Beyond the Stained Glass Ceiling : Clergy Women in a Still-Patriarchal Church

Ordained but not empowered, women clergy still face pervasive patriarchy that forces them to merely survive instead of thriving. Beyond the Stained Glass Ceiling exposes this hidden reality, sharing powerful stories of women clergy navigating systemic sexism. It offers a bold, hopeful vision for dismantling harmful structures and creating a church where all can finally flourish. Despite being ordained for more than a century, women clergy in mainline Protestantism still face pervasive sexism and patriarchy, limiting their opportunities and relegating them to supporting roles instead of bold leadership. This systemic reality isn't merely an inconvenience; it actively hinders the church by costing it vital leadership and keeping it from living into a vision of justice, inclusion, and equity. Beyond the Stained Glass Ceiling exposes this ongoing problem using powerful stories of women clergy, grounded in feminist history and theological depth. It names the problem of patriarchy, defines concepts like "benevolent patriarchy"—where support is claimed but not fully enacted—and reveals why achieving ordination hasn’t yet been enough for true liberation. Gayeuski offers a bold vision for a truly feminist church and provides tangible hope for a future where all God's people can finally thrive.