Academic Affiliation: Union Theological Seminary in the City of New York
Title: Where Did Women Go? And Are They Coming Back? Post-Pandemic Exploration of Ministry Jobs
Abstract:
“In March 2020 the COVID-19 pandemic, and multiple related social pandemics, shut down or curtailed many aspects of life and work in the US. Globally more than 54 million women left the workforce to 1) care for children and families; 2) seek new work after jobs were deemed non-essential; 3) continue as essential laborers in stressful and underpaid conditions, disproportionately experienced by women of color (healthcare, food service, etc.). The multi-pronged crisis also impacted the church and other ministry settings. Women left the ministry labor force in substantial numbers. By 2023 women returned to the global workforce in slightly higher levels than March 2020. However, it remains a question: Did women return to congregational leadership, chaplaincy, and ministry-related work? As part of the State of Women and Queer Clergy (2026), this presentation examines where and how women left ministry in 2020 and if or when they will return.”