Black women in black-led churches : a study of black women's contribution to the growth and development of black-led churches in Britain

Foster, Elaine F. (1990). Black women in black-led churches : a study of black women's contribution to the growth and development of black-led churches in Britain. University of Birmingham. M.Phil.

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Abstract

The existence of Black-led churches in Britain, owes much to the contributions of Black women. They have given tirelessly through evangelising and their prayers and fasting. The churches have been financed in the main by their tithes and offerings. The women have been faithful in their nurturing of their brothers and sisters. Very little of this has been recorded.

Women have also played their part in building communities, which have offered security to a people often alienated and oppressed by race, class and gender Inequalities. Ironically Black-led churches can also be oppressive, with their sexist structures. At the same time however, there are elements within them that could be termed incipiently liberational.

Liberation Theologies seem to offer a challenge and possible way forward for Black Women and Black-led churches in Britain. Can the patriarchal structures of the churches give way to a Womanist Theology, based on the experiences and realities of Black Women in Britain today?

Aim of the research
1, The work aimed to examine the role, past and present, of women in Black-led churches in Britain.
2. To evaluate the role of women within the total ministry of the churches.
3. To assess the relevance of liberation theologies to the position of women in these churches.

Scope of the work
In the main churches in and around Birmingham, but also related to churches in London, Leeds and Sheffield. Much of the work centred on the experiences of women in the New Testament Church of God, but also in the Church of God of Prophecy, the Wesleyeun Holiness Church, the Shilok Apostolic Church, Light and Life Mission, the United Church of God and the African Episcopalian Zion Church.

Methodology
I have used taped interviews with individuals, tapes of services, photographs, and literature produced by the churches. It is hoped that I have built as complete a picture as is possible in this work of the situation of women in Black-led churches in Britain.

N. B. The term Black-led is here used to describe churches with predominantly African-Caribbean membership. Some churches are organisationally and doctrinally linked to white American Pentecostal organisations.

Type of Work:

Thesis (Masters by Research > M.Phil.)

Award Type:

Masters by Research > M.Phil.

Supervisor(s):