FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
CONTACT: Mimi Haddad, President
Christians for Biblical Equality
Phone: 612-872-6898 Fax: 612-872-6891
cbe@cbeinternational.org
www.cbeinternational.org

MINNEAPOLIS – May 2007

Ron Sider Champions CBE’s Mission and 2007 Conference

Ron Sider, noted evangelical leader and founder of Evangelicals for Social Action, speaks forthrightly about his support for Christians for Biblical Equality (CBE). According to Sider, “Sensitivity to any injustice tends to open one up to seeing injustice in other places. Being passionate about overcoming economic and racial injustice is connected to being passionate about gender injustice.” While Sider works primarily with people who are in economic poverty, he repeatedly praises the significance of working for gender equality. “CBE’s mission is vital,” he argues, because “it is a tragedy that only half the body of Christ can use their gifts fully.”

For 20 years, CBE has advanced a biblical basis for gender equality and advocated for women to be free to exercise their gifts in the face of opposition that restricts leadership roles to men. Sider endorses the critical work of CBE, saying “Now is the time to live out the teachings of Scripture, that the Holy Spirit gifts individuals and does not discriminate on the basis of gender.” Sider will address gender and justice from a biblical perspective at CBE’s upcoming conference in Denver, Colorado.

Many other prominent evangelical leaders will join Sider to speak on gender justice at CBE’s 10th international conference in Denver, Colorado. Other conference speakers will bring fresh perspectives to current topics like the Trinity, marriage, abuse, historical patriarchy, and Christian ministry. The conference will offer four plenary speeches from Lidija Novakovic, Roger Olson, Christopher A. Hall, and Jeanne Porter. Attendees will also choose from twenty-one workshops relating to Bible and Theology, History, Relationships, Gender and Culture, and Justice.

The conference, scheduled for August 10-12, 2007, is themed, “Seeking Justice and Loving Mercy: Gender and Equality in the Bible and Our Culture.” Registration for this event is now open on CBE’s Web site (cbeinternational.org).

For more information about this conference and Ron Sider’s endorsement of CBE, contact Christians for Biblical Equality at (612) 872-6898 or visit CBE’s Web Site at www.cbeinternational.org.