Women Clergy Performance in Church of Christ in Africa, Kisumu Diocese

Abstract

This Thesis addressed the performance of women clergy in Church of Christ in Africa (CCA), Kisumu Diocese. Specifically, this study aimed at evaluating the perception of church elders on women clergy, assessed the challenges women clergy face within the church of Christ in Africa, and found out how the expectation of leading clergy and the congregation can affect the performance of the women clergy within CCA, Kisumu Diocese. The study used Descriptive survey design. The population of the study comprised of the church elders of the four churches in which women are the clergy. The sampling technique used was random sampling. A sample size of respondents involved in the survey included; church elders from each church headed by women priests, the four women priests, and the archbishop of CCA. Transformational Leadership Theory and the Conceptual Framework were used to identify the variables under study. Data was collected using questionnaires and interview schedules, and was analyzed descriptively. One of the findings of the study was that leadership performance of the women clergy in CCA was not effective due to mired impediments that face them. The study also found that high or low expectation of both clergy and her congregation affects the performance of the women clergy. It was recommended that proper training and frequent seminars and workshops were required to equip the women clergy with the skills required to effectively perform their duties; they required mentoring programs, maternity policy within CCA, and networking with other successful women clergy all over the world. Expectations from both from the clergy and the congregation should be communicated and frequently reviewed to make them realistic. Further research is required to investigate the gender disparity in top church leadership where decisions are made.