Abstract
The involvement of women in leadership positions is still a contested issue at the global, African and local levels in most churches. Some churches have used selected biblical texts to bar women from assuming any leadership roles, whilst others have allowed them to assume leadership positions but up to a certain level. Since 1980, Zimbabwe has experienced a mixture of both positive and negative developments in the religious experiences of women in relation to their involvement in leadership roles. The Reformed Church in Zimbabwe (RCZ) has been caught up in this phenomenon. It is against that background that this chapter explores the extent to which women participate in leadership positions in the RCZ. This is unpacked through explicating the two unique phases which the aforementioned church has experienced. These are: the pioneering (1891–1983) and the liberal (1984–2020) periods. The chapter makes use of liberal feminism and theological lenses, whilst applying the phenomenological and historical methodologies in exploring women leadership roles in the RCZ. Furthermore, the chapter provides a trajectory of women leadership trends in the RCZ at congregation, presbytery and synod levels. The chapter postulates a positive shift in women’s participation in various leadership positions against the backdrop of the implementations of numerous gender redress instruments aimed at achieving gender equality between women and men in the church’s leadership structures.
Initially, the Reformed Church in Zimbabwe was called the Dutch Reformed Church. In 1977, it adopted the name African Reformed Church. Upon Zimbabwe’s attainment of independence in 1980, it adopted the name Reformed Church in Zimbabwe.
This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.
Access this chapter
Tax calculation will be finalised at checkout
Purchases are for personal use only
References
Bizili, S. (1991). Putting Women on the Agenda. Rowan Press.
Brueggemann, W. (1997). Theology of the Old Testament: Testimony, Dispute, Advocacy. Fortress Press.
Fiorenza, E. S. (1983). In Memory of Her: A Feminist Theological Reconstruction of Christian Origins. Crossroad.
Fredrick, M. (2003). Miss Jarius Speaks: Developments in African Feminist Theology. Exchange, 32(1), 68–76.
Gladson, J. A. (2017). Women in New Testament Epistles. www.religioustolerence.org/nfe^bibl.htm. Retrieved on 15 April 2020.
Haralambos, M., & Holborn, M. (2000). Sociology: Themes and Perspectives. HarperCollins Publishers.
Jewett, P. K. (1975). Man as Male and Female. Eerdmans.
Keener, C. S. (1992). Paul, Women and Wives. Marriage and Women Ministry in the Letters of Paul. Hendrikson Publishers.
Kolmar, W. K., & Bartkowski, F. (2005). Feminist Theory. A Reader. The McGraw Hill Companies.
Labeodan, H. A. (2016). Revisiting the Legacy of the Circle of Concerned African Women Theologians Today: A Lesson in Strength and Perseverance. Verbum et Ecclesia, 37(2), a1586. https://doi.org/10.4102/ve.v37i2.1586
Loades, A. (Ed.). (1990). Feminist Theology. A Reader. Westminster Knox Press.
Matope, N., et al. (2011). Introduction to Gender Studies: A Students’ Guide. Booklove Publishers.
Meena, R. (1992). Gender in Southern Africa: Conceptual and Theoretical Issues. Sapes.
Morgenster Mission Church Register. (1925). Masvingo. Morgenster Printing Press.
Murray Theological College Register. (2020). Morgenster Mission.
Mutumburanzou, A. R. (1999). A Historical Perspective on the Development of the Reformed Church in Zimbabwe. A dissertation presented for the Degree of Doctor of Theology at the University of Stellenbosch.
Nowell, A. (2017). Roles of Women in the Old Testament. www.laici.va/content/dam/laici/document/…/. Retrieved on 10 January 2020.
Pamushana Mission Church Register. (1930). Morgenster Printing Press.
Phiri, I. A., & Nadar, S. (2010). African Women Theologies. In B. D. Stinton (Ed.), African Theology on the Way: Current Conversations. SPCK.
Preagent, R. (1995). Engaging the New Testament: An Interdisciplinary Introduction. Fortress Press.
RCZ Constitution. (2010). Masvingo.
RCZ Rules and Regulations. (2010). Morgenster Printing Press.
RCZ Synod Minutes. (1980–1999). Synod Centre. Masvingo.
RCZ Synod Minutes. (1981). Morgenster Press. Masvingo.
RCZ Synod Minutes. (1981–2016). Masvingo.
RCZ Synodical Minutes. (2016). Morgenster Printing Press.
RCZ Synod Minutes. (2018). Masvingo.
Rutoro, R. (2007). Lay Leadership Development in the Reformed Church in Zimbabwe. A Dissertation presented for the Degree of Doctor of Theology at the University of Stellenbosch.
Scroggs, R. (1977). Paul for a New Day. Fortress Press.
Van der Merwe. (1981). From Mission field to Autonomous Church in Zimbabwe. NG Kerkboekhandel Transvaal.
Vischer, L. (Ed.). (1992). The Ministry of the Elders in the Reformed Church. Bene.
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Corresponding author
Editor information
Editors and Affiliations
Rights and permissions
Copyright information
© 2023 The Author(s), under exclusive license to Springer Nature Switzerland AG
About this chapter
Cite this chapter
Munamati, S. (2023). Women’s Leadership Roles in the Reformed Church in Zimbabwe (1891–2020). In: Manyonganise, M., Chitando, E., Chirongoma, S. (eds) Women, Religion and Leadership in Zimbabwe, Volume 2. Palgrave Studies in African Leadership. Palgrave Macmillan, Cham. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-031-24736-1_4
Download citation
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-031-24736-1_4
Published:
Publisher Name: Palgrave Macmillan, Cham
Print ISBN: 978-3-031-24735-4
Online ISBN: 978-3-031-24736-1
eBook Packages: Business and ManagementBusiness and Management (R0)