblical studies, theology, and psychoanalysis in the course of her presentation. In the author's view it is the patriarchalisation of ecclesiastical structures, and the subsequent theological and christological justification given over to this, which emerges as a recurring pattern in the debate. Dr Field-Bibb offers a feminist analysis of such resistance to the ordination of women, in an attempt to break down what she sees as the false consciousness engendered by the propagation of subversive symbols.

"Upon it's publication in 1975, Man As Male and Female, a study of Scripture in which Paul Jewett argues that man and woman are properly related only when they accept each other as equals, received much critical acclaim.Now, in The Ordination of Women, Jewett argues that on the basis of the Christian ideal of the partnership of the sexes, women ought to share fully with men the privileges and responsibilities of church ministry.

The politics of power in the church hinders the ordination of women today. Once ecclesiastical power is involved, ruling is also involved. Consequently, the altar has also become the throne, and this tempts men to suppress women. The author argues that Jesus refrained from using any gender-specific paradigms that would have excluded women from ritual leadership. (Christian)

2004 marked the tenth anniversary of the first ordinations of women to the priesthood in the Church of England. This independent and timely study explores the church’s experience of this first decade, drawing on the results of a large-scale questionnaire survey and extensive interviews with Anglican congregations and clergy. Key findings relate to:Patterns of support/opposition to women’s priesting amongst clergy and churchgoers; Perceptions of the impact of the decision to ordain women as priests over the first ten years; How women’s priestly ministry has been received in practice, and what are the key issues for the future.The report offers new evidence on the level of acceptance of women’s priestly ministry in the Church of England, identifies some of the main practical challenges in implementing the change, and suggests alternative ways of looking beyond the usual labelling of people into “supporters” and “opponents” of women’s priesting.

In July 2000, the General Synod of the Church of England passed a motion asking the House of Bishops to initiate further theological study on the episcopate, focusing on the issues that need to be addressed in preparation for the debate on women in the episcopate in the Church of England. This report is the result of that reflection. The report sets out as clearly and objectively as possible the options open to the Church of England in this matter and outlines the surrounding theological and practical issues. The report discusses: the background to the debate; the historical development of episcopacy; the parameters for a theologically responsible debate on women and the episcopate; the development of women's ministry; the timing - whether now is the right time to ordain women bishops; the theological and practical consequences of possible future options.

She Preached the Word offers a timely and comprehensive examination of support for women's ordination in America's congregations and the effect of female clergy on those in the pews. It is an essential contribution to our understanding of the intersection of gender, religion, and politics in contemporary American society.