“Not for my sake, but for the church”—Three female pioneers’ contributions to church leadership

Abstract

This study examines the contributions of three female pioneers to the leadership of the Evangelical Lutheran Church of Norway. This study presents an empirical analysis of the leadership contributions of the female leader of a faith-based organization, one of the first female Lutheran ministers, and the first female bishop, thereby contributing to a better understanding of female church leadership. The leadership role of these women can be characterized as symbolic change-making, as ideological, value-based, and relational community building. Despite resistance, the women were moved by their personal calling to assume a symbolic leadership role, embodying change in the church. They were reluctant to define a leadership position, but took steps toward a more inclusive and holistic church, infusing the organization with values such as compassion, equality, and justice, while fighting for social issues and working for outcasts. They displayed as well a relational and holistic orientation, building communities of sisterhood and family-oriented fellowship.