History | Statement of Faith |  Board of Directors | Board of Reference | Endorsements

What Is CBE? Christians for Biblical Equality is a nonprofit organization of Christian men and women who believe that the Bible, properly interpreted, teaches the fundamental equality of men and women of all racial and ethnic groups, all economic classes, and all age groups, based on the teachings of Scriptures such as Galatians 3:28

Injustice is an abuse of power, taking from others what God has given them: their dignity, their freedom, their resources and even their very lives. CBE also recognizes that prohibiting individuals from exercising their God-given gifts to further his kingdom constitutes injustice in a form that impoverishes the body of Christ and its ministry in the world at large. CBE accepts the call to be part of God’s mission in opposing injustice as required in Scriptures such as Micah 6:8.

I.  WHERE WE'VE COME FROM
The headlines of the Fall 1987 issue of Priscilla Papers announced New Organization Incorporated. The actual date was August 28, 1987. The name of the organization was Men, Women and God: Christians for Biblical Equality.” At that time it was affiliated with Men, Women and God, International, based at the London Institute for Contemporary Christianity. (In time the name was shortened to Christians for Biblical Equality when the group was incorporated in Minnesota as a non-profit 501(c)(3) organization on January 2, 1988.)

Initially this group was made up of members of the Minnesota Chapter of the Evangelical Women’s Caucus. They had withdrawn from EWC after the 1986 conference in Fresno, Calif., when EWC was moving in a direction these members perceived as unbiblical. But equality is biblical, and the need for communicating this truth led to the formation of a new organization, growing out of Catherine Kroeger’s contact with Men, Women, and God in London.

The Minnesota group issued a nationwide invitation to attend a two-day conference in St. Paul, Minn., in March 1987, to determine the interest and feasibility of establishing a new organization. At the close of the conference, 22 people from throughout the United States were invited to join the first steering committee, and many from that group convened at the Brewster, Massachusetts, home of Catherine and Richard Kroeger in August 1987. This group determined that a national organization was needed to provide education, support and leadership about biblical equality.

The group in Massachusetts formulated a Mission Statement, a Faith Statement and a Constitution. They also elected the first board of directors, comprised of three men and six women.

CBE’s first major project was the creation of a statement on "Men, Women, and Biblical Equality" which laid out the biblical rationale for equality as well as its application in the community of believers and the family. The authors, Gilbert Bilezikian, W. Ward Gasque, Stanley Gundry, Gretchen Gaebelein Hull, Catherine Clark Kroeger, Jo Anne Lyon, and Roger Nicole, were joined by a host of other signers who also wished to align themselves with these views. It was presented at the first CBE international conference in St. Paul, July 20-23, 1989, attended by over 300. In 1990 it was published widely in such national forums as Christianity Today and Leadership. This generated much interest in the form of new CBE members as well as in the form of theological attacks. Eventually this opposition grew into an organization known as the Council of Biblical Manhood and Womanhood.

Individuals were also subject to attacks. This was acknowledged with the establishment of the Priscilla and Aquila Award. It is given to someone who has taken great risk or given great effort to promote biblical equality. Some of the recipients have been:

• David Clowney, who resigned his teaching post at Westminster Seminary because he could no longer subscribe to a position denying women equality and freedom in ministry.
• Al Schmidt, formerly professor at Concordia Seminary, St. Louis.
• George & Emily Walther left their home and work to found an organization where they could freely teach biblical equality.
• Ralph & Judith Kee faced ostracism by some in their denomination because they upheld the right of a woman to be ordained and participated in the ordination of a qualified woman.
• Pat and Stan Gundry. Stan was formerly a professor at Moody Bible Institute.
• Lorraine Anderson, pastor within the Conservative Baptists denomination.
• Barbara and Dan Gentry Kent. Dan chose early retirement from his teaching post at Southwestern Seminary when he could not subscribe to the Southern Baptist position on the subordination of women.
• Alvera Mickelsen and Catherine and Richard Kroeger, who had been driving forces of CBE since its inception.
• Gretchen Gaebelein Hull, editor of Priscilla Papers from 1989 to 2000.
• Joe and Audra Trull. Joe opted for early retirement from his teaching position at New Orleans Baptist Seminary when he could not subscribe to the Southern Baptist position on the subordination of women.
• Alan Brehm was forced to resign from his teaching post at Southwestern Seminary when he refused to sign the amended Baptist Faith and Message Statement including a statement on the role of women.
• Sarah Francis Anders, Molly Marshall, Carolyn Clampett, Donna Forrester, Dellana O’Brien, Mary Alice Seals, Nancy Hastings Sehested and Lynn Williams, all formerly with the Southern Baptist Convention.
• Ruth Bolyard, for initiating CBE’s international chapter ministry.
• Susan McCoubrie for her heroic efforts, particularly during the early years of CBE.
• Patrick R. & Carolyn Anderson, Carolyn W. & J. Joseph Crumpler, Ron & Lydia Hankins and Diana & David Garland, formerly with the Southern Baptist Convention.

