MUTUALITY
THE VOICE OF CHRISTIANS FOR BIBLICAL EQUALITY
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Why Churches Embrace Equality Church Dilemma: Should I Stay or Should I Go? Biblical Equality Finds Platform at Rock Festival How a Pastor Uses Gender-Inclusive Language Unmarried But Not Unimportant
Fall 2002
What’s Inside
FALL 2002
FEATURES
DEPARTMENTS
5 Crafting a Church
3 From the Editor
Without Walls ■ BY LOLA SCOBEY
Three pastors share how their churches embraced gender equality, and what they learned along the way.
5 plus: One Pastor’s Approach to Gender-Inclusive Language ■ BY JOANNE NYSTROM JANSSEN
9 Should I Stay or Should I Go?
■ BY JOANNE NYSTROM JANSSEN
When the Pews Are Full of Porcupines
4 In Our Mailbox 19 Book Review ■ BY VALERIE J. NYSTROM
Unmarried But Not Unimportant
20 New Books 21 Ministry Highlights ■ BY JULIA BLOOM
New Life Surges Beneath CBE’s Surface
■ BY THE REV. MARTHA THORSON
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In a church that doesn’t affirm biblical equality, two women struggle to choose whether to stay or leave.
11 Signing Up for ‘South Central’ ■ BY BRADLEY HARRIS
How one family’s church hunt landed them in a traditional congregation, and why they decided to make it their home.
16 Biblical Equality 11
Finds Platform at Rock Festival ■ BY JULIA BLOOM
CBE reaches alternative Christians at an event marked with funnel cakes, tattoos and 11 stages of music.
plus: C-Stoner’s Psalm ■ BY MICAH BLOOM
23 Honor in Our Ranks 24 Prayer Update 26 The Chapters Corner 30 President’s Message ■ BY MIMI HADDAD
A Church in God’s Image
MINISTRY NEWS 13 Church Hunting Made Simple ■ BY FAITH TOTUSHEK
22 CBE 2001 Annual Report 27 New CBE Staff: Michelle Morzov
28 CBE and Students Profit from Internships
29 Journal Gains Exposure 16 2
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COVER PHOTO Arlyn Janssen
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Among Librarians Fall 2002
MUTUALITY
THE VOICE OF CHRISTIANS FOR BIBLICAL EQUALITY
Let us then pursue what makes for peace and for mutual upbuilding. –Romans 14:19 VOLUME 9, ISSUE 3 MUTUALITY seeks to provide inspiration, encouragement and information about equality within the Christian church around the world. President/ Publisher: Mimi Haddad Editor: Joanne Nystrom Janssen Staff Writers: Julia Bloom Sarah Edwards Mary Gonsior Michelle Morzov EDITORIAL AND ADVERTISING OFFICE Christians for Biblical Equality, 122 W. Franklin Ave., Suite 218, Minneapolis, MN 55404 Phone (612) 872-6898 Fax (612) 872-6891 E-mail: mutuality@cbeinternational.org Web site: www.cbeinternational.org Advertising in MUTUALITY does not imply editorial endorsement. SUBMISSIONS MUTUALITY welcomes submissions. E-mail mutuality@cbeinternational.org or write CBE for our writer’s guidelines. PERMISSIONS Christians for Biblical Equality grants permission for any original article (not a reprint) to be photocopied for local use provided no more than 1,000 copies are made, are distributed free, the author is acknowledged, and CBE is recognized as the source. MUTUALITY (ISSN: 1533-2470) is published quarterly by Christians for Biblical Equality and is sent free to members. For membership information, see page 31.
■ From the Editor JOANNE NYSTROM JANSSEN
When the Pews are Full of Porcupines
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church is like a group of cold porcupines, I once heard someone say: Each one needs the others’ heat to stay warm, but as they draw closer together, they run the risk of jabbing each other with their sharp quills. They are faced with a choice: freeze on their own, or forgive each other for the pokes? This seems like an apt comparison, as few of us have escaped church-related stings. Especially when many churches today limit ministry based on gender, it’s no wonder that so many people bear the scars. In the CBE office we often hear stories of the aches — stories that prompted us to devote this issue of Mutuality to the church. But with these stories we have also sensed a yearning for a church like the image given us in the Bible — where each member is a vital part of a well-functioning body. At CBE we haven’t given up on this image. Our envisioned future is one where “all believers will exercise their gifts for God’s glory, with the full support of the Christian community.” We’ve seen glimpses of this vision in churches that encourage all members to use their God-given gifts, like three that are featured in this issue. In “Crafting a Church Without Walls,” three pastors share how their churches came to understand biblical equality, offering insights for others on similar journeys. But what if your church doesn’t believe in biblical equality, and it doesn’t look like it will change? In “Should I Stay or Should I Go?,” two women responded to that question in different ways, but their choices both led to fulfillment. For a unique take on this question, don’t miss Bradley Harris’ article about why he emphatically chose to stay at his fundamentalist church. When members of our staff traveled to an alternative rock festival this summer to represent CBE at a booth, we had no idea that sharing a farm with over 20,000 people would be such a powerful experience. Julia Bloom recounts what it was like, who was there and what we accomplished at the Cornerstone Festival, and Mimi Haddad shares what tattoos and purple hair taught us about the church. We also hope you enjoy the “new look” of Mutuality. We’re thankful for our friends in the publishing industry, who offered critiques of the publication in order to help us achieve new levels of professionalism and readability. Please feel free to let us know what you think!
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Fall 2002
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■ In Our Mailbox
given roles and ministries. There have been so many great women of God, and here in Australia we are seeing a mighty generation of women rising up into the God-given ministries that he has ordained. Australia
Cornerstone Contemplation Editor’s Note: CBE attended the Cornerstone Festival in Bushnell, Ill., from July 3-6. President Mimi Haddad presented a seminar called “Forgotten People, Overlooked Language” addressing women in church history and feminine images of God in Scripture. More details on page 16.
I visited your Web site and [was] amazed to see the well-prepared contents. I am introducing your organization and your Web site to Japanese women and men ministers. Your ministry for biblical equality is so important. Thank you very much for informing us and encouraging us as your partner. Japan
Articles Bring Hope and Healing
Thanks for the excellent seminar at Cornerstone. I wish I had known about your organization sooner. My perception of feminist movements was influenced by secular groups and highly unorthodox Christian groups. I think you are doing an excellent job of advancing opportunities for women without destroying Christian foundations. Arkansas I enjoyed very much hearing [Mimi Haddad’s] last lecture on feminine images in Scripture. Even though we ended our conversation at an impasse in regards to scriptural roles within families, I thoroughly enjoyed it. I have had a chance to look at your Web site and even read some of the articles, and they seemed even-handed. I will look more closely at the idea of headship in Scripture because of our meeting. E-mail
Ordination Epithets I am writing a thesis on women’s ordination with special reference to my denomination in Kenya. I am writing to express thanks for information concerning women in ministry and ordination. Women’s ordination is one of the controversial issues in some churches today and especially in my church in Kenya. Because of writing on this topic, I have received many nicknames from my colleagues. Some have called me “women Messiah” and some have called me a “male feminist.” All of these have never made me lose hope. I am determined, no matter what might come my way. Korea
Rise Up, O Women of God Just thought I’d write and say how much my spirit jumps with gladness while reading your site. I have been brought up with the general view to which you write, and love seeing women released into their God4
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Your articles saved my life. I was totally [without] hope that God loved women! Thank God I found your site when I did. I’ve been studying these articles for several weeks now. E-mail Just discovered your site. Thank you for your healing words. I will be encouraged to share your words of healing life with others and make your site known. E-mail
Successful Sermon [In the sermon], I basically told my story with some Scriptures. Afterwards I ended up talking and praying with several couples, and many women. At least five women told me they knew that they were going to preach somewhere, someday, somehow. Several were weeping quietly as we prayed and talked, and one ended up bent double, sobbing her heart out. After she gained some composure, she said, “You have no idea what it did to me to hear a woman preaching. You have no idea what this day means in the direction our church is going.” Isn’t that wonderful? Wisconsin
■ We’d love to hear from you! Send your comments, suggestions and critiques to: MUTUALITY 122 West Franklin Ave., Suite 218 Minneapolis, MN 55404-2451 Fax: (612) 872-6891 Phone: (612) 872-6898 E-mail: mutuality@cbeinternational.org Web site: www.cbeinternational.org
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Letters may be edited for clarity and brevity.
Fall 2002
Crafting a Church Without Walls Three Pastors Share How Their Churches Embraced Gender Equality, and What They Learned Along the Way
by Lola Scobey
W
hether it’s a church with about 85 members, one with 850 members, or one with around 8,000 members, three gift-based churches, as described by their pastors, practice a model of church life that is not typical, regardless of size. These three pastors — Austin Stouffer, Jo Ann Kunz and John Ortberg — have steadily guided their members to use their spiritual gifts in an environment of gender equality. And each states that their giftbased church acquired its egalitarian stance from one fundamental: studying the Scriptures with other Christians. Austin Stouffer is pastor of Grace Evangelical Free Church in Thunder Bay, Ontario, a small but vibrant church of 75-90 members, with the written mandate: “to reach all walks of life in a class-free, selfhelp oriented, biblically stimulating environment, while still remaining within our denomination.” Stouffer, the son of a mother who preached, worked 10 years in social work with abused women and broken families before entering seminary. There he encountered what he terms “extreme hierarchical views” on gender. However, earning a master’s degree and then a doctorate in divinity gave him a grasp of New Testament Greek and Hebrew that reinforced his innate sense of gender equality. Six years ago, Stouffer, a marriage and family therapist as well as pastor, was asked by five mostly young, middle-class couples to lead them in starting a new church. “I explained eight ‘musts’ that I would insist on if I pastored another church,” he says. “One of them was absolute gender equality.” The group then asked him to present a miniworkshop on gender and giftedness. “To my surprise,” Stouffer says, “they were delighted with my explanations.” Today Stouffer says, “Grace Evangelical has unalterably entrenched the following statement in their own church Constitution: Members of both genders … may serve in any capacity or hold any office in the church.”
Fall 2002
Concrete Plans: Austin Stouffer says it’s easier to affirm biblical equality in a church “from scratch,” as did Grace Evangelical Free Church in Thunder Bay, Ontario.
This includes serving on the Pastoral Care Council, which functions basically like an elder board. In addition, Stouffer says that when he goes on holidays, the committee that chooses lay people to take the pulpit “usually chooses women over men two to one, based on ability to preach.”
