Edumania-An International Multidisciplinary Journal
Vol-03, Issue-3 (Jul-Sep 2025)
An International scholarly/ academic journal, peer-reviewed/ refereed journal, ISSN : 2960-0006
Roles Of Theological Education in Enhancing Women Leadership in The Church
Ishola, Olufemi Jacob
Department of Administration and Leadership, Faculty of Education, The Nigerian Baptist Theological Seminary, Ogbomoso
DOI: https://doi.org/10.59231/edumania/9143
Page Numbers: 125–144
Subject: Religious Studies / Leadership / Education
Received: April 30, 2025
Accepted: June 15, 2025
Published: July 01, 2025
Thematic Classification: Theological Education, Women Leadership, Church Administration, Gender Barriers in Clergy, Inclusive Theology.
Abstract
The need to train and retrain leaders for the church cannot be overemphasized. One of the formal ways of achieving this is through theological training which has no preference for either male or female gender. Thus, it is imperative for a church which desires effective women participation in leadership positions to sponsor women in theological education, leading to a good exposure which will eventually enhance their leadership. The writer used both primary and secondary sources (Books, Journals, and Interview) to validate the argument pushed forward in this paper. Paper considers the nature of women in history and roles they have being playing in the church; discusses various formations taking place through theological education curriculum, and draws its implications on women leadership in the church. The findings showed that women have direct, indirect and mixed roles to play in the church. Ultimately, when women are maximally exposed to thorough theological education, it has the capacity to help them to accurately interpret the word of God and champion the leadership of Christian Education at the home front and in the church. Exposure of women to theological Education will also enhance ministerial counseling skills, makes them to development leadership skills, and assist them to balance family responsibility with ministerial demand. In the light of these, the writer recommends that women who have proven to be called of God should be encouraged and sponsored by the church for theological education; theological institutions should intensify their efforts towards giving women quality education like their male counterparts; women in church leadership positions should use their influence to enlighten more women on their real identity; theological institutions should make their admissions more flexible to women; and that theological institutions should also make their training to be more flexible for women.
Keywords: Theological Education, Women, Leadership, and Church
Impact Statement
Olufemi Jacob Ishola is a faculty member of the prestigious Nigerian Baptist Theological Seminary, Ogbomoso, and he holds Doctor of Philosophy, PhD in Administration and Leadership and facilitates Leadership and Spiritual Formation related courses and seminars at both undergraduate and post-graduate levels in the same institution. He’s also a Promoter of “Purpose Driven Life,” conceived by Rick Warren through conferences and outreaches for youth, teenagers, and primary school pupils. He further engages in volunteer ministry at Kersey Children Home (motherless home) in Ogbomoso, Oyo State, Nigeria.
About Author
Over the centuries, theological education has played vital roles in training men and women for the church and society. Even though men often times take larger percentage with regard to the population in theological education, yet the imperative of exposing women to this kind of training cannot be over emphasized. The argument of this article is based on the fact that few women who have been found to be genuinely called should be allowed to participate in theological education in order to make their leadership more effective just like their male counterpart. There is no gainsaying the fact that the time when women were relegated to the background has gone and can never come back due to the level of exposure of women and further advocacy for women liberation. Hence, specific women who have been called into church leadership roles and offices should be supported to earn theological education which is of no doubt would influence their productivities.
Cite this Article
APA 7th Edition: Ishola, O. J. (2025). Roles of theological education in enhancing women leadership in the church. Edumania-An International Multidisciplinary Journal, 3(3), 125–144. https://doi.org/10.59231/edumania/9143
MLA 9th Edition: Ishola, Olufemi Jacob. “Roles Of Theological Education in Enhancing Women Leadership in The Church.” Edumania-An International Multidisciplinary Journal, vol. 3, no. 3, 2025, pp. 125-144. doi:10.59231/edumania/9143.
Chicago 17th Edition: Ishola, Olufemi Jacob. 2025. “Roles Of Theological Education in Enhancing Women Leadership in The Church.” Edumania-An International Multidisciplinary Journal 3, no. 3: 125–144. https://doi.org/10.59231/edumania/9143.
Statements and Declarations
Peer-Review Method: This article underwent a double-blind peer-review process by two independent external reviewers with expertise in Theological Education and Organizational Leadership. This process ensures the scholarly quality and sociological validity of the research findings.
Competing Interests: The author, Olufemi Jacob Ishola, declares no potential conflicts of interest, financial or otherwise, that could have influenced the research or the conclusions regarding female leadership within the ecclesiastical context.
Funding: This research was conducted as an independent scholarly project at the Department of Administration and Leadership, Faculty of Education, The Nigerian Baptist Theological Seminary, Ogbomoso. No specific external grants or financial support were received for this work.
Data Availability: The study is based on qualitative interviews and historical analysis of theological curricula. Detailed findings and thematic structures are available from the author on reasonable request.
Licence: Roles Of Theological Education in Enhancing Women Leadership in The Church © 2025 by Olufemi Jacob Ishola is licensed under CC BY 4.0. This work is published by the International Council for Education Research and Training (ICERT).
Ethics Approval: This research follows the institutional ethical guidelines of the Department of Administration and Leadership, Faculty of Education, The Nigerian Baptist Theological Seminary, Ogbomoso. The study design ensures academic integrity and follows the ethical standards for qualitative research involving church stakeholders and clergy.
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