Introduction
Evangelist Latrice Ryan is one of many black women preachers within Pentecostalism, a religious tradition that traces its origins to the Azusa Street Revival of 1906. The Revival is noted for its interracial attendance with dominant narratives suggesting that historically Pentecostalism has valued both racial and gender egalitarianism (Alexander and Young 2009). Thus, scholarship focused on Pentecostalism typically hones in on the egalitarian aspect of this religious tradition, complicating the validity of this sentiment. As research from feminist religious scholar Lisa Stephenson demonstrates that early twentieth century Pentecostal publications and teachings promoted biblical notions of the inferiority of women to men. Yet, others …show more content…
Other characteristics of Pentecostalism are evangelism, spontaneity, direct communication with God and divine healing (Cooper 2011, Poloma and Green 2010). Additionally, Pentecostalism is defined by its mystical features of glossolalia (speaking in tongues), prophetic dreams, and being called or summoned by God to preach (Cooper 2011, Pitts 2012). Historically, these distinguishing factors have proved salient for Pentecostal women who desired to preach. For women utilized the religion’s mystical aspects, such as prophetic dreams and glossolalia – both considered accesses to the Holy Spirit – as proof that they have been “called” to preach (Alexander and Young 2009, Collier-Thomas 1997, Stephenson 2011). Thus, in Pentecostalism women claimed their own personal legitimate means to religious authority via the individualized aspect of communicating with God central to …show more content…
In her study on religious black women, Cheryl Townsend Gilkes discusses the historical community created within black churches, which consists of present traditions, a distinctive ethnic identity, and group consciousness. As black women have dedicated time, energy, and economic resources to create and maintain these traditions. Often teaching was a way for black women to continue and preserve these traditions, as they were able to use teaching as an alternative structure for authority, career opportunities, and the ability to influence. Thus, teaching cannot solely be understood as a process of gender segregation. Through teaching, black women were able to positively redefine themselves as educators, this was especially apparent when focusing on the Sanctified Church. As the church had the normative authority to change
Evangelist Latrice Ryan is one of many black women preachers within Pentecostalism, a religious tradition that traces its origins to the Azusa Street Revival of 1906. The Revival is noted for its interracial attendance with dominant narratives suggesting that historically Pentecostalism has valued both racial and gender egalitarianism (Alexander and Young 2009). Thus, scholarship focused on Pentecostalism typically hones in on the egalitarian aspect of this religious tradition, complicating the validity of this sentiment. As research from feminist religious scholar Lisa Stephenson demonstrates that early twentieth century Pentecostal publications and teachings promoted biblical notions of the inferiority of women to men. Yet, others …show more content…
Other characteristics of Pentecostalism are evangelism, spontaneity, direct communication with God and divine healing (Cooper 2011, Poloma and Green 2010). Additionally, Pentecostalism is defined by its mystical features of glossolalia (speaking in tongues), prophetic dreams, and being called or summoned by God to preach (Cooper 2011, Pitts 2012). Historically, these distinguishing factors have proved salient for Pentecostal women who desired to preach. For women utilized the religion’s mystical aspects, such as prophetic dreams and glossolalia – both considered accesses to the Holy Spirit – as proof that they have been “called” to preach (Alexander and Young 2009, Collier-Thomas 1997, Stephenson 2011). Thus, in Pentecostalism women claimed their own personal legitimate means to religious authority via the individualized aspect of communicating with God central to …show more content…
In her study on religious black women, Cheryl Townsend Gilkes discusses the historical community created within black churches, which consists of present traditions, a distinctive ethnic identity, and group consciousness. As black women have dedicated time, energy, and economic resources to create and maintain these traditions. Often teaching was a way for black women to continue and preserve these traditions, as they were able to use teaching as an alternative structure for authority, career opportunities, and the ability to influence. Thus, teaching cannot solely be understood as a process of gender segregation. Through teaching, black women were able to positively redefine themselves as educators, this was especially apparent when focusing on the Sanctified Church. As the church had the normative authority to change