Bible Study Prompts Church Change Jo Ann Kunz began attending Hosanna Christian Fellowship in Lititz, Penn., in l980, only a few months after meeting Christ as an adult. Hosanna is the only church she has ever been a member of — and today she is senior pastor. As a new member, it soon became obvious Kunz was gifted to teach and had a strong leadership gift. But recognizing these gifts in an environment that only affirmed them in men led to confusion for Kunz. She describes her mixed emotions as “thinking that this really must be something God was doing — but also fearing that something was wrong with it, wrong with me.” She had to know the truth, not just for herself, but
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Ortberg himself initiated a series at Willow Creek’s mid-week service, typically attended by 6,000 people, called “What Does the Bible Say About Men and Women?” “This is an issue which goes unaddressed at too many churches,” he says. “Our senior pastor had been speaking on leadership at a conference and received a note afterwards that said, ‘Help, I’m a leader trapped in the body of a woman.’ We need very direct teaching on these issues.”
Church Without Walls continued from page 5
for every other gifted woman she saw in her church. As a result, she and her male pastor studied the Scriptures together in his office for 4-8 hours a day, 34 days a week. “We began by putting aside everything we had been taught and just approached the Scriptures with Building Blocks for Change as unbiased a mind as we could,” she says. “When we All three pastors report that simply studying the really saw what Genesis 1-3 was saying — that Scriptures with full openness allows the Holy Spirit to woman is the mirror image of man, equal in every bring about change in church life. way, I put my head down on the desk and wept. What But further disfreedom!” cussion reveals a shared These studies led the experience: Each has male pastor to preach grown to see that while numerous sermons on right knowledge can gender equality. Today drive change, full-orbed wisdom is ultimately Hosanna is the only required to change a church in an area Kunz church. They describe describes as “very a breed of wisdom conservative and steeped that includes resolute in religious tradition” courage, spiritual matuwhich has both a female rity, clear focus, careful senior pastor and a female planning, flexibility, associate pastor as well as perseverance, compasa policy that “no door is sion and respect. Building Blocks: John Ortberg closed because of gender.” recommends working for change in a S t o u f f e r
Mega-Church Has Foundation of Equality
church with several basic steps, such as doing a careful Bible study and helping members recognize their spiritual gifts.
John Ortberg came to gigantic, national news-making Willow Creek Church as teaching pastor eight years ago. Holding a master’s of divinity and a doctorate in clinical psychology, he was formerly senior pastor of a church in Los Angeles and is a recognized author in the areas of spiritual formation and leadership. Willow Creek is located in South Barrington, Ill., a suburb of Chicago, and often has as many as 17,000 people attend services. Ortberg credits his church’s gift-based ministries to Dr. Gilbert Bilezikian’s legacy there. A noted Bible scholar whom Ortberg calls a “founding wisdom figure” of Willow Creek, Bilezikian led the initial leaders through a process of studying what the Bible says about a woman’s place in the church and family. This laid a foundation for the church, which now includes women not only as elders and as teaching pastors (i.e. preachers), but in every aspect of church life. 6
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acknowledges that it is easier to affirm gender equality in a church “from scratch,” as both he and Willow Creek
have done. But wherever you start, Willow Creek’s Ortberg points out, “As time passes, you have to recognize you will have a diverse congregation. And it can be deadly for leaders to assume that the congregation knows what the leaders believe.” Based on Willow Creek’s experience, Ortberg recommends several steps: 1. Begin with leaders doing a careful Bible study. 2. Constantly cast vision that the church is organized around giftedness. 3. Do clear, careful, sound, exegetical teaching on this issue. 4. Offer or even require members to attend seminars that identify each person’s spiritual gifts. 5. Find gifted people who can be models and let people experience gift-based ministry. “When people experience a great leadership or teaching gift exercised by a woman, change happens,”
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Ortberg says, recalling a man mentored by Nancy Beach, one of their two female teaching pastors. “This man told me, ‘I’ve never done this before. I have unresolved emotions about it. But no one has ever developed me the way she has.’” Even beyond such concrete steps, Ortberg suggests allowing a lot of time, being persistent, and realizing that change on this issue is a subcategory of how to bring about change in a church in general. “You’ve got to discern,” he says, “how much change can this church take?” All three pastors agree that change requires strong intentionality and that conflict is inevitable. “Don’t just sit there hoping things will change,” says Kunz. “And don’t think change will come without opposition and conflict. Change by its very nature brings conflict. As Flannery O’Connor said, ‘Healing only occurs when the waters are disturbed.’” But Kunz is hopeful. “Remember,” she says, “experts tell us it only takes 2 percent of a group to change the culture of a group. Only 2 percent. You may lose some folks. But you will gain far more.”
Baby Steps in Stubborn Churches How do leaders respond if members are resistant — and how do members respond if church leadership is resistant? Even today, Stouffer’s denomination does not share his views on gender equality and still refuses to ordain women. “Gender equality simply cannot be attained by one nuclear confrontation,” Stouffer says, citing how even moderate efforts concerning gender are often interpreted as aggressive by others. “I’ve had a lot better success with small steps,” he adds. Stouffer highlights extensive New Testament Greek exegesis and word etymology as an effective small step. “No one has ever been offended when I have explained proper word usage,” he says. He also uses a balance of men and women in sermon illustrations and coaches the church’s nominating committee to always seek the most competent and qualified person for any position, regardless of gender. Ortberg suggests networking with other churches that have gone through change. “It’s key here to not lose hope,” he says. “Because when you lose hope, you lose the motivation to act. Networking will help you keep going.” Kunz acknowledges that the pastor of her church did it the hard way. “The only congregational education was from the pulpit,” she says. “There were a series of messages with little preparation for
One Pastor’s Approach to Gender-Inclusive Language o Ann Kunz’s commitment to biblical equality is apparent not only in her beliefs, but in her words too. As senior pastor of Hosanna Christian Fellowship in Lititz, Penn., Kunz takes care in the language she uses, whether in reading Bible translations, using imagery for God, or communicating through preaching. The Bible translation Kunz uses, she says, varies according to the situation. She sometimes uses gender-accurate translations (which use inclusive terms for people when the original author was referring to members of both sexes), but sometimes she doesn’t. “I use the translation that best conveys the message,” she says. Her translation choice also depends on the message that she’s teaching. If she’s teaching topically, she often uses the gender-accurate New Living Translation (NLT) or New Revised Standard Version (NRSV), whereas if she’s teaching exegetically, she uses the translation that she believes best captures the original language. In referring to God, Kunz teaches her church what the Bible says: “that God is spirit, that God does not have gender because God is neither male nor female.” This means she can call God “Father” (as Jesus did), while still recognizing the feminine imagery used of God in Scripture. When it comes to preaching, Kunz notes that gender equality is only part of the gospel. “The message I preach is not gender equality; it’s Christ crucified and resurrected,” she says. “And while I certainly don’t shy away from teaching the whole truth about gender equality, I also don’t make it the centerpiece of every sermon I preach.” While Kunz’ belief in gender equality influences her approach to language, she doesn’t want to become so sensitive about it that she compromises her commitment to teach and preach God’s word as accurately as possible. “I don’t need to manipulate [the Bible] to include women and equality,” she says. “It’s there in the original texts.”
J
continued on page 8 Fall 2002
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■ — Joanne Nystrom Janssen
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Church Without Walls continued from page 7
the congregation and these messages were quite ‘in your face’ — confrontational, combative, almost arrogant. The attitude of the messenger caused more resistance than there needed to be.” Ultimately, Ortberg advises leaders to return to the basics. “I try to keep the whole situation rooted in love,” he says. “I try to teach rightly. I try to show appropriate pastoral sensitivity to people who disagree. I try to honor their understanding of Scripture, to remember that they are not bad people because they see it differently. I work to achieve community; that’s a whole lot more important than proving myself right.”
Hard Labor: Jo Ann Kunz studied the Bible with her pastor for 4-8 hours a day, 3-4 days a week, in order to discover what it said about women in ministry.
Discerning God’s Direction But despite the missteps implicit in a learning curve, all of these churches affirm gender equality today. What if change in one’s own church seems very far away? How does a church member know whether to stay or to leave? “If you see small battles bringing small victories, hang in there if you can,” Stouffer counsels. “However, if staying requires you to renounce or compromise your fundamental beliefs in any area, you’re not doing yourself or the congregation any favors by staying.” “Ultimately it’s a discernment question,” Orberg notes. “What is your concept of commitment? The Desert Fathers and Mothers said, ‘Wherever you find yourself, don’t easily leave.’ This is how you grow. You’ve got to have a whole underlying sense of what commitment means to you. So, be very careful before you commit to a church in the first place.” Kunz, who is a spiritual director as well as pastor, also focuses on discernment. “First, you must get alone with God and discern direction directly from him,” she says. “God is the only one who knows whether that church, that leader, will ever change. God is the only one who knows whether you will be part of changing that church or not. You’ve got to hear from God.”
From Paralyzed in Pew to Active in Ministry How have these churches benefited from allowing every member to practice God-given gifts regardless of gender? “It’s huge,” says Ortberg. “Otherwise,
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we’d be working with one hand tied behind our back. We’d be literally impoverished.” Stouffer says the 30 years he has spent as a marriage and family therapist has led to his passion about biblical equality. “It is my impression that most churches are far more accepting of a divorced or separated husband than a wife in that position,” says Stouffer. “At Grace, fully one-third of our adults are divorced, separated or remarried. In our group, they feel accepted and loved the way they are, and nurtured in the Word to become all they can be in Christ.” Kunz observes husbands and wives in her church experience what she calls “deeper and more intimate relationships when they drop all the cookie-cutter roles.” Plus, “At Hosanna,” she says, “half the gifts of the church are not sitting dormant because the women have been sidelined.” Furthermore, Kunz has seen a remarkable effect even outside her own church. “A few church leaders in the area have come to believe in gender equality — and a few more have come to at least tolerate it,” she says, “because they can’t question what God is doing in the midst of our church. In the first 18 months I was senior pastor, almost 100 people were saved. That’s a God thing!”
■ Lola Scobey is co-founder of Audio-Therapy Innovations, an entrepreneurial company that for 17 years has pioneered the use of music therapy for children. She is also a writer, editor, marketing consultant and certified spiritual director.
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Should I Stay or Should I Go?