In 1989 CBE became a member of the National Association of Evangelicals. By 1991 over 1500 joined CBE with over 4,000 on our database.

The office, which had been located in Susan McCoubrie’s home, was moved to Inver Grove Heights, Minn., in 1990. It is now located at 122 W. Franklin Ave, Minneapolis, Minn.

LEADERSHIP
Catherine Clark Kroeger served as the first President of the organization, and Alvera Mickelsen served as the first chair of the board of directors. In 1995 Kroeger resigned as President and in 1996 Virginia Patterson became board chair and Catherine Kroeger became President Emerita.

With Catherine Kroeger’s retirement as President, the need for a full-time leader was met in the person of Mimi Haddad. Haddad had helped start CBE chapters across the country and she had served as Development Committee chair on the board of directors. She was persuaded to move to Minneapolis in 1997 to head the organization as Director of Development and Public Relations. In 1998 she became Executive Director. She was named CBE President at the 2001 conference in Dallas. Dr. Mimi Haddad is a graduate of the University of Colorado, Boulder, CO, New College Berkeley, and Gordon Conwell Theological Seminary (Summa Cum Laude). She holds a Ph.D. in Historical Theology, from the University of Durham, England.

The board meets twice a year. It is made up of business people, counselors, authors, educators, theologians, and those involved in other types of full-time ministry. These volunteers serve three-year terms, which can be renewed once. Then they must rotate off the board.

As the organization has matured, the role of the board has also evolved. Rather than being involved in a hands-on capacity, the board has become a policy-making board. The fulfillment of the strategic plans and the administration of the organization are done by the staff.

II.   WHO WE ARE

The main marketing tool in the early days of CBE was word-of-mouth. And the organization grew, particularly after the publication of the statement "Men, Women, and Biblical Equality,” in Christianity Today. This statement has been translated and disseminated into 24 languages.

Now a more intentional marketing program, using strategic media, is designed to keep membership growing.

There are three membership tracks — individual, chapter and church. CBE chapters provide support and grassroots outreach and education in a variety of locations across the country and the world. Their programming varies according to local needs and interests.

Churches serve as egalitarian havens for those who wish to worship and serve without gender discrimination.

Individual members demonstrate their commitment to equality through their annual membership dues. Their benefits include reduced rates at CBE's book service Equality Depot, and at the conferences. Membership fees also include subscriptions to Mutuality and Priscilla Papers, each published quarterly

Primarily CBE is funded through contributions. A program of direct mail and personal contact focuses on gifts from individuals and church budgets. Many in-kind gifts have also contributed significantly to the operation of the organization, especially in the technical realm.

Other operating income comes from CBE's book service Equality Depot and from the conferences.

Click here to see a recent History of Income and Expenses

III.   WHAT WE DO

COMMUNICATION

A key publication of CBE is a scholarly , award-winning journal, Priscilla Papers. It was originally published by Catherine and Richard Kroeger as an extension of a study center in their home. Gretchen Gaebelein Hull became the editor in 1989. Carol Thiessen, formerly an editor of Christianity Today, succeeded her in 2000. Carol Thiessen passed away on May 28th, 2003. Dr. Bill Spencer is the current editor of Priscilla Papers. The journal includes scholarly research as well as inspirational material and book reviews, and has received eight Higher Goals Awards from the Evangelical Press Association.

Mutuality magazine is the popular, award-winning voice of Christians for Biblical Equality, providing inspiration, encouragement, and information on topics related to a biblical view of mutuality between men and women in the church, home, and world. The quarterly magazine includes first-person accounts, articles, book reviews, and news of CBE, and has received three Higher Goals Awards from the Evangelical Press Association.

E-Quality is the online voice of Christians for Biblical Equality, providing a range of popular and academic information useful for exploring the biblical view of gender equality and justice in the church, home, and world. E-Quality is available at no cost and provides information on biblical equality for subscribers and visitors to CBE's website.

