Challenging theological and social barriers to women’s equality.
Educating and advocating for mutuality between women and men.
The system of patriarchy (men holding power and excluding women from it) has been entrenched in Christian theology through centuries of traditions and misguided beliefs, teachings, and practices. The two largest Christian denominations—Evangelicals and Catholics—exercise and teach male headship. When patriarchy is taught in the church, it spills out to influence society. Recent #MeToo and #ChurchToo reckonings have exposed the destructive force of patriarchy and the marginalization of women.
Through a few misinterpreted/mistranslated Bible texts, girls and women are devalued, and women’s equality and leadership are undermined, resulting in a limited talent pool and abuse. Prohibiting women from fully exercising their God-given gifts, in leadership and service to the church, home, and world, constitutes injustice that impoverishes the body of Christ and its ministry in the world.
CBE Has Challenged Theological and Social Barriers to Women’s Equality for Over 30 Years
CBE uses an interpretation of the original context and language to show that the Bible says men and women are created to be equal partners in the home as well as church.
As the largest portal of egalitarian resources, CBE collaborates with the most extensive egalitarian Christian network worldwide. This network disseminates CBE resources to many cultures, denominations, ages, and educational levels. Together we promote the biblical message that God calls women and men of all cultures, races, and classes to share authority equally in service and leadership in the home, church, and world.
We educate and advocate through our website, multimedia, conferences, award-winning publications, social media, local chapters, international ministry partnerships, and book service to reach popular, academic, and humanitarian audiences.
Some of our current projects include:
One of CBE’s significant outreach efforts targets the influential Evangelical Theological Society (ETS). Advocating for women’s leadership at ETS is crucial and influences change across the global evangelical academy. Click here to learn more.
CBE recruited an international team of women and men to work on translating 500+ Bible verses (70+ different passages) that will provide exegetically-sound, gender-accurate, and accessible English translations from the original biblical texts. Click here to learn more.
CBE has published Created to Thrive: Cultivating Abuse-Free Faith Communities and a companion workbook to help churches create safe spaces where women and men flourish together. They explore the link between views about women’s worth and the consequences of their devaluation. Click here to learn more.
The Alvera Mickelsen Memorial Scholarship provides financial assistance to women who are pursuing a master’s degree in a ministry field related to preaching, communicating, writing, youth ministry, pastoral, or nonprofit work. Click here to learn more.
CBE uses multimedia tools to deliver the biblical message of mutuality in more relevant and relatable ways. We launched a podcast in 2021, radio spots and eLearning courses in 2022, and the development of a film based on the inspiring life of Katharine Bushnell. Click here to learn more.
CBE works beside partners in Sub-Saharan Africa to combat gender-based violence, help girls stay in school, and advance the biblical basis for women’s equality and shared leadership. Click here to learn more.
At CBE’s international conferences, we examine egalitarian issues historically, biblically, and socially. Attendees gain knowledge about God’s intended purpose for women and men to lead and serve side by side as equals. Click here to learn more.