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any people who believe in b i b l i c a l equality find themselves in churches that don’t share their beliefs. How does one decide whether to stay and work for change, or leave to find a church with a similar interpretation of Scripture? Mary Hanson of Denver, Colo., and Joan Flikkema of Grand Rapids, Mich., were both faced with this question, and they each made a different choice as they were led by the Holy Spirit. Mary Hanson and her husband Clem value the doctrine, theology and worship of traditional Reformed or Presbyterian churches. In Denver, they attended a church whose pastor was egalitarian, even though the denomination doesn’t affirm women in public ministry. While at this church, Hanson discovered biblical equality. During the family’s six years as members, Hanson served as church pianist. Although she was frustrated by not being able to hold office, she worked with others for change by speaking up for biblical equality whenever she could, and when the pastor left, by serving on the Pulpit Nominating Committee. When the new, young pastor began preaching a series from Corinthians, it quickly became clear to Hanson that he was not interpreting Scripture with Scripture. She asked him to rethink his interpretation of I Corinthians 14:34 (women should remain silent) in light of I Corinthians 11:5 (every woman who prays or prophesies), but he just stated that prophecy and tongues were no longer valid gifts. This environment of patriarchy began to weigh on Hanson, but thinking about leaving was difficult. She
loved her friends and the music ministry, and knew the church depended on her. The church was also similar to the one she grew up in, and had become an ingrained part of her background. She also felt pressure because the church taught about the dangers of “being led astray by ‘liberal’ churches.” “It took a long time to become secure enough in my faith to trust God’s guidance to seek out a new church,” says Hanson. “After I realized the flaws of a male-dominated church, I seriously saw it as my mission to try to effect change, essentially by myself.” As Hanson noticed that the church was becoming more entrenched in its beliefs and that she was not growing in her faith, she began looking for another church. “I finally came to the realization that the strength of my faith was not dependent on any one particular church,” she says. As the family searched, they found some churches that didn’t match their musical preferences or that had women in office but were still functioning as a traditional hierarchy. They found some great matches too far from home for active participation. After about a year of searching, they discovered a church that had both women and men serving as copastors without the women working “under” the men. Women and men serve on leadership boards, and its musical style and location fit the family. The decision to change churches came with a cost: The former church refused to transfer their membership because they said the new church was PHOTOS BY JOANNE NYSTROM JANSSEN
By the Rev. Martha Thorson
continued on page 10 Fall 2002
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Should I Stay? continued from page 9
not of “like faith and practice.” Their friends at this church also cut off contact with the Hansons. For others beginning this journey, Hanson recommends spending a few Sundays attending different churches, and then returning to your old church to compare and learn. She says, “Pray about it; let the Spirit be your guide.”
Planning for Institutional Change When Joan Flikkema entered the process of working towards an acceptance of women in ministry, her denomination, the Christian Reformed Church (CRC), had already begun looking at the question of women in ministry. In 1975, the national level government determined that there was nothing biblical against women holding office, but that the local churches were not culturally ready. Flikkema said she “felt called to be a prophetic agent” in helping her denomination make this cultural change. Two major experiences helped prepare her for this work: She had learned how culture changes over time through teaching English and history for 34 years, and she practically saw how change happens through working as a negotiator for the teacher’s union. By the mid-1980s, Flikkema had become the executive secretary at the international level. From a sociological perspective, Flikkema knew that 20 percent is the necessary amount to accept a new belief for it to become self-sustaining. To that end, Flikkema and her colleagues led the women of the CRC to pull together and appeal to the moderates until churches across North America began to see having women in office as an acceptable minority position. The Committee for Women, an independent group of women and men in the CRC who are dedicated to the use of all members’ gifts, had a carefully planned approach. They printed newsletters, held debates, provided a speakers bureau, did archival research, and led retreats and conferences. They wrote or provided books and study guides and served to testify or observe in the church courts process at all levels. These leaders also worked to establish a million dollar endowment that has helped 140 women attend various seminaries in the Reformed tradition, and remains as a permanent source of scholarships for women in the denomination. Flikkema brought her skills to a time in history when our society was working from a solid base while 10 MUTUALITY
going through tremendous sociological changes. Jobs, health care and marriages were stable, providing boundaries for people’s lives within which to deal with institutional change. Today when so many of these things are in transition, Flikkema expects that it will be harder for people to dedicate energy for institutional change. “Proof-text poker,” in which Bible verses are isolated and used for pronouncements, will always be a challenge for anyone working for change, Flikkema says. Nevertheless, working from a biblical base is important as a foundation for presenting solid theology and gaining a credible hearing. Given that as a basis, however, Flikkema found the process most effective when the conversations were framed in the use of spiritual gifts, when the church remembered its call to be the church reformed, and most of all, when the people could hear personal testimony. When people could meet women in ministry who believed in the word of God and lived according to it, gender became less of an issue. Personally and emotionally this work has taken decades of sacrifice with a serious commitment. Flikkema was able to endure because she had a strong emotional and spiritual support base outside the denomination, built through previous years of ecumenical faith and work. She says her faith and gifts grew. She has no regrets, and encourages others who engage in the process of cultural and institutional change to consider the length and breadth of the process in the big picture.
■ The Rev. Martha H. Thorson has been an ordained pastor in the PCUSA for 17 years, serving churches in Virginia and California before moving to Texas. She and her husband have two children.
CBE is Looking for Spiritual Directors Who Support CBE’s Mission If you are a Spiritual Director and would like your name added to our list of egalitarian spiritual directors, send your name and credentials to us at cbe@cbeinternational.org.
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Thank you!
Fall 2002
Signing Up for ‘South Central’ Why Our Family Chose a Traditional Church By Bradley Harris
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ly as you might, you have to land somewhere, sooner or later. Weeks became months as my wife, Trish, and I cruised the smorgasbord of Southern churches — the comfortable pews of conventional denominations; folk festivals spilling lots of latte-slurping Peter, Paul & Mary but rather less God; small, sad country independents whose land and members were dying in suburban sprawl; a church where we gritted our teeth as we passed the hyperChristian greeters at the door, wondering what theology fuelled their hopped-up, wideeyed grins. We moved on. Now we’ve found a Southern fundamentalist church. And yes, we’re staying. We’re full members who have signed the roll, joined the groups and made friends. We take the classes, know the names and bring fruit salad to share at Sunday school. Let’s call our church “South Central.” Staying here can be maddening, of course. Trish likes “Ms.,” but church forms offer only “Miss” or “Mrs.” God made “man” — “humankind” would turn ridiculing heads in Sunday school. And let’s just not mention God’s feminine side, shall we? We’ve never seen a woman asked to lead a prayer (though they are, naturally, asked to lead ventures involving baking, flowers or anything in a basket). The women of our marriage class do ask questions, but presumably under the guidance of their husbands. The church’s leaders are all men: elders, ministers, instructors of anyone past pre-teen, anyone ranked higher than clerical or kitchen help. Each, moreover, “the husband of one wife” (1 Timothy 3:12), actively engaged in the business of “ruling [his] own house well,” each wife duly reverent and submissive. The truth these men guard and purvey seems perfectly and completely expressible in sentences,
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most short and seemingly simple — the kinds of neat sentences to which you learned to attach T or F truthvalues in your college logic class. Each statement is literal, each scriptural line the companion of one wellcontained meaning. For these men, perhaps the greatest fear and favorite defense is the slippery slope. Once we let in one metaphorical interpretation, the story goes, well, that’d be just the start. And then where would we be? So what are Trish and I doing in this church? Reading scripture. Learning. Belonging. Sometimes making new friends who don’t quite buy it all, either. Too many times, Trish and I carried our Bibles into churches where scarcely anyone else carried one, where the Word was rarely quoted, save in glib Powerpoint presentations selling a take-it-easy approach to church and life. We wanted in — not only to a church where we liked the people individually, as we very much do, but to a church that takes its Bible study seriously. Mistakenly, perhaps, on certain points. But seriously. How do we stand it? Part of the answer: the little clutch of good people we’re close to. The rest of the answer: a conspiracy of secret delight. My wife and I have something new to share — resistance. Trish asks more questions than is seemly for a woman at South Central, and some of the questions turn quickly to the sweetly tart comments she’s famous for. Like mine, her comments at times turn heads — but in her case garner nods of surprised agreement, gestures of gee-Ihadn’t-thought-about-that. We delight, too, in the occasional quiet subversions of others. A woman can’t teach at South Central, save “under the guidance” of her husband, but Diana (the wife of a minister) got to teach the church’s first “Financial Peace” seminar. She
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Signing Up for South Central continued from page 11
dispensed accurate advice on investments and insurance — things men sell, after all, in this church — and she taught the Word on charity, tithing, generosity and Christ’s nature. Diana betrays no conscious clue she’s subversive, but she is — deeply, by this church’s standard. For the first time, South Central Church has a woman teaching scriptural content to grownups, to men, reading its meaning for them. Better yet, the church doesn’t know quite what it’s done. Or what it means. We could go, Trish and I, someplace our views would be more visibly welcome, where Trish could be Ms., thank you very much, and “Brad and Trish” wouldn’t sound like “Brad and his car.” But we’re here. By choice. Three of us, as least. Diana, who doesn’t know what she’s doing, yet does exactly what she knows to be right and says what she knows to be true. Trish, my wife and friend and intellectual colleague. And me, smiling inside at two wonderful women in my well-meaning church, at the ways they teach me, at the ways they act out the Word of God.
Some Employers Will Match Your Contributions to CBE Does your employer offer a matching funds program? Over the years CBE has been the grateful recipient of matching gifts from employers, United Way and the Mustard Seed Foundation, to mention a few. Perhaps your employer or your local United Way will match your contribution to CBE. Please check with your human resources department. What a wonderful way to double the pleasure of giving, making it possible for CBE to reach twice as many with the good news of Galatians 3:28.
m bi inis bl try ica l r news es ou rc es
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Canadian Bradley Harris designs and delivers training for a large United States retailer and logistics firm, living in Tennessee with his wife, Trish, and three children. He reads and writes addictively; his short novel Ruby Ruby is detective fiction set in Memphis.
les tic r ea fre
Send your friend a CBE informational packet! This packet includes brochures and intriguing articles from Mutuality and Priscilla Papers. Name____________________________________ Address__________________________________
Visit CBE’s Web site at
_________________________________________
www.cbeinternational.org
Please send to: Christians for Biblical
Equality 122 West Franklin Ave., Suite 218 Minneapolis, MN 55404-2451
or e-mail: cbe@cbeinternational.org
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for the latest ministry news, cutting-edge biblical resources and free articles!
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Fall 2002
Church Hunting Made Simple
Egalitarian Church Form
By Faith Totushek
Church Name
“H
Address
oney, where should we visit this week?” My husband and I have asked this question for the past three months of looking for a church. We’ve checked newspapers, watched for signs on the highway and waited for mail alerting us of new churches in our area. We’ve even copied down Web sites flicked on movie screen advertising while waiting for the film to begin at our local theater. Second to the challenge of locating a church is discovering what that church believes concerning the role of women and men in the community of faith. There is an embarrassed reluctance for churches to be upfront about how they see the participation of women within the body of Christ. Also woefully absent among average church members is an understanding of biblical equality. CBE offers creative solutions to these problems with its online church directory and church membership program. The Web directory of egalitarian churches throughout the nation allows those seeking a church to easily access the name and location of a church and know that the listed churches share their perspective on biblical equality. It really works! One member church shared that they were recently visited by a couple who found their church on CBE’s Web site. Another family accessed a church Web page and discovered a link to CBE’s site. These simple bits of information quickly facilitated knowledge of the church as well as healthy discussion about the church’s position on biblical equality. Moreover, a CBE church membership provides the congregation with valuable information. Member churches receive Priscilla Papers, a quarterly journal with articles written by credible biblical scholars. This journal takes a thoughtful theological approach, engaging readers in biblical reflection on the topic of gender equality and related current issues. Churches also receive Mutuality, a popular periodical aimed at a wider audience. This magazine includes testimonials and real-life encounters written by readers on their spiritual journey. With these tools available to congregations, education and healthy dialogue on the gender issue is encouraged. Fill out the adjoining form to let us know about an egalitarian church in your area or to become a church member!
