Clergywomen may feel isolated not only by sexism in the church, but also by race, age, geography, theology, marital or parental status, sexual orientation, gender identity, physical disability, or mental illness. Overlapping or intersecting identities can exacerbate their vocational and social isolation. Their gifts to the church will be lost if isolation drives them out of ministry.

RevGalBlogPals is an ecumenical ministry founded in 2005 and has evolved from a blogging community of a few dozen to a wider online community of over 4000 members. Supportive friendships that began online encourage women whose ministry settings are lonely, depleting, even hostile. Some have become “in real life” friends; some active online-only participants also consider the relationships invaluable. The evidence for which works better or means more is anecdotal.

By a combination of digital information-gathering via survey, web chat, online video chats, and in-person focus groups, I would explore the nature of isolation, and the impact of intersectionality on social isolation, as experienced by women in ordained Christian ministry. The results would influence whether the focus of my organization's modest financial resources, future fundraising emphasis, and limited staff time would be applied to expanding digital connection, building greater face-to-face community, or continuing a combination of the two. The data gathered would also be valuable for the wider church, particularly for educators, judicatory officials, and pastors offering guidance to women entering local church ministry.