Cracking the stained glass ceiling: navigating gender and voice in the pulpit

Female preachers are making great strides within mainline congregations. However, gender still shows up as a distinct factor when women enter the pulpit to preach. This thesis explores the female preaching voice—how it is discovered, how it is perceived, how it can be nurtured and sustained. How exactly do people in the pews interpret women’s voices? Are there distinctions in the preaching voice that add or take away from the preaching event? And how does a woman called to proclaim the gospel tweak her preparation, content, and delivery to most effectively be heard?