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Faith Totushek is pursuing a master’s degree in theology at Bethel Seminary in St. Paul, Minn. Fall 2002
City State/Province/Country
Zip/Postal Code
Phone E-mail
Church Denomination
■ I recommend the above church as one that supports a biblical basis for the equality of women and men in church, home and society. ■ The above church would like to become a member of CBE. ■ I wish to give a gift membership to the above church. My Name Address City
State/Province/Country
Zip/Postal Code
CBE church membership is available to those who support CBE’s Statement of Faith. (See page 31.) All membership fees in U.S. Dollars: (Please circle one)
0 - 100 members 101 - 500 members 501 - 1000 members 1001 - 2000 members 2001 - 5000 members 5001 - 7500 members
$ 40 $ 60 $ 80 $100 $200 $300
Additional Contribution Enclosed: $_________ TOTAL ENCLOSED: $_________ CBE is an exempt organization as described in IRC Sec. 501(C) 3 and as such donations in excess of the basic membership fee may qualify as a charitable contribution where allowed by law.
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Please send payment to: Christians for Biblical Equality 122 West Franklin Avenue, Suite 218 Minneapolis, MN 55404-2451 Phone: (612) 872-6898 Fax: (612) 872-6891 E-Mail: cbe@cbeinternational.org www.cbeinternational.org
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Marriage Family of God and the
What does the Bible really teach about marriage?
SEPTEMBER 27-29, 2002 PORTLAND, OR A Christians for Biblical Equality Conference
general sessions Love, Listening, and Forgiveness: Why Submission Is a Two-Way Street Jon and Carol Elaine Trott (7 p.m. Fri.)
After She Nailed His Pants to the Floor: Communication and Sex John Temple Bristow (7:30 p.m. Sat.)
When “My Way” Became “Our Way”: How Biblical Equality Changed Our Tune John and Carolyn Kohlenberger (9 a.m. Sat.)
Freedom of Service: Serving and Empowering Others John Kohlenberger (9 a.m. Sun.)
plus
10 workshops, music, drama, and couples’ panel!
Check our Web site for complete conference details: www.cbeinternational.org
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Fall 2002
Come and Celebrate Marriage
From Friday evening through Sunday morning, experience this renewing conference. Gifted speakers and seasoned couples will offer biblical solutions to real challenges. The music and drama will move you to laughter and tears. CBE’s bookstore will feature relevant books and tapes. Come take a fresh look at what the Bible really says about marriage and the family. Portland, with Mount Hood in the distance and rivers within, offers great restaurants and shops, and no sales tax. This is an ideal conference location. Register today! See you in Portland. Mimi Haddad President
registration Hotel Information: Ramada Inn Portland Airport 6221 NE 82nd Ave. Portland, OR 97220 (503) 255-6511 $55.00 per room/night Includes breakfast, a complimentary 24-hour airport shuttle and free parking. Call for reservations before September 6, 2002.
Registration (includes Saturday lunch): Rate Individual . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .$135 CBE member . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .$115 Student (full time) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .$85
Scholarships and group discounts are available! Call (612) 872-6898 or e-mail conference@cbeinternational.org.
general sessions Love, Listening, and Forgiveness: Why Submission Is a Two-Way Street Jon Trott and Carol Elaine Trott
After She Nailed His Pants to the Floor: Communication and Sex John Temple Bristow
When “My Way” Became “Our Way”: How Biblical Equality Changed Our Tune John and Carolyn Kohlenberger
Freedom of Service: Serving and Empowering Others John Kohlenberger
couple’s panel
Three couples will address “Marriage as a Partnership: Speaking from Experience.” Moderated by Carol Elaine and Jon Trott.
workshops Ordinary People, Extraordinary Marriages: Considering a Partnership Model of Marriage Brian Nystrom
Respect and Dignity within the Family: Parenting with Equality Dave Wenzel and Carolyn Kohlenberger
Seven Biblical Models of Marriage John Temple Bristow
Ephesians 5: Marriage as Redemptive Community Mary Kate Morse
Dynamics of Grace and Shame: Building Whole Marriages and Families Richard Shaw “It’s Good for Me! Is it Good for You?” Negotiating Strategies in Marriage Phyllis and Rand Michael Going Back to the Garden: The Creation Account and Marriage Relationships John Kohlenberger
Preparing for Matrimony: Practical Help for Engaged Couples Naomi Larsen Exploring the Relational Challenges of Remarriage and Blended Families Anita Berardi Maher Understanding Power and Control Dynamics in Marriage Brian Nystrom
For general session and workshop descriptions, conference schedule and speaker bios, see www.cbeinternational.org Fall 2002
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Biblical Equality Finds Platform at Rock Festival By Julia Bloom
P
JIMI ALLEN/WWW.CORNERSTONEFESTIVAL.COM
COURTESY ANNIE QUICK
acifism, funnel cakes, tattoos, and 11 stages of music — over 27,000 people gathered July 2-6 for Cornerstone, a festival celebrating Jesus in everything from punk to painting, theology, films and rock climbing. Sponsored by Chicago’s Jesus People USA (JPUSA) since 1984, Cornerstone takes place on a farm near Bushnell, Ill. (population 3,321). I attended Cornerstone for the first time in 1997 with a guitar-toting, longhaired, earring-endowed man named Nathan. We were hopelessly — no, hopefully — in love, and along with our good friend Chris we drove for eight hours to arrive at Cornerstone Farm, a 500-acre piece of land surrounded by cornfields and cows, transformed to a tent metropolis once every year. This year Nathan (now my husband), Chris and I again made the pilgrimage to Cornerstone, but with a mission beyond cramming our heads with morning seminars and our ears with all-night rock shows. My fifth Cornerstone was CBE’s first, and we helped out at a booth representing CBE in one of the three vendor/ministry tents. The first band I saw was Stickman Jones, whose front-woman is Annie Quick. In an industry that is significantly dominated by men, it was refreshing to see a woman playing the guitar with authority,
TENT METROPOLIS: From the air, it was tents as far as the eye could see, as about 27,000 people camped at Cornerstone’s 500-acre farm.
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singing her own well-crafted songs and taking ownership of the music. What a symbolic way to start the week! Although Nathan and I are both musicians, the DISTORTED MEANINGS: seminar lineup this “Christians often consider year excited me just themselves pro-equality, but as much as the 300 when questioned more closely, bands. Each day it’s just new words on the same old misogyny,” says Annie from 9:00 a.m. until Quick of the band Stickman 5:00 p.m., seminars Jones. were scheduled simultaneously in eight different tents. The topics included theological and sociological issues, writing, music, sex and relationships, and multicultural perspectives. In addition, the “Flickerings” film showcase featured independent and amateur releases as well as a series of Iranian films, many dealing specifically with the plight of women in the Middle East. CBE President Mimi Haddad gave a four-part seminar entitled “Forgotten People, Overlooked Language: Women Leaders and Feminine Images of God.” This seminar discussed women leaders in the early church, medieval women mystics, women leaders in the Reformation and modern missions era, and the biblical feminine imagery used for God. Mimi also took part in a panel discussion with Linda Belleville (New Testament professor at North Park Theological Seminary) and Sharon Hersh (professional counselor, author and director of Women’s Recovery and Renewal) entitled “Reconciling a Spiritual Hunger and a Feminist Thirst.” CBE was in good company. Linda Belleville also gave a four-part seminar called “Men, Women, and the Battle of the Sexes,” which explored the theology of gender relationships. Other CBE members and friends who spoke at Cornerstone were Jay Phelan, president and dean of North Park Theological Seminary; Stanley Grenz, professor of theology and ethics at Carey Theological College and Regent College; Paul Larsen, president emeritus of the
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JOANNE NYSTROM JANSSEN
Fall 2002
MIRANDA STONE
Evangelical Covenant Church; and Jo Kadlecek, author and columnist for Prism magazine. And the cherry on top was a performance by CBE members Kurt and Lynn Landré, finalists in Silent Planet Records’ Mark Heard Songwriting Contest. Phelan, Belleville and Haddad, along with Glenn Kaiser (JPUSA pastor and musician) and Jon Trott (editor of JPUSA’s Cornerstone magazine) all made special appearances at the CBE booth to talk with interested festgoers. Four CBE staff members and three volunteers worked in shifts at the booth from 10 a.m. to midnight for four days. In addition, Mimi spoke with many people after her seminars. All of us came back with stories to tell. Chris and I met Beth, a young woman who had recently cried in her pastor’s office as he showed her the “scriptural support” for women’s subordination. Her face lit up to hear something different from all she’d heard previously. Before she left, Chris leaned over the table, looked in her eyes, and said, “We want you to know that you are created for a special purpose, and we want you to be completely empowered to serve God as you are called.” To hear such words of affirmation coming from a Christian man was a powerful thing for her, as well as for me! Another young woman, Stacy, had struggled for five years with the words she encountered in 1 Timothy 2:11-12, asking for insights from anyone she thought might have them. She took an information packet from our booth in the morning and came back later in the day after having read the included article, “What is Biblical Equality?” by Alan Padgett. She told Sarah Edwards, CBE’s executive assistant, and her husband, Nathan, that she now had an answer that came the closest to satisfying her quest. She wanted to do a little more study, but she said, “I am so close I can taste it!” “We had many people tell us they were so glad we were CLOTHING COMMUNICATION: there and Cornerstone magazine editor encourage us to Jon Trott wore a bright pink ‘hang in there’ “Bride of Christ” t-shirt in support with the people of CBE. The back says, “Get in who would rather touch with your feminine side.”
