Why We’re Publishing "Soul Stories"

The Christian Church (Disciples of Christ), which Chalice Press has served for more than 115 years, has a rich history of supporting both women and people of color as they explore their calling and their leadership skills. The Disciples are currently led by Rev. Terri Hord Owens, the first Black woman to lead a mainline denomination, and more Black women leaders can be found leading regional and general ministries, higher education, and pulpits. 

Soul Stories: Wisdom and Leadership Strategies for Flourishing African American Women captures the moment of autobiographical stories from 11 of those leaders, and it marks a historic milestone of agency, truth-telling, and celebration within the Disciples and the broader landscape of theological leadership. At its core, Soul Stories ensures the voices, sacrifices, and leadership of Black women are fully documented and honored rather than overlooked or erased.

Historically, African American clergywomen have faced compounding challenges—navigating both gendered and racialized expectations within church hierarchies, predominantly white denominations, and secular institutions. As editor Dr. Charisse L. Gillett noted in her entry,

“Often for the sake of protocol or for the good of order, words are used to pretty up and cover over the pain and discord of professional and organizational challenges. These words are used in ways that are not helpful to solutions and progress. Our conversations are careful, curated, and sub rosa. They have been drysolong of helpful truths that the necessary healing, thriving, and flourishing for the upbuilding of God’s kin-dom is stymied and delayed. Indeed, my own healing, thriving, and flourishing was stymied by such conversations. I share all of this to be a resource for the next generation of African American women leaders, so I speak in my own voice and give witness to another chapter in the rest of my story. I hope my words will be received as water to seeds of truth and hope.”

Soul Stories breaks this silence by offering raw, honest testimonies of joy, grief, resilience, and institutional resistance, providing "water to seeds of truth and hope" for future generations.

Deeply rooted in communal support and mutual uplift, Soul Stories's road to publication began in 2018. seven African American female regional ministers formed the African American Female Regional Ministers (AARMS) support group. During a 2021 retreat, these women gathered to care for their personal flourishing and record their narratives. Recognizing the transformative power of their shared experiences, they expanded their circle to include additional leaders and committed to sharing their wisdom through this book. Contributors are Rev. Dr. A. Denise Bell; Rev. Dr. LaTaunya M. Bynum; Rev. Dr. Nadine Burton; Rev. Dr. Dara Cobb-Lewis; Rev. Dr. Monique Crain Spells; Rev. Joan Bell Haynes; Rev. Terri Hord Owens; Rev. Dr. Delesslyn A. Kennebrew; Rev. Dr. Charisse L. Gillett; Bishop Valerie Melvin; and Rev. Dr. Christal L. Williams.

The power and necessity of this book are vividly demonstrated through the individual narratives included in the manuscript, which detail the heavy tolls and triumphant victories of Black women in ministry. We see authors as little girls asking their elders challenging questions—questions that sometimes draw inspiring answers that play out over decades.

Just as each contributor is different, each story brings its own unique perspective on the road traveled to becoming a faith leader. But the stories also share the common thread of overcoming chauvinism, sexism, racism, marriage bias that resonate throughout the church and beyond. They are stories of prayer, reflection, and forgiveness, loving one’s self and community, and trusting that one's purpose is bigger than others' limited perceptions.

The book also serves an essential historical function in the African American Women Trailblazers section, compiling a list of more than 100 historical Disciples like Sarah Lue Bostick, the first African American woman ordained in the denomination in 1892, to modern leaders like Hord Owens. It’s a poignant reminder that Black women are central to church history.

I have witnessed firsthand the profound pride Gillett takes in this special section. During last June's gathering of the National Convocation, she eagerly sought out many of the women featured in the Trailblazers section to tell them “You’re in the book!” The radiant smile on Charisse's face reflected her deep motivation for telling the stories of these extraordinary women and her strong passion to honor those who paved the way. Witnessing this joy-filled moment in person is an experience that translates powerfully onto the page.

Ultimately, Soul Stories offers practical wisdom and spiritual grounding to emerging leaders. Framing leadership around spiritual formation, self-care, and the strength of community, Soul Stories testifies that despite every obstacle, African American women are created by God not merely to survive—they are created by God to flourish. Amen! 

Gratefully,
Brad Lyons