The World Communion of Reformed Churches (WCRC) has released its 2024 Gender Audit Report, “Reimagining Church Leadership: Gender Justice and the Imago Dei,” a comprehensive assessment of gender justice within its global family of churches.
Led by Minwoo Oh, WCRC’s coordinator for gender justice, and guided by a core group that includes Lilian Siwila, Rachel Tavernor, Hsiu Yin Chan, Rose Malowa and Gemma King, the report affirms the Communion’s longstanding commitment to dismantling gender-based injustice both within church structures and in wider society.
“The WCRC laments the injustices women face in communities, cultures and churches across the globe,” Oh said. “Gender justice is rooted in our belief that all people are created in the image of God and called to full participation in the life and ministry of the church.”
The Communion’s work on gender justice is grounded in decisions of past General Councils, including Accra 2004 and the 26th General Council in 2017, which led to the adoption of both a declaration of faith on women’s ordination and the Gender Justice Policy. While a number of member churches have long ordained women—including the Congregationalists in 1853 and the Cumberland Presbyterian Church in 1889—the report highlights that barriers remain in parts of the Communion.
A priority of the 2025 General Council will be supporting member churches that do not currently ordain women, in accordance with General Council Action 33.
What the Gender Audit Addresses
The audit is designed as both a diagnostic and transformative tool. It evaluates:
- How member churches speak about women in theology, policy and ecclesial language.
- The status and roles of women in church life, including ordination, leadership and pastoral ministry.
- Churches’ expectations of women leaders and the evolving vision of gender roles in ministry.
Using a mixed-methods approach informed by feminist theological perspectives, the audit gathered data between April 2024 and April 2025. The process included an online global survey, regional consultations and a review of existing documents and policies.
Why a Gender Audit?
At the heart of the initiative is the conviction that gender justice is essential to the Reformed identity and witness. The report emphasizes that transforming gender injustice is part of the church’s calling to reflect the Imago Dei—the image of God—and to embody the Body of Christ where all members are valued (Genesis 1:26–27; Romans 12:5; 1 Corinthians 12:12, 27).
“The Gender Audit is not only an assessment,” Oh said. “It is a transformative process intended to strengthen accountability, empower women and support churches in reimagining leadership rooted in justice, dignity and mutual respect.”
Download the Full Report
The Gender Audit 2024 Report is now available as a PDF on the resources page of the WCRC website.
