Women in Christian leadership : an empirical study of "Youth With A Mission", Germany

• Main Author: Hornstra-Fuchs, Franziska Anna Sabine
• Other Authors: Kretzschmar, Louise
• Format: Others
• Language: en
• Published: 2009
• Subjects: Women; Youth with a mission; Evangelicals; Egalitarianism; Christian ethics; Leadership; Germany; Christians for Biblical equality; Christians for Biblical manhood and womanhood; Stereotypical gender roles; 200.82; Women in Christianity; Christian leadership; Women > Religious life
• Online Access: Hornstra-Fuchs, Franziska Anna Sabine (2009) Women in Christian leadership : an empirical study of "Youth With A Mission", Germany, University of South Africa, Pretoria, <http://hdl.handle.net/10500/2795>; http://hdl.handle.net/10500/2795

In formal statements, the international organization Youth With A Mission (YWAM) clearly endorses female leaders. In YWAM Germany, however, women are underrepresented in leadership positions. This dissertation seeks to explain this dearth, especially in terms of the role played by Scripture. By means of interviews with leaders in YWAM Germany, possible answers were explored. Surprising for an evangelical organization, the interpretation of Scripture proved not to be a significant factor. Other factors that emerged are church background, the lack of female role models, lower self-confidence of women, and the role of incumbent leadership. The latter appeared to be the most crucial factor, since incumbent leaders, mostly men, select and appoint new leaders. It is likely that in this they are influenced by stereotypical conceptions of the leader as male and inclined to prefer those like themselves. === Philosophy, Practical and Systematic Theology === M. Th. (Theological Ethics)