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by Rosalie S. Owens (Author)
Bishop Ida Bell Robinson, a strong African American woman, founded Mount Sinai Holy Church of America in 1924 as she was following the leading of the Lord to "go out on Mount Sinai and loose the women." The debate about whether or not women are qualified to participate in the ordained ministry is ongoing. It has raged for years and it has engaged some of the best minds in the Christian world from Biblical, historical, and theological perspectives. Today the number of women in leadership positions in religious organizations is on the rise. Many traditionally male-dominated denominations that once restricted women to ceremonial and supportive roles are loosening their restrictions regarding the ordination of females and are now ordaining women into pastorate positions, adding new dimensions to their organizations. There are four main descriptors for women who function as clergy: (1) women who hold credentials from their religious organization or denomination, (2) un-ordained women who serve within their churches or synagogues, many who serve with or succeed their husbands, (3) women who independently evangelize, and (4) women who "preach out" or found churches or new denominations on their own. This book focuses discussion on one woman who fits into the latter of these descriptions: Bishop Ida Bell Robinson founder of the Mount Sinai Holy Church of America, Inc. The Mount Sinai Holy Church of America, Inc. is one of the few Christian denominations in the world founded by an African American woman. In addition, it is the only one that retained seventy-seven continuous years of female leadership. Therefore, it provides a unique opportunity to study not only the effects of foundational female leadership but also the conditions that provide the context for its continuation. It is the author's belief that significant insights into the practices, procedures, and theories of organizational and strategic leadership are gained through a detailed study of the leadership of Bishop Ida Bell Robinson. This book also takes you on a journey with the Bishop, gives some insights into her charismatic inspirational personality, and corroborates what I prove to be the original recognition of the Authoritarian Servant Leadership style. Since the written sources about Bishop Robinson are brief, the book is written from first-hand experiences from people who ministered with her or sat under her tutelage. Also used were many privately reproduced, unpublished, or out-of-print materials from the private archives of her organization, most notably from the private collections of Bishops Joseph and Minerva Bell.