ON PINS AND NEEDLES: After a few friendly debates, the CBE staff found that tattoos and unusual hair styles didn’t reveal much about one’s beliefs about gender equality.
we were not present,” Sarah said. “Even the people who disagreed with us usually did so in a very respectful way.” CBE book service coordinator Joanne Nystrom Janssen and her husband, Arlyn, also worked at the booth. Joanne was impressed with the thoughtful questions from people on all sides of the issue, specifically one young man named Andrew who read through all the material in the information packet and then came back to the booth to ask some clarifying questions about how CBE sees equality working itself out: Does equality mean sameness? Are we interested in reversing roles so that women lead and men follow? Do we think women should always work outside the home? “As we discussed CBE’s goal of empowering all believers to serve Christ in the ways they are gifted, I could tell he was relieved,” said Joanne. “As we parted ways he thanked me and said he was really encouraged. It was exciting to meet young men like this who were so supportive of CBE’s mission.” Joanne also met Steve, who has begun to see some inconsistencies in his denomination’s teachings on women, so was very interested in CBE’s materials. “He kept returning to our table, each time asking another question, sharing a new idea, or looking at our books,” she said. “On the last day he bought a couple of books to help him think through the issue.” While Cornerstone is among the most alternative places CBE has ventured, the staff and volunteers found that tattoos and purple hair can’t tell us much about a person’s beliefs on gender equality. Sarah Kielsmeier, CBE’s summer student intern, spent about 15 minutes in conversation with a young male member of a hardcore band who respectfully but seriously argued for the traditional understanding of
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male headship. Chris and I, however, spoke with another young man who is into punk rock. When I asked him if he’d done any study into this issue, he said that the punk scene takes gender equality for granted, so he has always been interested in reconciling it with his Christian faith but hadn’t looked into it much. He took some of our materials and was interested to learn more. Sarah Kielsmeier also met a woman named Amy, who is active in her university’s InterVarsity chapter. Amy keeps a file of CBE articles in the InterVarsity office, which she frequently shares with others. She said it has greatly impacted other students in the chapter, including many newly engaged couples. Her father is a pastor, and CBE has influenced him to seek after gender and racial reconciliation in his church. On Thursday Annie Quick of the aforementioned band Stickman Jones stopped by our table and took an information packet (and a temporary tattoo!). In an e-mail she sent me later, Annie relates, “I’ll have to admit that at first I suspected the organization might be a classic Christian maneuver like: ‘men and women are created equal in value, but really the man was built to rule over the woman’ or some such thing. Christians often consider themselves pro-equality, but when questioned more closely, it’s just new words on the same old misogyny. So, I was glad to see you were for real. “That fear being put out of my mind, I was very pleasantly surprised and encouraged that you were there,” she adds. “I’ve experienced such profound underlying chauvinism in the Christian music industry that I’m impressed that CBE had the courage to be there. It’s hard to even bring up these issues in a milieu like Cornerstone without getting everyone’s hackles up. It was very fortifying to know you exist!” Friday night CBE staff, volunteers, members and friends gathered for dinner. It had been a hot dusty week with no rain, and we were all wilted. At the dinner I met two of CBE’s 2002 marriage conference speakers — Jon Trott, Cornerstone editor, and Carol Trott, co-coordinator of a housing program for homeless women and children. After talking the last few days about empowering every person to use their gifts for God’s glory, it was so refreshing to be served by Carol, who is graciously gifted with a special ability and desire to help others. She found us a table under a tent so we could eat in the shade, shared a cooler full of ice and cold soda with everyone, and introduced us to a new method of keeping cool — ice cubes wrapped in paper towels, which did wonders 18 MUTUALITY
for hot arms and legs and faces! The fellowship we all shared over dinner energized us for the remaining day of the festival. Four years ago, Nathan and I attended Cornerstone for the first time as husband and wife. Being newly married made my ears prick up to OUTDOOR LEARNING: Seminars were scheduled in anything on the eight different tents. President radar screen about Mimi Haddad presented a series gender roles, and on women in church history and sadly, I encounbiblical feminine imagery used tered nothing at for God. the festival that year to dispel the traditional messages I was accepting from the evangelical Christian culture. Not to say it wasn’t there, but if it was, I was unaware. This year, we hope, the liberating message of biblical equality was a little harder to miss. JON TROTT
Cornerstone
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Julia Bloom is CBE’s international and membership coordinator.
C-Stoner’s Psalm by Micah Bloom You, O Lord, are incredible. You make me dance — throw my hands in the air and praise you. Though I am an outcast you don’t count me out. Let the whole crowd praise you, O Lord. For you created music so let it be to your glory. Praise him with the crunchy bass, the chunky groove, the wailing feedback. Jump to the heavens to exalt him … praise him on the air guitar. O, you people with or without earplugs let us praise him! Lord, bless those who love you. May their spikes extend to the heavens and may their dreads flourish to the earth. O, Lord, let us grow together in the sanctuary for your name’s sake. Amen.
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Fall 2002
■ Book Review REVIEWED BY VALERIE J. NYSTROM
Unmarried But Not Unimportant as a great gift of God, even ntended for single women and the churches they recommending in his letter attend, Single Women: Challenge to the Church? to Corinth that people tackles the unique challenges faced by single should remain single in Christian women through the eyes of nearly 100 order to focus on their women who were surveyed and interviewed for the relationship with Christ. project. The present church oftentimes fails to recognize The book also addresses the church’s response to singleness as a gift and readily treats all singleness these challenges and provides practical suggestions merely as “a period of for the church on how to waiting for a partner,” serve its single members. Aune notes. The 10 This work is an Single Women: recommendations in the encouragement for single final chapter offer a Challenge to the Church? women because it views corrective to the common singleness as a gift that By Kristin Aune misinterpretation of holds a distinct purpose 163 pages, Paternoster Press, 2002. singleness. For instance, for a woman’s service to in her third God. B227P . . . .$10.99/Introductory Price $8.24 recommendation Aune The first four states, “Let [single chapters of the book: women] use their wide range of gifts to serve God and “Society,” “Church,” “Husband-hunting?” and the church. Do not simply expect them to take on the “Attitudes,” outline the circumstances of single jobs no one else wants. Do not discriminate on the women, with the first chapter containing an basis of marital status.” abundance of statistics Single Women: Challenge pertaining to single life. to the Church? truly portrays The next three chapters This work is an singleness in a positive light, contain an extensive use of encouragement for single pointing out that the only quotes from the women marriage any Christian interviewed, and although women because it views woman really needs is her Aune comments on the singleness as a gift that holds marriage to Christ. “If we women’s thoughts and take up the challenge of a distinct purpose for a experiences, she offers no recognizing singleness as a real assistance in either woman’s service to God. gift, the Christian media will dealing with or embracing no longer have to focus their singleness. These chapters discussions on the dilemma posed by single women,” can, however, help the church gain insight into what writes Aune. “There will be no dilemma, just women single women encounter and provide singles with a and men, single and married, living their lives in the true sense that they are not alone in their experience. service of the gospel.” The true merit of the book is ultimately found in its final two chapters, “Theology” and ■ “Recommendations.” In her treatment of the theology of singleness, Aune looks at both the Old and the New Valerie J. Nystrom is a senior at Dordt College, in Testaments, but deals primarily with the New Sioux Center, Iowa, majoring in agriculture with a plant Testament as it contains most of the biblical references science emphasis. to singleness. This chapter discusses the importance of singles in Jesus’ ministry and the treatment and freedom he offered single believers, especially women. It also points out that Paul viewed singleness
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■ New Books Romancing Your Husband: Enjoying a Passionate Life Together By Debra White Smith Would you like to have a marriage others only dream about? Combining biblical study, personal insights and ideas for romantic interludes, this book demonstrates how to have a thrilling love affair with your spouse. With compelling honesty, Smith also discusses issues like submission, forgiveness and communication. 240 pages, Harvest House, 2002. B228P . . . . . . . . .Was $9.99/Introductory Price $7.49
The Bible and Homosexual Practice: Texts and Hermeneutics By Robert A. J. Gagnon With compassion, precision and fairness, Gagnon offers a comprehensive study of all biblical references to homosexuality and of the current psychological and scientific data relating to homosexuality. This professor at Pittsburgh Theological Seminary determines that homosexual behavior is contrary to God’s will for humanity. 520 pages, Abingdon Press, 2001. B231H . . . . . . .Was $49.00/Introductory Price $36.75
Two Become One: God’s Blueprint for Couples By Donald M. Joy and Robbie B. Joy Weaving together wisdom from over 50 years of marriage, careful discussion of biblical passages and sound principles of human psychology, this book shows how man and woman are equal partners in marriage. This couple shares their journey of realizing a better biblical marriage after starting off with a firm belief in the traditional model. 192 pages, Evangel Publishing House, 2002. B229P . . . . . . .Was $14.95/Introductory Price $11.21
The Legend of the Valentine: An Inspirational Story of Love and Reconciliation By Katherine Grace Bond, Don Tate (Illustrator) Attractive and engaging, this picture book tells the story of Marcus, a young African-American boy growing up in the American Civil Rights era who is teased by a boy at his mostly white school because he’s black. Through hearing the story of St. Valentine, Marcus learns how to forgive those who hurt him. Recommended for children ages 4-8. 32 pages, Zondervan, 2002. B232H . . . . . . .Was $14.99/Introductory Price $11.24
Meet the Queen of Sheba: More Dramatic Portraits of Biblical Women By Rosanne Gartner In her follow-up to Meet Bathsheba, Rosanne Gartner captures the emotions and thoughts of 10 biblical women in these first-person testimonies. The author’s contemporary narrative style and colorful imagery make this book a source of new insights for people who have never learned about biblical women, and a refreshing look at some women who are sometimes overlooked. Featured women include Esther, the witch of Endor, Pilate's wife, and Salome. 121 pages, Judson Press, 2001. B230P . . . . . . .Was $14.00/Introductory Price $10.50
Women in the Bible: Crafts and Activities By Sharon Van Houten and Mary Wenger Through a variety of fun-filled crafts and activities, this innovative book highlights 34 women in the Bible. Activities such as word searches, mazes, matching and coloring puzzles offer a creative yet simple way to teach children about women like Sarah, Deborah, Mary Magdalene and Phoebe. Designed for kids in the 3-5 and 6-10 age ranges. 160 pages, Baker Books, 2000. B233P . . . . . . . . .Was $7.99/Introductory Price $5.99
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Fall 2002
■ Ministry Highlights JULIA BLOOM
New Life Surges Beneath CBE’s Surface this sum of money will be used to help pay for people t’s been said that you can never step into the same from around the world to come to CBE’s international river twice. From the surface, it may not look like conferences. We have some big dreams for other uses it, but the ever-flowing water carries with it all of this money, if enough is generated. Please be part of sizes, shapes and colors of life; and where you dipped this new endeavor by donating any amount toward your bare feet yesterday, there are new rocks and fish our endowment fund. and bugs today. In our first year This past quarter has attending the Evangelical been filled with newness for Like a river, our ministry flows Press Association’s annual CBE. Like the river, our convention, CBE earned two ministry flows along every along every day, but there is awards for articles in day, but there is so much so much interesting life Priscilla Papers! Funmi interesting life teeming below Josephine Para-Mallam won teeming below the surface! the surface! Each day our staff fifth place in the category of anticipates discovering a new first-person account for her work of God. article “Why? Oh, Why Am I a Woman?” in the Fall We continue to receive correspondence and 2001 issue (Volume 15 Issue 4); and Patricia Donohueinquiries from all over the world, and to see interest in Carey took first place in poetry for her sonnet “Who biblical equality grow in specific places like Kenya, Was She?” in the Winter 2001 issue (Volume 15 Issue Sweden, the Philippines and Australia. Books 1). Incidentally, if you are a member, you may access donated by their authors have been sent to over 60 the past four issues of both Priscilla Papers and Christian colleges in India and other Third World Mutuality through the members-only section of our countries. Web site. If you do not know the password, contact This past month CBE sent its second issue of the me at jbloom@cbeinternational.org or 612-872-6898 to E-Quality Newsletter, an informative resource sent receive it. quarterly via e-mail. If you’d like to subscribe to this We continue preparing for our marriage list, you may sign up through our Web site, conference, “Marriage and the Family of God,” www.cbeinternational.org, by entering your e-mail coming up September 27-29 in Portland, Ore. It was a address in the “CBE Mailing List” box. joy to meet Jon and Carol Trott at Cornerstone In the office, we have much to praise God for — a Festival, and we look forward to seeing them again new server and back-up tape drive for our computer when they speak at the marriage conference. network, voice mail for our phone lines, and two new Generous donors have already contributed staff members who have helped to lighten the load for scholarship funds, and special discounts are available everyone. Our book service continues to add for students, groups of five people or more, and of inspiring new resources on a regular basis, the most course CBE members. Please don’t let finances be an current additions being Single Women: Challenge to the obstacle without looking into these opportunities. We Church?, and some wonderful children’s books (see hope to see you in Portland this fall! pages 19 and 20). God has always been faithful to this ministry, and CBE’s presence at Cornerstone Festival was more as we watch the new things he continually does in than we dreamed for our first year there. Read much CBE, we are excited about where this river will flow in more about this on page 16. So many of you offered the future! your prayers and financial support for this; we offer our humble thanks and blessings to you. ■ A generous friend has contributed $15,000 ($1,000 for every year of CBE’s ministry) to begin an Julia Bloom is CBE’s international and membership endowment fund for CBE. The interest made from coordinator.
