PRESS RELEASE
CONTACT:
Mimi Haddad, President
Christians for Biblical Equality
(612) 872-6898
cbe@cbeinternational.org
www.cbeinternational.org

CBE finds the NAMB's decision incompatible with the Bible

The North American Mission Board's (NAMB) Feb. 4 decision to end the endorsement of women as military chaplains is troubling, says Mimi Haddad, president of Christians for Biblical Equality (CBE).

"The Southern Baptist Convention's endorsement of male-only leadership is contrary to the entire tenor of the Scriptures, both in general and in specifics," she says. "Women throughout the history of the church have served as leaders because God has gifted and called them. Consider Lottie Moon, a Southern Baptist missionary whose legacy has raised millions for a denomination that today would probably oppose her leadership."

The decision to cease endorsing women as chaplains is among a string of disturbing decisions made by the SBC since the 2000 adoption of a Baptist Faith and Message statement that limits the role of pastor to men. CBE believes that the Bible teaches that ministry should be endorsed along the lines of giftedness, rather than gender.

The Apostle Paul called many women his "co-workers in the gospel." From the pages of Scripture we learn that women were teachers, leaders, apostles, evangelists and house church planters. Priscilla is mentioned ahead of her husband in four of six references, and both Paul and Luke honor her in this way. She and her husband, Aquila, were responsible for planting house churches in Rome, Ephesus and Corinth. Priscilla, and her husband, taught Apollos, who was himself well versed in the Scriptures. CBE believes the Bible supports women pastors and teachers, and prays that the SBC will reconsider its interpretation of the Bible.

"The Southern Baptist Convention's attempt to eliminate female pastors relies on faulty interpretation of the Bible," says Haddad. "Scripture must interpret Scripture. The weight of Scripture supports the gifting and calling of men and women in all areas of ministry." The term pastor appears only once in the Bible in Ephesians 4:11, she notes, and that reference says nothing about gender.

Haddad will be presenting two workshops on women in church leadership at the upcoming Christian Ministries Convention, in Denver, Colo., Feb. 12-14.

Christians for Biblical Equality is a non-profit organization of Christian men and women from nearly 100 denominations 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. For a press kit or for more information on the organization and its conference, visit its Web site at http://www.cbeinternational.org or call 612-872-6898.