HDR Candidate: Tam, Susan


Title of Project The Lived Experiences of Women in Leadership in the Pentecostal Assemblies of Canada
Course of Study Doctor of Philosophy
Language of Instruction English
Abstract

To the outsider, the messages about women in leadership throughout the history of the Pentecostal Assemblies of Canada (PAOC) would be, at best, confusing. In the early days, everyone was encouraged to preach the gospel, given the imminent return of Christ. As time passed and culture changed, women were relegated to the private sphere. By the end of the 20th century, the constitutional right for the ordination of men and women was finally on par, yet, the percentage of women in senior leadership roles currently hovers around 5%. This study will interview women in leadership roles in the PAOC and explore the impact of oppressive ideas and behaviours that impeded their leadership development. The research will investigate their experiences, responses, and actions. A qualitative analysis should give rise to several themes that will generate data to answer the research question of how women in the PAOC have deconstructed oppressive practices and ideas and reconstructed new approaches to overcome barriers to leadership.