Religion offers an interesting lens with which to study social change both from the place of implementation and sustainability as well as its impact on individuals and social systems. Linking social change and religion provides a fascinating paradox to study since religious traditions and texts often promote love, compassion, respect, and justice, while religious institutions can be bound by orthodoxy and dogma. This research is focused on liberation theology, a religious-based social change effort that has multiple expressions in a variety of contexts around the world. With its praxis orientation, liberation theology has provided its proponents a meaningful way to be in solidarity with poor and oppressed people in any context and situation. Yet, from an institutional perspective, liberation theology has been problematic in its use of Marxist-based critical analysis and its challenge to ensure primary allegiance to those who are powerless. These contradictions and ambiguities are not only theoretical in nature but also evident in the daily practice of those who hold fast to a liberation approach to their faith tradition.

Utilizing a modified grounded theory methodology, this study explored the experience of eight women engaged in Christian ministry in the United States who self-identified as working out of a liberation theological approach while still operating within a religious institution. Being both systematic and emergent, the modified grounded theory methodology provided a way to view the research topic from inside the worldview of the participants and gain an understanding of their personal history, their introduction to liberation theology, liberation theology’s impact on their ministry, as well as their engagement with religious institutions.