Abstract:
I would like to draw attention to the experiences of ordained Coloured women in
South Africa, in particular those ministering to congregations in the Uniting Reformed
Church South Africa (URCSA) in the Western Cape.
Coloured female clergy in the URCSA family are seldom assigned positions of
authority in the church, which may blead to a disinterest in pursuing this line of
ministry. The main question is, what challenges do Coloured women face after their
ordination into the URCSA family?
The aim of this research study is to investigate the positive and negative experiences
of Coloured women clergy in the URCSA and to journey with them as they minister
in a male-dominated environment. The objective is to encourage more Coloured
women to consider ordination within this denomination.
So that reliable and truthful answers can be shared, interviews will be conducted with
an open-minded approach so and no pre-conceived perspectives are projected onto
the participants. Female clergy from multiple URCSA congregations across Western
Cape Province will be interviewed.
It is the responsibility of the church to provide pastoral care to ordained women
clergy suffering from marginalisation. They need to be given emotional support and
encouragement through counselling before undergoing ordination to prepare them
for the journey, and during the ordination process for a long-term effect.
