Early each year, CBE staff and editors compile a list of articles to be submitted for the Higher Goals and Awards of Excellence competitions hosted by the Evangelical Press Association (EPA), of which CBE’s publications are members. It is always a time to look back at the previous year’s articles to celebrate CBE’s amazing team of writers and determine the best contenders for the various categories available.
Running alongside some impressive and noteworthy competition, three of CBE’s writers received Higher Goals awards for their original work. Join us in congratulating Alison Gerber, Lark Kelsey, and Carrie Silveira for their award-winning CBE articles.
“Martha the Minister: A Sermon on Luke 10:38–11:42” by Alison Gerber
1st place, Student Writer of the Year
Alison Gerber’s article in the form of a sermon, “Martha the Minister: A Sermon on Luke 10:38–11:42,” originally appeared in CBE’s 2024 summer issue of Priscilla Papers (38.3), “Women at Work: Queens, Theologians, and Historians.” In this article, Alison profiles Martha not only as the sister of Mary and Lazarus, but also as a “minister” in her desire to serve Jesus. Alison reminds readers that “Jesus wants to love you.”
About the Author: Alison Gerber (MDiv, ThM in Preaching, Gordon-Conwell Theological Seminary) is currently a PhD in Preaching student at Baylor University, where she also coaches young preachers and teaches her own MDiv level class — “Empowering Preaching Women.” She is a former pastor, a mom, a wife, and is originally from Sydney, Australia.
“Argula Von Grumback: Speaking Truth to Power” by Lark Kelsey
2nd Place, Student Writer of the Year
Lark Kelsey’s article, “Argula Von Grumback: Speaking Truth to Power,” originally appeared in CBE’s 2024 autumn issue of Mutuality magazine (31.3), “Bullying in the Body: How Slander Divides the Church.” In this article, Lark takes a look at a contemporary of Martin Luther, Argula Von Grumbach, who stood up against the powers of the day and bore vicious attacks to become the first widely published female theologian.
About the Author: Lark Kelsey holds an MA in Theological Studies and ThM from Gordon-Conwell Theological Seminary. Her next educational goal is a PhD program to research spiritual trauma. She currently works as a teaching assistant and writes online at www.LarkTheoSis.com.
“A ‘Plain Reading of Scripture’” by Carrie Silveira
3rd place, Editorial
Carrie Silveira’s article, “A ‘Plain Reading of Scripture’” originally appeared in CBE’s 2024 summer issue of Mutuality magazine (31. 2), “Lost in Translation: How Understanding Translation Helps Us Understand the Bible.” While opponents to women’s biblical equality will say Scripture is being twisted, Carrie writes, “In fact, the opposite is true. It is precisely because of our very high view of Scripture and its authority that we believe in the biblical equality of women and men. In both our name and throughout our work, we intentionally use the phrase “biblical equality” in part to highlight that the source for our beliefs on this issue is the Bible.”
About the Author: Carrie Silveira is a graduate of Gordon-Conwell Theological Seminary with a dual Master of Arts in Christian Thought and Biblical Studies, as well as a Bachelor of Arts in Philosophy from Gordon College. She has nearly ten years of experience in Christian publishing and is thrilled to serve as consulting editor for CBE’s Mutuality Magazine.
How to Submit an Article for Publication to CBE
Do you wish to put “pen to paper” and submit an article to CBE for publication? We receive dozens of articles from diverse writers from around the world, including articles written in other languages. If you wish to make a submission for Mutuality, CBE’s award-winning blog and magazine, you can email your article any time of year as an attachment to mutuality@cbeinternational.org. We are also currently accepting submissions for our annual blog writing contest, and Mutuality magazine accepts articles for upcoming themes.
If you wish to make a submission for Priscilla Papers, CBE’s award-winning academic journal, you can email your article or pitch as an attachment to editor.priscillapapers@gmail.com and priscillapaperseditor@gmail.com.
All articles published on CBE’s website may be considered for entry into EPA’s writing competition.