Although women have gained a stronger voice in the church, there's more to be done.  Statistics like these tell the story: While nearly 30 percent of active bishops are women, only 5 percent of our largest, most influential churches (1,000 + members) are led by women pastors.  Some churches will not even allow women to serve as ushers, much less hold decision-making roles.  Worse, 67 percent of United Methodist surveyed say they have experienced or witnessed sexual harassment in church settings. A few statistics indicating the status of women in the U.S. United Methodist Church: 19% of ordained elders are women 77% of ordained deacons are women 27% of district superintendents are women 17% of all bishops, active and retired, are women 7% of clergy serving as lead pastors of churches of 1,000 members or more are women >>read more

Statistical tables compiled by GCSRW Percentage of Women Superintendents on par with Clergywomen Statistics  >>more Only One-Fifth of U.S. Conference Leaders are Women >>more Clergywomen in local churches >>more A View of Racial/Ethnic Women in the Church >>more Women Aiming for National Agency Leadership Often Hit Glass Ceiling >>more Women Comprise Two-Thirds of General Agency Workforce -- But at What Level? >>more Racial/Ethnic Women Constitute One-Fourth of General Agency Workforce >>more One in Fiver General Agency Board Members is a Racial/Ethnic Woman >>more Conference Execs More Likely To Be Men, Clergy >>more Most Conference Committee Chairpersons Are Men >>more Seats for Female General Conference Delegates Hold Stead >>more A Snapshot of Delegates to the 2008 Jurisdictional Conference >>more Who's in the jurisdictional pool? >>more Does the jurisdictional pool proccess allow diverse, new leadership? >>more Who are the elected board members to United Methodist agencies? >>more UMC clergy in 2008 vs UMC clergy in 2003 >>more UMC Lay Membership in 2004-2008 >>more District Superintendents 2005 vs. 2010  >>more Directors of Connectional Ministries by Gender and Race >>more Annual Conference Treasurers, 2005 vs. 2009  >>more Economic Downturn's Impact On General Agency Employment  >>more Clergy and White Males Dominate Employment in Annual Conferences >>more Laywomen and Clergymen Form Basis of Leadership in North Central and Northeastern Jurisdictions >>more Laity Lack Position in Church Leadership >>more Clergy Hold Majority of Executive/Director Positions in Annual Conferences >>more