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CBE 2001 Annual Report Income and Expense by Month Jan-Dec ‘01
■ Income ■ Expense
$ in 1,000s 80 60 40 20 0 Jan 01
Feb 01
Mar 01
Apr 01
May 01
Jun 01
Jul 01
Aug 01
2001 Revenues ($411,360)
Sep 01
Oct 01
Nov 01
Dec 01
Based on our audit, each year we publish an annual report for CBE members in Mutuality. The charts are a visual representation of our operating revenues and expenses. As you can see, our main expense is staff salaries. Yet, 70 percent of staff time is devoted to program — getting the message out! You will also notice our main source of revenue is individual donations. We are grateful to you — the CBE community! Because of your commitment and generosity, 2001 was a year of unprecedented growth. In 2001 we enjoyed an increase in contributions, book sales and conference registrations. Because giving tends to be lower in summer months, will you consider a special contribution this summer to keep programs such as our marriage conference moving forward? Thank you for your partnership in our vital work!
■ — Mimi Haddad
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www.cbeinternational.org
Fall 2002
■ Honor in Our Ranks Priscilla Papers, the scholarly journal of Christians for Biblical Equality, received two awards from the Evangelical Press Association at their convention in April 2002: a First Place award in the poetry category for “Who Was She” by Patricia Donohue-Carey (Winter 2001), and a Fifth Place in the first-person category for “Why? Oh Why Am I a Woman?” by Funmi Josephine Para-Mallam (Fall 2001). Global Women, an evangelical mission board specializing in worldwide ministry and witness through women, was formed in December 2001. Global Women’s Web site (www.globalwomengo.org) says, “The organization will work through voluntary core groups and networks formed around issues and opportunities concerning the global ministry of women. Through these networks Global Women hopes to be advocates for women and action agents to enable women to serve globally in the name of Jesus.”
■ Honor Someone Special through a CBE Honor Gift Honor someone you love by making a special contribution in his or her name. Occasions to consider: • Birthdays • Anniversaries • Graduations • Weddings • Ordinations • Birth of a new child • Memorials • Gratitude for one’s parents, siblings, friends, pastors, youth leaders, choir director, mentor, or anyone who has made a contribution to your life.
❑ Yes, I want to remember the following persons with a special Honor Gift Enclosed is my tax-deductible honor gift of $____________ In Honor Of: _______________________________________ On the Occasion Of:__________________________________ CBE would love to honor your someone special in the next issue of Mutuality. Your special message: ___________________________________________________
Richard J. Mouw received an Award of Merit in Christianity Today’s 2002 book awards contest for He Shines in All That’s Fair: Culture and Common Grace (Eerdmans). About 200 pastors, scholars and church leaders judged more than 200 entries to determine the winning books. Mouw is the president of Fuller Theological Seminary in Pasadena, Calif. Kurt Landré was a runner up in Silent Plant Records’ Mark Heard Songwriting Contest, an opportunity for amateur, independent artists to have their original songs judged by a panel of industry professionals. As a finalist, Kurt performed his song, “Snake in the Grass,” with his wife, Lynn, at the Cornerstone Festival in Bushnell, Ill., a music festival attended by about 27,000 people.
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Fall 2002
____________________________________________________
❑ Please send the acknowledgement to: Name ______________________________________________ Address ____________________________________________ City _________________________State ____ ZIP _________
❑ Send the acknowledgement to me, so I can present it personally: Your name __________________________________________ Address ____________________________________________ City _________________________State _____ ZIP ________
❑ I authorize CBE to charge my credit card for the above contribution. ___ Visa ___MasterCard ___ Discover ___American Express Expiration Date ___ / ___ Authorized Signature __________________________
Please clip and mail to: Christians for Biblical Equality 122 West Franklin Ave., Suite 218 Minneapolis, MN 55404-2451
www.cbeinternational.org
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■ Prayer Update
• Opportunities to partner with like-minded ministries and evangelical church and ministry leaders. • Providing needed help for CBE staff; new administrative assistant Beth McGrew and summer intern Sarah Kielsmeier. • Faithful provision for growing CBE’s ministry. • CBE’s new server and backup equipment.
We Praise God… We Thank God… We Pray to God… [We] will praise you for ever for what you have done; In your name [we] will hope, for your name is good. [We] will praise you in the presence of your saints. Psalm 52:9 NIVI
We praise God for… • CBE’s presence at the Cornerstone Festival in Illinois during July; the opportunity to reach out to 27,000 attendees and for Mimi’s series of lectures. • Opportunities to be featured in both the secular and religious press: FaithWorks magazine, Christian Century, Minnesota Christian Chronicle, Prism, Cornerstone, The Ledger (Lakeland, Fla.) and on several radio stations. • Continued growth of CBE’s ministry through the Internet, conferences, chapters, book service, membership, articles and free information packets. • Continued focus on CBE’s mission and bringing biblical equality to academicians, pastors, denominations, missions and students. [We] will give thanks to the Lord because of his righteousness And will sing praise to the name of the Lord Most High. Psalm 7:17 NIVI
We thank God for… • Opportunities to bring the message of biblical equality to Christians around the world, especially in those places where women are most discouraged, abused or ignored. • Opportunity to host a booth at the American Theological Library Association conference in Saint Paul; CBE volunteers Faith Totushek and Christine Baynes helped distribute free copies of Priscilla Papers and catalogs to hundreds of librarians. EQUIPMENT ENTHUSIASM: The CBE staff is grateful for its new computer server and backup system, built and installed by IT Coordinator Nathan St. Clair (shown here). 24 MUTUALITY
Please pray daily for CBE, honoring Galatians 3:28. The Lord your God is with you, he is mighty to save. He will take great delight in you, He will quiet you with his love, He will rejoice over you with singing. Zephaniah 3:17 NIVI
Please pray to God for… Ministry • Healing and restoration for women and men suffering worldwide. • Health and welfare of CBE members during the struggling economy. • Fire-touched areas in the western United States; providence for those who have lost homes, businesses and loved ones. • Encouragement and support for women in ministry who are held back from using all of their gifts. • Encouragement for individuals who are working to forward the message of biblical equality. • Encouragement and discernment for many churches that are examining gender-based roles. • Development of adult education church curriculum and leadership training for chapters and churches. • An increased presence on Christian college and university campuses through Priscilla Papers subscriptions. • Continued opportunities to partner with likeminded ministries to forward the message. • Continued opportunities and funds to bring CBE’s resources and speakers to church, college and ministry centers. General Office Needs • Sustainability of CBE in the areas of finance, budget, resources, publications, chapters, membership, equipment and staff. • Wisdom in the use of CBE’s resources; that God would reveal ways to save money. • Redesigning CBE’s Web site to include audio and video; increasing CBE’s profile on the Internet through the use of Web search engines. • Upgrading our communication and mailing systems.
www.cbeinternational.org
Fall 2002
Conferences • CBE’s marriage conference “Marriage and the Family of God” in Portland, Ore., from September 27-29, 2002: conference preparations, health and safe travel for speakers, workshop leaders, panelists, musicians, dramatists, staff and volunteers. • God would encourage many to attend the marriage conference; that those who need and want to attend will be able to do so. • Staff, as we produce conference materials, address last minute details and make arrangements to travel to Portland; that all things would come together gracefully and on time. • CBE’s 8th International Conference, “Celebrating the Priesthood of All Believers, Serving Christ as an International Community” in Orlando, Fla., from August 8-10, 2003; conference preparations for all involved. Book Service • The many individuals reached through CBE’s book service at the Cornerstone Festival in July. • Preparations for the Portland conference in September; placing and delivery of book orders, setup of bookstore and the opportunity to work with volunteers. • New book orders and contacts. Chapters • Chicago Chapter: opportunities to share personal journeys and promote gender equality in their churches and denominations. • Houston area: CBE members interested in forming a chapter. • North Texas Chapter: new leadership for chapter. • Toronto chapter in process. • Wheaton College Chapter, Students for Biblical Equality. • Smokey Mountain Chapter: opportunities to connect with the community. • Leadership to form an Australian chapter. • Leadership to form a chapter in Ontario, Canada. International • Health and safety of those living in trouble spots of the world, especially those serving in China, India, Hungary, Pakistan, Holland, Nepal, Romania, Australia, South Africa, Kashmir, Egypt and Swaziland. • Translations of CBE’s Statement into Dutch, Modern Hebrew, Swahili and Urdu.
