Christians for Biblical Equality

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Christians for Biblical Equality (CBE) is non-profit organization of Christian men and women that advocates a biblical basis for gift-based, rather than gender-based ministry of Christians of all ages, ethnicities and socio-economic classes. Its charter, Statement of Faith, and raison d'être is based on its interpretation of overarching principles of the Bible – that men and women are equally created in God's image; equally responsible for sin; equally redeemed by Christ, and equally gifted by God's Spirit for service; and equally held responsible for using their God-given gifts. Founded in 1987, CBE's international home office is in Minneapolis, Minnesota, U.S.A.

Membership is offered to both individuals and churches. Their members represent more than 80 mostly evangelical denominations from across the United States, Canada, and more than 150 countries.

The organization is an educational ministry that publishes three journals quarterly, hosts a Web site and bookstore, holds international conferences yearly, and supports grassroots chapters around the world. CBE's scholarly journal, Priscilla Papers, and ministry magazine, Mutuality, have received various publishing awards.

CBE holds that any interpretation of scripture that prohibits women from using their spiritual gifts and abilities in ministry constitutes injustice. CBE defines injustice as an abuse of power, taking from others freedom, dignity, resources, and even life itself. CBE considers gender discrimination within the church to be an injustice that harms the Christian church at large and Christian ministry in the world. The organization sees as its call to be part of God's mission in opposing injustice as required in Scriptures such as the following:

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[edit] History

In 1986, the Evangelical and Ecumenical Women's Caucus (then the Evangelical Women's Caucus, EWCI) passed a resolution acknowledging the lesbian minority in its membership and affirming homosexual rights. This led a group of more conservative members, including Catherine Kroeger, to withdraw from EWCI and affiliate with Men, Women and God, International, based in London. In August 1987 an organization called Men, Women and God: Christians for Biblical Equality was incorporated in Minnesota. The following year, the name was shortened to Christians for Biblical Equality.[1][2]

[edit] Conferences

Beginning in 1989, CBE has presented international conferences—three-day events consisting of plenary sessions and workshops in such U.S. cities such as St. Paul, Minnesota, Winter Park, Colorado, Wheaton, Illinois, San Diego, California, Orlando, Florida, Dallas, Texas Portland, Oregon and Denver, Colorado. Its July 2008 conference is set for Toronto, Canada.

International off-shore conferences were held in 2004 in Durham, England and Bangalore, India, in 2007.

[edit] References

  1. ^ History of CBE
  2. ^ Randall Herbert Balmer, Encyclopedia of Evangelicalism, Baylor University Press 2004 

The organization's Web site provides a list of CBE's Board of Reference Members and numerous endorsers, an interdenominational and international group of ministry leaders, theologians and authors prominent in evangelical circles who affirm the mission of CBE.

[edit] See also

[edit] External links