Advocating for Women’s Leadership at the Evangelical Theological Society
One of CBE’s significant outreach efforts is the influential Evangelical Theological Society (ETS). ETS exercises far-reaching influence over the next generation of theologians, academics, and Bible translators who shape Christian thought and policies in Christian communities worldwide.
Each year, at the ETS conferences:
- CBE’s president reads a paper or moderates a panel.
- CBE co-hosts a scholar’s meal with IVP Academic to promote new egalitarian books.
- CBE’s team staffs an exhibit booth loaded with egalitarian books, journals, and free CBE resources.
- ETS attendees receive a digital copy of the Priscilla Papers’ Autumn issue.
ETS has over 4,230 members worldwide, but just over 6 percent are women. CBE’s ETS outreach is crucial, strategic, and has impact!
CBE and our partners have made gains, including:
- ETS has hosted ground-breaking lectures challenging patriarchal theology.
- Two ETS leaders recanted flawed theology used to exclude women.
- After CBE exposed poor treatment of women, an ETS president publicly apologized and created pathways for more women’s voices at ETS.
- ETS now formally supports the Women’s Community to strengthen collegial relationships in an otherwise male-dominated environment.
- Ballots have replaced show-of-hands voting to protect those who vote for egalitarian leaders.
- Women presenting plenary papers is now common.
- Women were voted onto the nominating committee and beyond.
- Women have gained highest levels of leadership as plenary speakers and as study section leaders.
- Dr. Dorian Coover-Cox is the first woman editor overseeing JETS—the Journal of the Evangelical Theological Society.
Even more, Dr. Karen Jobes is the first woman to serve as president of ETS! It was thrilling to hear the first presidential lecture by a woman—Dr. Jobes. At the 2024 ETS convention, more than one hundred papers were presented by women scholars. The ETS reception for women was so large, we barely fit into our meeting space. Evangelical publishing houses are eager to partner with CBE and women of ETS. But there is more work to do because . . .
These advancements face resistance, as some remain determined to advocate for male leadership at ETS. CBE asks you to join hands with us to continue egalitarian activism at ETS. Here’s how you can help:
Through multilayered strategies, CBE will engage ETS members with egalitarian theology. We need your partnership so we can continue.
- Hosting a CBE Booth at the ETS annual convention. Costs: $6,197, including the booth, furniture, electricity, internet, and shipping.
- Co-hosting ETS meals with IVP Academic. Cost: $2,660
- Advertising CBE at ETS. Cost: $750
- Sending digital copies of Priscilla Papers to attendees. Cost: $400
Join CBE to promote women's leadership at ETS.
Advocating for women’s leadership at ETS is crucial and influences change across the global evangelical academy. Given its importance, this mission requires a meaningful investment of staff time. CBE’s total ETS costs are almost $30,000 annually, which includes printing and shipping; travel, food, and hotel costs for staff; creating flyers and invitations; supplies; and more.
Will you support us as we advocate at the next ETS annual meeting for the women called to serve as leaders?
* Read A Question Mark Over My Head by Emily Zimbrick-Rogers. CBE’s presence and egalitarian voice at ETS are vital because “ETS has a reputation throughout the theological academy for its predominant complementarianism.” —Participant in Zimbrick-Rogers’ study
Contributions for this project are administered and disbursed under the supervision of CBE and are made with the understanding that CBE has complete control and discretion over the donated funds. In the unlikely event that this project(s) is overfunded, or becomes impossible, impractical, or illegal to execute, donations may be used for another purpose consistent with CBE’s mission. Your generous contribution will always be used to further CBE’s initiatives.