Fall 2002
Prayers for Members • Health/Illness/Surgery Steve, Betty, Bob, Dan, Barbara, Monica, Jenny, Michelle, Razia, Betty Jo, Jedidiah, Vickie, Elsa, Julia, Carrie, Ruth, Janet, LaVonne, Harry, Colleen, Patty, Phil, Mary, Doug, Stina, John, Alan, Sally, Bill, Cathy, Shiela, Laura, Winnie, Angela, Peter, Carolyn, George, Holly, Emily, Tom, Stanley, Jean, Matt, Allison, Alvera, Maureen, Tony, Ella, Jeanine, Greg, Nancy. • Home/Family Kyle, Melanie, Elizabeth, John, Kim, John, Allison, David, Mike, Brent, Christy, Sherry, Erik, Kari, Nancy, Bob, Richard, Carol, Jean, Lisa, Jan, Kathy, Margo, Nat, Lisa, Sandy, Rachel, Sharon, Sally, Amanda, Emily, Diana, Jackie, Janice, Tom, Faith, Dan, Lisa, Bill, Patricia, Jill, Seth. • Career/Ministry/Travel Harriet, Dawn, Jeffrey, Mimi, Nathan, Peggy, Carol, Nate, Willie, Pauline, Polly, JoEllen, Sharon, Jeff, Laura, Becky, Riaz, Christiana, Kim, Susan, Pamela, Betty, Leona, Delbert, Elsa, Winnie, Nita, Lola, Richard, Jocelyn, Anne, Tom, Mary Ellen, Linda, Mary, Sharon, Stanley, Becca, Eileen, Ed, Coralee, Hillary, Dave, Julie, Doug, Saoirse, Talitha, Tom, Ella, David, Austin, Joan, Sherry, Marie, Heather, William, Becky, Fidel, Joaquin, Galen, Delia, Anita, Elke, Dorcas, Margery, Sandy, Joanna, Martine, Maureen, Bill, Tammy, Elizabeth, Kathy, Patricia, Chris, Brent, Anne, Arlyn, Larry, Mark, Jim, Dick, Lynn, Scot, Susan, Howard, Patricia, Micah, Deb, Amy, Dennis, JB, Brian, Carmen, Nancy, Mark, Becky, John, Paul, Sally, Sharon, Sarah, Ruby, Ron, Ann, Erik, Virginia, Susan, Barb, Debra, Loren, Lianne, Phyllis, Azim, Anita, Sue, Laura, Brad, Cynthia, Nonie, Uri, DJ, Erika, Christianne, Evelyn, Tony, Stina, Phillip, Rene, Caroline, Elaine, John, Raewyn, Stacy, Reba, Sara, Mary. May our Lord Jesus Christ himself and God our Father who loved us and by his grace gave us eternal encouragement and good hope, encourage your hearts and strengthen you in every good deed and word. 2 Thessalonians 2: 16-17 NIVI
■ Scriptures and meditations provided by Susan McCoubrie, one of the founders of CBE and retired staff member. Prayer items recorded by Mary Gonsior from daily staff prayer.
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■ The Chapters Corner
United States Alabama Birmingham Chapter The leaders in Birmingham are looking for people who might be interested in starting a prayer and study group. If interested, contact Jane at Janepuppy@aol.com.
The chapter planned a beach bonfire in July and an informal coffeehouse get-together on August 9. The next full chapter meeting and lunch is scheduled for Saturday, September 14, from 12:00-2:30 p.m. For more information, contact Cathy or Phil Van Loon at cvanloon@jps.net or (831) 429-1958.
California
Colorado
Chico Chapter The Chico chapter recently explored two important topics — God’s love, and God’s view of power. In May, the Reverend Toni Hartman shared her faith journey, which led her down many paths before landing firmly in the arms of Jesus. Her story is a testimony to the patience and persistence of God’s love. In June, Reverend Peter Shaw taught on “The Biblical View of Power,” showing how radical Jesus was in laying down his power. Though the group is taking a break for the summer, they will start up again with a fellowship night in August. For more information, contact Sharon at chicocbe@hotmail.com. Los Angeles Chapter This chapter finished their year with a book study on Beyond Rhetoric by Samuel Hines and Curtiss De Young. Next year they will finish studying this book and then study Equal to the Task by Ruth Haley Barton. They will resume meeting in the fall. For more information, contact Betsy at Eglanville@aol.com. Santa Cruz Chapter In June, this chapter explored many questions dealing with shame, such as: How do I give God’s grace to those I disagree with? Where in my life does God want to save me from shame? Who does God want me to honor? Their springboard for discussion was a chapter from Male and Female in Christ by Carrie A. Miles and Laurence R. Iannoccone.
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Pike’s Peak Chapter This group met for a planning meeting and dinner in June. They have been active throughout the year and would love to have anyone interested in their area join them! For more information, contact cbe_coloradosprings@hotmail.com.
Illinois Chicago Chapter A small group has formed in the Chicago area to pray for CBE, share personal journeys, and discuss how they can promote gender equality in their churches and denominations. They are hoping that other small groups will form with similar ambitions. For more information, contact Virginia at Virginia@enteract.com.
Minnesota On May 4, CBE members in the Twin Cities enjoyed a tour of the Minneapolis Art Institute, led by CBE member and art docent Marilyn Cramolini. The tour highlighted the contributions of women, and following the tour, CBE members and friends enjoyed lunch together at the museum cafe. The next tour will be held on Saturday, August 24, at 10 a.m., featuring African and Chinese art exhibits. For more information, contact Sarah Edwards at Sedwards@cbeinternational.org.
Ohio
Cathy Van Loon cranks homemade ice cream during a Santa Cruz Chapter lunch.
Chapter Revival! The Ohio chapter steering committee met in May, at which Brenda Colijn delivered a lecture entitled “A Biblical Theology of Women in Leadership.” The group is organizing informal summer picnics, with plans to start formal meetings in the fall. For more information, contact Brenda at bcolijn@ashland.edu.
www.cbeinternational.org
Fall 2002
Tennessee Smoky Mountain Chapter In May, Monroe Free, president of Knox Area Rescue Ministries, and his wife, Lisa, former director of the Serenity Shelter, spoke on “Our Journey Towards Biblical Equality.” They discussed how biblical equality is more than a theological debate, with far-reaching effects into our culture. Lisa and Monroe have both seen the devastating effects of Scripture being misinterpreted in ways that have provided a context for violence in relationships. For more information, contact Becky at bprenshaw@yahoo.com.
Texas Houston Area Some members in the Houston area are interested in forming a CBE chapter there. If you are interested, please contact Ruby at randrreds@earthlink.net. North Texas Chapter The North Texas chapter is in transition. If you are interested in being a part of this chapter, please contact Sue at CBETX@aol.com.
International South Africa About 30 women attended a “Safari Tea” in May, where everyone dressed in safari gear and enjoyed tea and biscuits. The values of CBE were shared and the next study introduced. The group is now studying: God’s full image, Jesus and women, Paul and the use of authority, and Paul and headship. For more information, contact Ethel at epittaway@xsinet.co.za.
Canada Toronto The Toronto group has been working for several months as a chapter in process. Their book studies have included Gilbert Bilezekian’s Beyond Sex Roles and Gretchen Gaebelein Hull’s Equal to Serve. In March, the chapter hosted a book table at Toronto’s Mission Fest, where they featured books on the topic of women in missions. The experience was positive, as they were able to engage in discussion with many people about CBE and biblical equality. CBE members in Toronto had the opportunity to meet with Lillian Whitmore, a former chapter leader in Vancouver, and there was a fruitful exchange of ideas. The group enjoyed a barbecue together, and fellowship is growing in Toronto. For more information, contact Karen at Karen_Jutzi@edu.yorku.ca.
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Fall 2002
New CBE Staff:
Morzov Coordinates Conference By Michelle Morzov
M
oving cross-country from Southern California to Minneapolis was definitely one of the most difficult decisions that I have ever made. Like many Los Angeles natives, I had always sworn that I would never live anywhere else, especially not somewhere with snow. But God had a different plan. After graduating from University of California, Santa Barbara with a major in English and an emphasis in women’s studies, I had made plans to attend Fuller Seminary in Pasadena and enroll in their master’s of theology program. As I was preparing myself to begin the program, the opportunity arose for me to apply for the conference coordinator position at CBE. I was thrilled, because CBE has always played such a significant role in my life. While I was growing up, my mom, an ordained Nazarene pastor, always made sure that I attended as many CBE events as possible. She wanted to instill in me the knowledge that men and women are equal in the eyes of God and can use their gifts for the kingdom. CBE was instrumental in my calling to go to seminary, because even when others doubted due to my gender, it was the direct support of CBE and the truths established by my parents that helped me to stand strong. Being a part of CBE, as a member and as an employee, has been one of the greatest joys in my life. To work for an organization that I feel so passionately about is such a blessing. Through planning the upcoming Portland marriage conference I have been able to see firsthand how integral CBE and its ministry is in healing and restoring marriages that have been broken by bonds of traditionalism and hierarchy. Now as I establish my life here in Minneapolis, I am also beginning my seminary career at Luther Seminary in St. Paul. In this, as in so many things, I was reminded that God is in the driver’s seat of my life. He holds my future; I need to turn everything over to him. And when I did, he drove me straight to Minnesota.
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CBE and Students Profit from Internships tudent internships at Christians for Biblical Equality provide benefits for both the students and the organization. Elsa Petersen, a junior English major at Bethel College in St. Paul, Minn., worked as an editorial intern in the spring of 2002. Her Esla Petersen tasks involved writing, editing and some layout work for the 2002 catalog, Mutuality and CBE donor newsletters. “I’m so glad [to] get my feet wet in writing and publishing,” said Petersen. “I learned so many things during those four months that I could never have learned in Sarah the classroom.” Kielsmeier But working for CBE brought other benefits as well: Petersen learned about biblical equality and about relationships within the church. “Before coming to work here, I never even thought about mutuality in marriage,” she said. “Having words to put to the vision I have of my future marriage has been a great blessing.” Sarah Kielsmeier, a junior at Wheaton College in Wheaton, Ill., worked at CBE in the summer of 2002 as an intern. She participated in many major projects, including representing CBE at the Cornerstone Festival booth in Bushnell, Ill.
Being around people who knew so much about the Bible and its support for equality was valuable, said Kielsmeier. She cited experiencing “a supportive, loving community” as one of the important features of her internship. Because Kielsmeier will serve this fall as president of Wheaton’s student chapter, Students for Biblical Equality, she said the internship provided her with information about how to make change in Christian communities, and with motivation to be a strong advocate of biblical equality. “Working at CBE has definitely changed my vision and involvement at my school next year,” she said. “I’ve learned many valuable strategies for continuing this work in my college community and hope that this will lead to positive changes at my college.” These two student interns are visionary changeagents, according to President Mimi Haddad, and they have made significant changes to the way CBE does ministry. “While we expected to spend time teaching, more often we were the students and they our mentors,” says Haddad. “With each student, we found new mental portals for what was possible at CBE. We praise God for their leadership.”
