Judge dismisses Rev. Eboni Marshall Turman's gender discrimination lawsuit against Abyssinian Baptist Church
- IGMC Staff
- 2 days ago
- 2 min read
A recent ruling by a federal judge represents a major setback for women pursuing leadership positions in church.
The judge dismissed a gender discrimination lawsuit against Abyssinian Baptist Church by Rev. Eboni Marshall Turman, who was once a candidate to be the historic Harlem church’s senior pastor.
Rev. Turman had been the sole female finalists for the role.
In 2023, Rev. Eboni Turman, an associate professor at Yale Divinity School, filed a gender discrimination complaint.
However, a judge dismissed the case on the grounds of “ministerial exception,” under which religious institutions are given more latitude in personnel and administrative matters as it relates to gender. The judge's reasoning was extended to Abyssinian despite the fact the church had posted the disclaimer that it "shall not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, gender, age, or sexual orientation.”
The judge also dismissed Turman’s employment discrimination claim, saying the ministerial exception also applied to that claim.
The position of Senior Pastor at Abyssinian was ultimately given to Rev. Dr. Kevin R. Johnson. He, therefore, succeeds Pastor Calvin O. Butts, who passed in October 2022.
While Rev. Johnson is a powerhouse, anointed pastor, the premise by which the judge ruled represents a major setback for women seeking church leadership positions.
The "ministerial exception" premise ultimately allows for recognized religious institutions to explicitly preference male leaders just because of their gender.
While the dismissal officially ends the tug-a-way between Rev. Eboni Turman and Abyssinian Baptist Church, it remains to be seen if it will create additional barriers for women in ministry.
Please continue to pray for Rev. Eboni Marshall Thurman as she seeks to break down gender barriers in church.
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