In the Easter story, women are the first to proclaim the resurrection – but churches today are still divided over female preachers

Women’s preaching is controversial in some Christian denominations – but key to the biblical story of Jesus’ resurrection.

By: Mary Foskett, Wake Forest University, The Conversation

Outlets: The Conversation

Published: March 20, 2026

Words: 1,345

Last Updated: 1 hour, 15 minutes ago

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By Mary Foskett, Wake Forest University

On Easter Sunday, festively decorated churches across the United States will be filled with worshippers eager to celebrate the most important day in the Christian year.

While some will attend services led by pastors who are women, the overwhelming majority of worshippers will not. Women constitute 23.7% of professional clergy in the U.S. and an increasing percentage of people earning graduate theology degrees. However, data from 2018-19 shows that …

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