Emphasis Preaching Journal

Political theorists in ancient Greek culture held that qualities for community leadership were first and best developed through household leadership, for men and women alike. A temperate and just leader was one who had developed these skills through careful household management, often involving wise business acumen. In her late 40s, Leontine T. C. Kelly had been a certified lay speaker in her church for a dozen years when she experienced a call to ordained ministry. She had raised a family and established a career as a school teacher. In 1984 she was elected as a bishop in the United Methodist Church, the first Afro-
American woman bishop of a mainline denomination in the United States. Known as a wise bishop and gifted preacher, she continues to serve the church in her retirement. -- Kelly