The Stained Glass Ceiling

The Stained Glass Ceiling

In a recent post, "A Face, A Voice," I gave you my personal version of "I Am Woman, Hear Me Roar." I said, "I am woman. Hear me sing and pray—and perhaps even preach. (God is an EOE.)" I want to talk a little more about that, particularly if any reader is considering Christian ministry as her calling. While it is true that God does not discriminate on the basis of gender, we cannot be so sure that some of His people do not!

In employment terms, "ceiling" refers to situations where upward advancement of a qualified individual in the organization is unfairly limited. The glass ceiling is transparent, that is, the barrier may not be immediately apparent but exists as unwritten/unofficial policy which is discriminatory in some way—most commonly against minorities and women, but also the disabled and older citizens. Specifically referring to career advancement for women, the term has been used for at least thirty years to describe their inability to make progress in what otherwise would have been a clear path to promotion.

The stained-glass ceiling, then, is the same concept expressed in religious communities, where women often have difficulty gaining a role in church leadership. In many church structures, women tend not to rise above a certain level of status or power if, in fact, it is possible at all. That level may be established by the tradition, doctrine, or "law" of the particular church group.

Official leadership, such as that for a whole denomination, is often at the leading edge of acceptance and change. At the level of the whole religious body, women may be permitted or possibly welcomed as teachers, deacons or other lay positions, and even ministers. That is not necessarily true for every local congregation of that organization. An example: Theoretically, the local group may believe women are capable of spiritual leadership; practically speaking, however, they do not want a female senior pastor.

In my Christian Ministry classes at our local university, there was a young woman whose intention was to prepare for pulpit ministry. Her attitude was, "God has called me. They'll have to let me preach." I felt sorry for her, knowing that she would probably face great disappointment. (Actually, she dropped out of the program.) There are "rules," written rules formed by governing boards of religious bodies, and unwritten rules that faith communities establish for themselves. Either of these could prove impossible to break through, so why break your heart?

If it becomes apparent that you will be limited in the "Donut Dunkers" denomination, perhaps you should consider affiliation with the "Fellowship of Coffee Cake Christians." We sometimes expect God to open the door for us, when we already have in mind exactly what door would be just right for us! God has people everywhere, and unlimited opportunities for service if we look in the right places. No ceiling—stained glass or any other kind—for Him!

Marjorie