Breaking Barriers, Equipping Teachers

Calvin Theological Seminary is amplifying important conversations about leadership, representation, and the formation of pastors who teach. Dr. Dorothy Jenkins, a recent D.Min. graduate of Calvin Theological Seminary, conducted dissertation research on Black women in pastoral ministry, offering a vision of a church shaped by inclusion, resilience, and preparation. 

Listening to the Journeys of Black Women Pastors

When Dorothy Jenkins began her doctor of ministry dissertation, she wanted to do more than write about leadership: she wanted to listen. A pastor herself, raised in a preacher’s family, Jenkins knew firsthand the challenges women face in ministry. But she wanted to hear directly from Black women serving in pastoral roles about their experiences of calling, resistance, and perseverance.

The stories they shared were deeply moving. One woman recalled approaching her pastor to share that she felt called to ministry, only to be told simply, “Go in peace.” Another described being given the title “evangelist” rather than “pastor,” because some church leaders could not accept women in full pastoral roles. 

“We were always breaking through barriers of something,” Jenkins reflected. These experiences, she said, often left women feeling marginalized or disrespected, especially in traditions that questioned whether God truly calls women to preach.

While Jenkins talked to women from a variety of denominations, it may be helpful to state that the CRCNA recognizes that there are two different perspectives and convictions on this issue, both of which honor the Scriptures as the infallible Word of God. All congregations in the CRCNA may allow women to serve in the office of minister, elder, deacon, or commissioned pastor. Classes may also, in keeping with their understanding of the biblical position on the role of women in ecclesiastical office, declare that women officebearers may not be delegated to their classis.

The women Jenkins spoke with shared their challenges, but they also testified to God’s faithfulness and to their own resilience. 

Jenkins identified three key themes that ran through nearly every story: faith, support, and opportunity. “You can’t do anything without having that faith in God,” she explained. For these women, faith in God’s call carried them through discouragement and rejection. Support often came from husbands, children, or unexpected mentors who encouraged them to persist. And opportunities – whether to teach, preach, find support, or attend a conference – were important and formative stepping stones. “Every aspect of ministry is a growth opportunity to continue to grow and develop,” Jenkins said.

For many, teaching was the first open door. Even when pulpits were closed to them, classrooms and Bible studies became places where their gifts could flourish. Jenkins noted that these teaching roles were more than consolation prizes; they became crucial leadership spaces where Black women could shape congregations and mentor others.

Preparing Teachers through the D.Min. Program

That emphasis on teaching connects directly with Calvin Seminary’s own doctor of ministry program. In a recent blog post, the seminary outlined how the D.Min. degree equips pastors for teaching ministry. Designed around contextual engagement, personalized learning, and rigorous study, the program forms leaders who can teach with both theological depth and practical wisdom.

For women, and especially for Black women, this preparation can be transformative, she said. Jenkins’s research revealed that one of the ongoing challenges for women in ministry is the lack of mentors and visible role models. A program that prepares women to teach, mentor, and lead does more than advance individual careers; it multiplies influence, ensuring that the next generation of pastors learns from diverse voices.

“Sometimes those barriers can make you want to turn back,” Jenkins said, reflecting on her own growth through the research. “But, on the other hand, sometimes the barriers make you say, ‘I’m going to keep on going because this is what God called me to do.’” She emphasized that leaders cannot do this work alone: “We need other people. And not just women, but men. Everybody needs to be on board, because we’re all going for the same goal, which is to lift up the name of Jesus.”

A Call to Grace and Unity

At the conclusion of her project, Jenkins was asked what word she had for the church. Her answer was simple but profound: grace. “We’ve got to have grace for one another, and be who God has called us to be. He didn’t call us to be divided,” she said. 

This call resonates with the goals of Calvin Seminary’s D.Min. program. By equipping pastors for teaching and leadership, the seminary not only prepares individuals for their own ministries but also shapes communities that reflect God’s inclusive vision. 

Together, Jenkins’s research and the seminary’s formation programs offer a vision of a strong, faithful church: one where barriers are acknowledged but not allowed to prevail, and where Black women are not only welcomed into ministry but also celebrated as pastors, teachers, and leaders.