African American Female Clergy in Dual Clergy Marriage

African American Female Clergy in Dual Clergy Marriage by Demetra Keyanna-Michelle Hutchinson MPhil, Walden University, 2019 MTS, Wesley Theological Seminary, 2009 MA, Regent University, 2007 BA, Howard University, 1991 Dissertation Submitted in Partial Fulfillment of the Requirements for the Degree of Doctor of Philosophy Human Services Walden University March 2019 Abstract Burgeoning evidence has shown rapid growth of licensed and ordained female clergy within the Protestant church. Consequently, dual clergy couples have also increased in number. Research has suggested that African American female clergy have experienced greater challenges than male clergy in leadership roles in the church, including social isolation, sexism, and glass-ceiling barriers. Female clergy are also disproportionatelyBurgeoning evidence has shown rapid growth of licensed and ordained female clergy within the Protestant church. Consequently, dual clergy couples have also increased in number. Research has suggested that African American female clergy have experienced greater challenges than male clergy in leadership roles in the church, including social isolation, sexism, and glass-ceiling barriers. Female clergy are also disproportionately affected by mental and physical health complications including depression, obesity, and burnout. Guided by adult personal resilience theory and its tenets of determination, endurance, adaptability, and recuperability, this interpretive phenomenological study focused on exploring the lived experiences of 13 African American female clergy leaders married to male clergy leaders. African American female clergy, recruited through both purposeful and snowball sampling, through interviews shared their stories of living in a dual-clergy marriage. Using Colaizzi’s seven-step process of qualitative analysis and coding, two major themes of Resolve and Resilience, and four sub-themes including Barriers to the Church, Multiple Roles, Health and Wellness, and Adaptation were identified. Findings from this research expand the current body of knowledge on leadership and gender roles in the Protestant church, including the need for a greater understanding of the experiences of female clergy in male-dominated congregational and ministerial spaces. Implications for social change include opening conversations regarding the unique experiences of African American female clergy, supporting awareness of the social, mental and physical challenges of female clergy, and engaging in larger conversations about equal access in all areas of church leadership. African American Female Clergy in Dual Clergy Marriage by Demetra Keyanna-Michelle Hutchinson MPhil, Walden University, 2019 MTS, Wesley Theological Seminary, 2009 MA, Regent University, 2007 BA, Howard University, 1991 Dissertation Submitted in Partial Fulfillment of the Requirements for the Degree of Doctor of Philosophy Human Services Walden University March 2019 Dedication I dedicate this dissertation to my maternal grandmothers, Magdalene Scott (Mother) and Dorothy Smalls (Big Mamma); my husband, Rev. Dr. Louis J. Hutchinson, III; and my children, Naya and Louis Joshua. In addition, I dedicate this work to those in ministry charged with telling the “Good News” of my Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ! Acknowledgments With my hands held high in praise, I acknowledge my Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ, for walking me through this dissertation journey. On the many late nights and early mornings when I was sleepy, tired, and just plain weary, it was you, Lord, who gave me that second wind! I depended on Philippians 4:6-7, Philippians 4:13, and Ephesians 3:20 to remind myself that You were and continue to be with me! Next, I acknowledge my amazing husband and life partner, Rev. Dr. Louis J. Hutchinson, III. Thank you for being the best barista on this side of heaven. Starbucks has nothing on you! You prayed for me, encouraged me, and even pulled me away for short breaks from time to time to refresh me . Thank you! To my incredible children, Naya and Louis Joshua, IV! God gave me such phenomenal gifts when He gave me the two of you. I thank Naya for being my gatekeeper and for her encouragement and tenacity. I thank Louis Joshua for his continuously checking on what part of the dissertation I was working on and his out-loud prayers that I would finish the task at hand for that day and the full dissertation. I am grateful for my mother, who always encouraged me and prayed for me through this journey. You instilled in me early in life a confidence that continues to carry me through. I also thank my parents-in-law, Louis, II and Roberta, who also cheered me on through this process. To my entire circle of sisters and sister friends (Sister Pat, Sissy Karen, Sissy LaVonda, Carmonique, Montrese, Tracy W., Lady Nicole, Nicole B., Toi, Tylea, Deidre’, Libra, Hasha, Michel, Natoshka, Cyndra, Joyce, Regina, Tracy J.) who responded every time I sent forth a text message asking you to pray my strength through a difficult patch, thank you! Your love shined through and “got me through” when I had a rough day. To my friend and sister in Christ, Minister Quanita Favorite-Battle, thank you for your phone calls 2-3 times per week to check on me; you always spoke life into me. You called me Dr. Deme early, and in this I am so grateful that you used your words to speak those things that were not as though they were before the actual “Dr. Deme” became a reality. A special thank you to the 24Fifty Crew (Annetta Clark, Aundrea Harris, and Nicole Hayes) for the consistent, unwavering support you gave each and every week through the final 18 months of this journey. The constant encouragement coupled with accountability made all the difference in completing my doctoral goal. To Dr. Avon Hart-Johnson, thank you from the bottom of my heart for your wisdom and your direction. You continued to offer assistance and support from the day we met, and I am super grateful for your friendship and leadership! To my friend and sister, Dr. Elaine M. Barclay, thank you for being only a phone call away! You prayed and challenged me to push. You spoke life into me, and you offered to walk with me to the finish line. What an awesome blessing you continue to be in my life. And to my chairperson, Dr. Andrew Garland-Forshee, thank you seems inadequate for the guidance and direction you gave me throughout this process. I have heartfelt appreciation for your leadership and direction! You were truly a God-send, and I am so grateful for all you shared through this journey. To my dissertation committee, Dr. Barbara Benoliol and Dr. Garth den Heyer, I am eternally grateful for your willingness to share your knowledge and expertise with me to complete this awesome work. Dr. Benoliol, thank you for your confidence in me and for being a phenomenal role model. Both you and Dr. den Heyer are excellent examples of greatness in your fields and the best that Walden University provides to its budding students and professionals. Thank you from the bottom of my heart! I also thank participants who gave their time and attention to this research study. Your willingness to share your experiences is appreciated beyond measure. In addition, I am grateful for every organization and church that contributed to the success of this dissertation.