Aspects of the experience of ordination by URCSA female ministers in the Western Cape

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.