Helsinki, Finland | August 3-4, 2018
CBE International’s 2018 conference theme was “Created for Partnership,” and was hosted by RaTas (Christians for Equality), in partnership with CBE International.
Why Finland?
While Finland has a reputation as a world leader in gender equality, the story is different inside Finland’s evangelical churches. A small but influential minority claiming to represent “true” biblical Christianity promotes male-only leadership and patriarchal gender roles in churches throughout the country. This is crippling the advancement of the gospel in this mostly secular country.
In the words of Eeva Sallinen Simard, “Finland is one of the most gender-equal societies in the world, but I had the same experience with gender roles in the evangelical church in Finland that I later had in a US evangelical church. Women are still pressed to the sidelines of the evangelical church, no matter how egalitarian the surrounding secular culture.”
Read her inspiring story, “From Secret Egalitarian to Fierce Advocate” on CBE’s blog.
“Created for Partnership” is based on Genesis 1:27
“So God created mankind in his own image,
in the image of God he created them;
male and female he created them.”
Presentations and Workshops
Our lineup of speakers included pastors, authors, professors, and social justice advocates from around the world. Watch and listen to sessions here.
Discussions and Networking Opportunities
Attendees shared ideas and questions with speakers, authors, pastors and mission leaders on topics ranging from equality in missions, the spiritual leadership of women, pastoral leadership, biblical scholarship, and much more.
