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 Left click to open or right click to save.  Require Adobe Acrobat or compatible PDF reader. 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