The CBE Scroll is our blog and promotes sincere, intelligent discussion regarding how the biblical basis for gift-based rather than gender-based service influences daily lives, faithful ministries, and global perspectives. It provides a gracious environment that emphasizes positive research and reflection rather than negative reactions to others. The CBE Scroll informs a variety of audiences about the message of biblical equality and how God is using it to change the world.

Many academic institutions and churches subscribe to Priscilla Papers and Mutuality. For more information on CBE's publications Click here.

RESOURCE MINISTRY: CBE's book service Equality Depot

CBE produces and distributes information that offers a scriptural basis for biblical equality. The annual catalog continues to grow and book service sales are a key component of CBE’s income. Our online bookstore now offers more than 180 titles. Click here for more information.

WEB SITE

Daily, people find CBE through the Web site http://www.cbeinternational.org. These contacts lead to book service sales and membership.

CONFERENCES

From the beginning, a major facet of the CBE ministry has been national conferences. These three-day events, consisting of plenary sessions and workshops, have been a significant means of inspiration and education. Conferences have been well attended, and the programs consistently receive high marks for the quality of the speakers and their presentations. They have also been a means of bringing visibility to the organization and of generating new members.

The international conferences have been held in the following locations:
1989 - St. Paul, MN          "Serving Together: Women & Men, All Races & Economic Groups"
1991 - Winter Park, CO    "Your Sons and Daughters Shall Prophesy"
1993 - Wheaton, IL           "Toward a Future and a Hope"
1995 - Wenham, MA       "Empowered by the Word"
1997 - St. Paul, MN        "For Such a Time as This: Building Godly Relationships"
1999 - San Diego, CA    "A More Excellent Way: Reconciliation Through Christ"
2001 - Dallas, TX           "Equipping the Church, Empowering the Saints"
2003 - Orlando, FL         "Celebrating the Priesthood of All Believers: Serving Christ as an International Community"
2005 - St Davids, PA    "One Body, Many Gifts"
2007 - Denver, CO        "Seeking Justice and Loving Mercy"

In addition to the regular biennial conferences, CBE has also conducts topical conferences:
1994 - Chicago, IL             "Women, Abuse, and the Bible"
2000 - Minneapolis, MN    "Ordinary People, Extraordinary Marriages"
2002 - Portland, OR           "Marriage and the Family of God" 
2004 - Durham, England    "Men, Women and the Church: A Biblical Approach to Relationships"
2007 - Bangalore, India    CBE partnered with other Christian organizations to host: "Side by Side: Gender from a Christian Perspective: Men and women dependent on each other."
2008 - Toronto, Canada. July 18th-20th, "Sent to Preach the Gospel: Women and men using their gifts for the Great Commission." Romans 10:15

IV.    WHERE WE ARE GOING
In October 2000, the CBE Board of Directors adopted a first Strategic Plan, with the intent of reviewing that plan every three to five years. A second, five-year Strategic Plan was developed in 2006. Highlights include:

CORE VALUES
We believe that:

• The Bible teaches the equality of women and men.
• God has given each person gifts to be used for the good of Christ’s Kingdom.
• Christians are to develop and exercise their God-given gifts in home, church, and society.
• The Bible teaches that Christians are to oppose injustice.

MISSION STATEMENT
CBE equips believers by affirming the biblical truth about equality and justice. Thus all believers, without regard to gender, ethnicity, and class are free and encouraged to use their God-given gifts in families, ministries, and communities.

CORE PURPOSE
To communicate broadly the biblical truth that men and women are equally responsible to act justly and use their God-given gifts to further Christ’s kingdom.

ENVISIONED FUTURE
CBE envisions a future where all believers will be encouraged to exercise their gifts for God’s glory and missional purposes, with the full support of their Christian communities.

KEY RESULTS
To accomplish this plan, five key result areas have been adopted. Goal setting and specific activities each year will focus on these key results:

1) To promote egalitarian scholarship
2) To popularize the message
3) To produce greater market penetration
4) To establish a financially sound organization.
5) Articulate a theology of gender justice.

Why Join CBE? By joining CBE, you stand with Christians around the world who promote the biblical truth of equality as a community. CBE serves its members by providing resources on what the Bible teaches about gender, as well as the scriptural mandates regarding the practice of justice. With your membership, you will receive Priscilla Papers, CBE's educational journal, and Mutuality, our popular journal. You will also receive discounts at our book store and international conferences. In addition, you will find further encouragement and information through local chapters and on our Web site, www.cbeinternational.org  

CBE members work together to promote biblical equality where they live, work, minister and worship. Membership is available to those who support CBE's Statement of Faith. Click here to learn more information about CBE membership.