On August 28, 1987, Men, Women and God: Christians for Biblical Equality became a reality. The new organization affirms the equality of women and men in church, home, and society and encourages the full development of the gifts and talents of all Christians for God’s service.
At the Christians for Biblical Equality conference held last March in Minnesota, a national steering committee was commissioned to address two major issues: incorporation as a national organization and affiliation with Men, Women and God, International, based at the London Institute for Contemporary Christianity. With these goals in mind, an enthusiastic and hard-working committee met this August in Brewster, Massachusetts, for two days of prayer, discussion, planning, document drafting and fellowship. Those present were James Beck, Betty Kroeger Elliott, Deborah Olsoe Lunde, Alvera Mickelsen, Berkeley Mickelsen, Faith Martin, Alice Mathews, Catherine Kroeger, Diane Chynoweth, Dorothy Meyer and Betty Shunk.
The committee formulated for the new organization a Mission Statement establishing its purpose, a Faith Statement indicating its beliefs and a constitution setting forth its organization rules. The Mission Statement says, “Our particular focus is to make known the biblical basis for freedom in Christ to those in evangelical and conservative churches.” (For the full text of the Faith and Mission Statements, see below.)
To govern the organization, the committee appointed a Board of Directors and named Catherine Kroeger spokeswoman. Other board members are James Alsdurf, James Beck, Gretchen Gaebelein Hull, Deborah Olsoe Lunde, Faith Martin, Alvera Mickelsen, Berkeley Mickelsen, and Nancy Graf Peters. Also chosen were Secretary Susan McCoubrie and Treasurer Ruth Hall.
In addition to its labors on such details as incorporation as a non-profit organization, the steering committee voted to affiliate with Men, Women and God, International. The latter group was formed on August 6, 1987, at the London Institute for Contemporary Christianity. Those immediately applying for affiliation are national chapters from England, Northern Ireland, Australia, and the United States. Elaine Storkey has been nominated as the international coordinator. The organizational meeting coincided with a week-long seminar on men, women, and God at the London Institute. Speakers included Mary Anne Evans and Valerie Griffiths, both of London Bible College, David Cohen, director of Scripture Union in England and Wales, his wife Marlene, currently a diocesan director of adult education, and Catherine Kroeger, chaplain of Hamilton College.
The American representatives at the organizational meeting were Ann Paton, professor of English at Geneva College, Peter Haile, assistant headmaster of Stony Brook School, his wife Jane Hollingsworth Haile, formerly with Inter Varsity Christian Fellowship, and Catherine Kroeger. Gretchen Gaebelein Hull was also in London for the seminar, but was unable to attend the organizational meeting.
The international office will be housed in the Institute for Contemporary Christianity in London. In response to the “internationalisation of Men, Women and God,” John Stott wrote in a letter dated August 18, 1987:
“So long as MWF retains its anxiety to discern and obey God’s will through Scripture, you may count on my positive support.
“If you wanted a rather fuller statement, could I offer you the following:
‘I am very glad to express my support of Men, Women and God in its aim to understand and obey God’s will for sexual roles today. The authentic evangelical way is neither the conservatism which reasserts traditional positions without reflection, nor the radicalism which sacrifices all tradition to the spirit of modernity, but rather the radical conservatism which engages in a double listening, being determined above all to hear and obey God’s voice as he spoke and speaks through Scripture, but to do so within the context of a respectful attention to the voices of the contemporary world.’”
The connections between the London Institute of Contemporary Christianity and Men, Women and God include the provision of office and meeting space and much positive interchange. The English group provided the following information: “The Dean of LICC was a founding member of MWG and is still in active membership. Four of the six Trustees of MWG are members of either the Faculty or Council of LICC. Andrew Kirk, an LICC Director, has contributed to the MWG book.”
Our national organization is headquartered in Minnesota. Membership is open to women and men who are in harmony with the Mission and Faith Statements of the organization and who pay their appropriate dues. Local chapters may also make application to the Board for membership. (See enclosed brochure.)
For further information about the organization write Susan McCoubrie, Secretary, Men, Women and God: Christians for Biblical Equality, 2830 Lower 138th St. W., Rosemount, MN, 55068.
Faith Statement
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We believe the Bible is the Word of God, is reliable, and is the final authority for faith and practice.
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We believe in the unity and trinity of God, eternally existing as three equal persons.
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We believe in the full deity and the full humanity of Jesus Christ.
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We believe in the sinfulness of all persons, one result of which is shattered relationships with God, self, and others.
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We believe that eternal salvation and restored relationships are possible through faith in Jesus Christ who died for us, rose from the dead, and is coming again. This salvation is offered to all people.
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We believe in the work of the Holy Spirit in salvation, and in the power and presence of the Holy Spirit in the life of the believer.
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We believe in the equality and essential dignity of men and women of all races, ages and classes, recognizing that all are made in the image of God and are to reflect that image in the community of believers, the home, and society.
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We believe that women and men should diligently develop and use their God-given gifts for the good of the home, church and society.
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We believe in the family, celibate singleness, and heterosexual marriage as the patterns God designed for us.
Mission Statement
This organization is committed to the equality of all persons in Jesus Christ and seeks to encourage full development of the gifts and talents of all Christians in the service of God. We affirm the equality of women and men in church, home, and society. Our particular focus is to make known the biblical basis for freedom in Christ to those in evangelical and conservative churches.
To achieve this mission, we seek to:
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advance the cause of Christ by encouraging the full participation of men and women in the work of the Gospel.
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educate Christians about the teaching of the Bible on these issues of equality in the home, church, and society.
To accomplish this mission, this organization may
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publish a newsletter and other materials with information about the above topics.
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sponsor conferences, workshops, and seminars.
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maintain a resource center and speakers’ bureau to provide information related to our mission.
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provide church leaders with educational materials on these subjects.
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commission specific research projects on these subjects.
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encourage the ongoing development of a coherent theology of women and men.
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facilitate the formation of local chapters to fulfill these goals.
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encourage prayer support for Christians in discriminatory situations.
