E-Quality Spring 2005 Editor's Note

As CBE's first two theological interns, we are pleased to present the Spring 2005 Issue of E-Quality. We are grateful to be working with one another at CBE. Our journey together as undergraduate students has led both of us to passionately pursue the imperatives of equality, reconciliation, and sharing the Good News.

In this issue of E-Quality, we will focus on gender and evangelism. Historically, women have often persevered remarkable deeds in order to spread the gospel, but their stories may go untold and their opportunities may be restricted by cultural norms. We have selected three articles from a forthcoming book, The Lausanne Occasional Paper from Issue Group 24.

Each article addresses the issue of gender and evangelism in its own unique way: in history, in the Bible, and in major world cultures today. Alvera Mickelsen's article traces women's responses to God's work through the history of our faith, reaching as far back as the Old Testament. The article by Deborah Gill and Barbara Cavaness gives special attention to the biblical texts that deal with spiritual gifts and how these gifts equip us, women and men, for God's work. The third article, written by an impressive team of authors from around the world, addresses the impact of culture on women's opportunities for ministry in Africa, India, Venezuela, and the United States.

Kriss Erickson, a CBE member, contributed a book review of When God Says Go: The Amazing Journey of a Slave's Daughter, which relates to our theme of gender and evangelism. This remarkable book by Lorry Lutz, presents the story of a missionary to Liberia who realized God's calling transcended cultural and gender barriers. It is now available in our bookstore: http://www.equalitydepot.com for a special introductory price.

Read, also, profiles of remarkable women serving as missionaries and evangelists in the modern missionary era. This section is an excerpt from an article by Mimi Haddad that will also be published in The Lausanne Occasional Paper from Issue Group 24. And check out statistics of women's leadership across different denominations. We are also excited to share more about our 2005 International Conference coming up July 29-31. Visit our conference page on the website, just follow the link in this issue.

Peace and Grace,
James St. Peter and Alex Bearden
Editors and Theological Interns

Perhaps you would like to share your story with the readers of E-Quality. If you have an article you would like to submit for consideration, send it to cbe@cbeinternational.org. We also welcome any other feedback, comments, or suggestions you may have.