CBE Author to Speak in Pittsburgh
Donate $1,000 and Receive a Concordance
S
G
ilbert Bilezikian, author of Community 101 and Beyond Sex Roles will speak at Beverly Heights United Presbyterian Church from September 13-15. Bilezikian will speak about community and how men and women are biblically called to relate to one another in the home and Gilbert Bilezikian in the church. Beverly Heights United Presbyterian Church is located at 1207 Washington Road in Mt. Lebanon, Penn. For more details, call 412561-5100 or visit www.beverlyheightschurch.org.
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■ — Joanne Nystrom Janssen To apply for a CBE internship, please send an inquiry to cbe@cbeinternational.org.
Have you been meaning to join CBE’s Partners Program by contributing $1,000 or more per year? At the end of 2001, we offered a free copy of The Analytical Concordance to the New Revised Standard Version of the New Testament by Richard Whitaker and John R. Kohlenberger III to new gifts of $1,000 or more. Because we still have a few left, we’re extending the offer. Hurry — concordances are available while supplies last! Donate online at www.cbeinternational.org, and we will send you this valuable resource.
www.cbeinternational.org
Fall 2002
Journal Gains Exposure Among Librarians
CBE’s Leave a Legacy Initative
C
hristians for Biblical Equality hosted a booth at the American Theological Library Association’s (ATLA) conference in St. Paul, Minn., from June 20-21, 2002. Chicago-based ATLA is a professional association supporting theological and Christine religious studies libraries and Baynes librarians, with 800 individual and institutional members. At the conference, CBE gained exposure for its scholarly journal Priscilla Papers among staff at university and seminary libraries, and strengthened CBE’s relationship with libraries in North Faith Totushek America. Mary Gonsior, who coordinates library subscriptions to Priscilla Papers, represented CBE at the booth, along with volunteers Faith Totushek and Christine Baynes. Gonsior noted that the booth was well attended, and she was able to introduce many librarians to CBE and Priscilla Papers. Volunteer Totushek enjoyed the conference, especially the chance to speak with a particular library student who was interested in the difference between the more radical feminist and a biblical egalitarian. This student took some informational materials from the booth. Baynes said she was impressed with how positively people felt about CBE. The librarians she met were particularly impressed by the scholarly research of Priscilla Papers. “Helping out at the conference was a wonderful experience for me that reaffirmed my faith and encouraged me to keep on top of my readings regarding biblical equality,” said Baynes.
■ — Joanne Nystrom Janssen
E
ach of us wants to know that the things in which we’ve contributed time and money will last long after we’ve entered Christ’s presence. How wonderful to know that you can continue to give to the work of CBE, even after your earthly pilgrimage has ended. By joining CBE’s Leave a Legacy Initiative, you continue to exercise stewardship over the blessings of your life. By naming CBE as one of the benefactors in your will, trust, insurance policy or estate plan, you give a gift that becomes a legacy — a helping hand to those who come after you looking for answers regarding gender and the Bible. If you would like to learn more about this plan, we would be honored to discuss the details more fully. Or, if you have already included CBE in your estate, will or insurance policy, please let us know. We would love to include your name. Simply contact Sarah Edwards by e-mail, sedwards@cbeinternational.org, by phone 612-8726898, or mail CBE, 122 W. Franklin Ave., #218, Minneapolis, MN 55404. First class of CBE’s Leave a Legacy Initiative Sara Robertson Virginia Patterson Tom and Missy McCarthy Jocelyn Garner Lilya Wagner Cosette Jolliff Mary Hackman Alvera Mickelsen JoAnn Leiffers and John Swart Carl and Bernice Menold Janis and Wes Balda
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■ In Honor Of
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iz Mosbo VerHage has given a contribution to Christians for Biblical Equality in honor of her third marriage anniversary. To her husband, Peter B.M. VerHage, she says, “For being my best friend, my fan club, my favorite, my only — thanks for being you!”
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■ President’s Message MIMI HADDAD
A Church in God’s Image
M
y Lebanese uncle appeared in our home for the first time when I was 9 years old. Dressed in a long robe, he held prayer beads and spoke Arabic with great animation. He was an avid collector of icons that revered our ancient Christian heritage. I was ashamed of his oddity. My father explained that we needed to love him, regardless of his clothes and mannerisms. With pride my father recalled how his brother spoke many languages, was highly educated and ran a successful international business. To my young mind, however, my uncle’s otherness seemed insurmountable. Multicolored mohawks, pierced and tattooed bodies, bizarre clothes and loud music rocked my senses our first day at the Cornerstone Festival this July. How would those of us at the CBE booth begin a discussion with these alternative Christians who seemed so different than us? Did we make the right decision to attend? Yet, within one day we engaged in some of the most intelligent and poignant conversation we’ve ever had. Fest-goers were family, and they deserved our love and embrace. When we shut our eyes and imagine the ideal church, how many of us visualize my uncle or the folks from the Cornerstone Festival sitting in the pews? Or, do we imagine a church comprised of people who look and sound just like us? The history of God’s people seems to be one of “exclusion or embrace,” a struggle documented by Yale University’s Miroslav Volf. While the strict codes of the Pharisees and Sadducees in New Testament times made it clear who were the insiders and outsiders, how different was the birthday of the church! Pentecost was an explosion of dissimilar people, as the outsiders joined the insiders: Men and women from many tribes and nations were
united by the Holy Spirit as family. Women, men, slaves, Greeks, Jews and tax collectors became the church, and their radical love for each other gave rise to a global community — born of the Spirit. What makes Christians peculiar is our radical inclusion. We are nearer our brothers and sisters in Christ than we are to our own kin, culture or race. Newness in Christ works against the human impulse to exclude those culturally different from us. On this point CBE is clear. CBE has challenged the church to live out the message of Galatians 3:28: “In Christ there is neither Jew nor Greek, neither slave nor free, neither male nor female.” In the CBE community we view Galatians 3:28 as “the eye of the New Testament,” as F.F. Bruce noted. Because Scripture never aligns Christians or their spiritual gifts with gender, class or race, we promote the truth that any believer may serve in any church office if so gifted by God. We seek to empower the gifts of all Christians, regardless of their cultural package. We are blind when we embrace! I thank God for my family and for groups like those at the Cornerstone Festival. Both enlarge my image of the church. Whether it is comfortable or not, the fundamental call of biblical equality is to embrace and empower our brothers and sisters, regardless of hair color, body piercing or foreign accent — God’s church in his image, not ours. Who would rather stare in the mirror, when the glorious image of God awaits us in those Christ calls his own?
“Whether it is comfortable or not, the fundamental call of biblical equality is to embrace and empower our brothers and sisters, regardless of hair color, body piercing or foreign accent — God’s church in his image, not ours.”
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■ Mimi Haddad is the president of CBE.
www.cbeinternational.org
Fall 2002
Core Values Christians for Biblical Equality is an organization of Christian men and women who believe that the Bible, properly interpreted, teaches the fundamental equality of men and women of all racial and ethnic groups, all economic classes, and all age groups, based on the teaching of Galatians 3:28 — There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither slave nor free, there is neither male nor female; for you are all one in Christ Jesus. Core Values We believe… • The Bible teaches the equality of women and men. • God has given each person gifts to be used for the good of Christ’s kingdom. • Christians are to develop and exercise their God-given gifts in home, church and society. Mission Statement CBE equips believers by affirming the biblical truth of equality. Thus all believers, without regard to gender, race and class are free and encouraged to use their God-given gifts in families, ministries and communities. Core Purpose To broadly communicate the biblical truth that men and women are equally responsible to use their God-given gifts to further Christ’s kingdom. Envisioned Future CBE envisions a future where all believers will exercise their gifts for God’s glory, with the full support of the Christian community.
CBE membership is available to those who support CBE’s Statement of Faith. Members receive quarterly issues of CBE’s newsmagazine, Mutuality, and CBE’s educational journal, Priscilla Papers. Members are eligible for discounts on items from CBE’s Book Service, including books, articles, tapes and videos. Members are also offered discounts on all international CBE conferences.
CBE Membership Application Enclosed is my yearly CBE membership fee. All fees are in US dollars. Please check one: United States __ Individual Membership __ Household __ Low Income __ Library Subscription International __ Individual Membership __ Household __ Low Income __ Library Subscription
3 Years $ 95 $140
1 Year $35 $50 $20 $30
$ 85 $122 $167
$44 $59 $29 $39
$112
Additional contribution: ________________________ TOTAL ENCLOSED: __________________________ CBE is an exempt organization as described in IRC Sec. 501(c)3 and as such, donations in excess of the basic membership fee may qualify as a charitable contribution where allowed by law.
Name ________________________________________ Address ______________________________________
Statement of Faith
City__________________________________________
We believe the Bible is the inspired Word of God, is reliable, and is the final authority for faith and practice. We believe in the unity and trinity of God, eternally existing as three equal persons. We believe in the full deity and full humanity of Jesus Christ. We believe in the sinfulness of all persons. One result of sin is shattered relationships with God, others, and self. 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. 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 believers. We believe in the equality and essential dignity of men and women of all races, ages, and classes. We recognize that all persons are made in the image of God and are to reflect that image in the community of believers, in the home, and in society. We believe that men and women are to diligently develop and use their God-given gifts for the good of the home, church, and society. We believe in the family, celibate singleness, and faithful heterosexual marriage as the patterns God designed for us.
Fall 2002
State/Prov __________ ZIP/Postal Code__________ Phone _______________________________________ E-mail _______________________________________ __ I authorize CBE to charge my credit card for the above contributions. __ MasterCard __ Visa __ Discover __American Express
Card Number _________________________________ Expiration Date _____/_____ Authorized Signature __________________________ Please mail to: Christians for Biblical Equality, 122 West Franklin Ave., Suite 218 Minneapolis, MN 55404-2451 Phone: (612) 872-6898; Fax: (612) 872-6891 E-mail: cbe@cbeinternational.org Web site: http://www.cbeinternational.org
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What does the Bible really teach about marriage?
MARRIAGE AND THE
FAMILY OF GOD A Christians for Biblical Equality Conference
SEPT. 27-29, 2002 PORTLAND, OR
general sessions
Love, Listening, and Forgiveness: Why Submission Is a Two-Way Street
After She Nailed His Pants to the Floor: Communication and Sex
Jon Trott and Carol Elaine Trott (7 p.m. Fri.)
John Temple Bristow (7:30 p.m. Sat.)
When “My Way” Became “Our Way”: How Biblical Equality Changed Our Tune
Freedom of Service: Serving and Empowering Others
John and Carolyn Kohlenberger (9 a.m. Sat.)
John Kohlenberger (9 a.m. Sun.)
plus 10 workshops, music, drama, and couples’ panel!
Check our Web site for complete conference details: www.cbeinternational.org
Christians for Biblical Equality 122 West Franklin Ave. Suite 218 Minneapolis, MN 55404-2451