A search committee accused of gender discrimination in its hiring process has selected a candidate for the senior pastor position at Abyssinian Baptist Church in New York City. Kevin R. Johnson, the founding pastor of Dare to Imagine Church in Philadelphia, has been recommended for the position pending approval from the congregation. The committee expressed confidence in Johnson’s ability to lead the historic church and uphold its legacy. The date for the congregation vote will be announced soon, according to a church spokesperson.
Abyssinian Baptist Church, known for its influential leaders such as Rev. Adam Clayton Powell Jr., has never had a female senior pastor. Johnson’s potential appointment would continue this trend. The church has been a spiritual hub for prominent figures in New York City, including Manhattan District Attorney Alvin Bragg. The position for senior pastor became vacant after the death of longtime leader Calvin O. Butts III in 2022. Johnson, who previously served as an intern and assistant pastor under Butts, has a strong connection to the church.
The selection process for the new senior pastor faced criticism for its length and lack of transparency. Rev. Eboni Marshall Turman, a candidate for the position and former assistant pastor under Butts, filed a lawsuit against the church and search committee for gender discrimination after not being named a finalist. Despite the legal dispute, Johnson was ultimately chosen for the role. Marshall Turman emphasized the congregation’s power to approve or reject the selection, highlighting the Baptist polity that empowers believers in the decision-making process.
Johnson, a Morehouse College graduate with a Master of Divinity degree from Union Theological Seminary and a Doctor of Education degree from Columbia University, founded Dare to Imagine Church after a controversial departure from Bright Hope Baptist Church in 2014. His background includes participation in the Martin Luther King, Jr. Chapel Assistants program at Morehouse College. While Johnson did not comment on his potential appointment at Abyssinian Baptist Church, he displayed emotion during a service at his current church.
The Associated Press’ religion coverage is supported through a collaboration with The Conversation US, with funding from Lilly Endowment Inc. The AP maintains editorial responsibility for the content. The congregation at Abyssinian Baptist Church will have the final say in approving Kevin R. Johnson as the new senior pastor. With the historical significance of the church and its role in the Black community, the decision holds importance for both the members and the broader community. Johnson’s leadership will be pivotal in continuing the church’s legacy and addressing any potential concerns regarding the selection process.
