The CBE Scroll

We still invite comments about the conference  and also there is a new comment by Anca on the post re Titus 2 (see below)

Good questions which deserve solid answers. I’m sure there are some from the Scroll community who would love to contribute.

Now that most of you are back home and adjusting to ‘normal’ life, how about writing a few lines to let everyone know what you enjoyed about the recent CBE conference. If you haven’t commented before, the process is simple….just click on ‘Comments’ below the post and then when the screen comes up, write in the box. If you are asked for your email, it is quite safe as only the admin. people will have access to that information.

The display tables are sitting there bare and lonely, only a few of us are left in the hotel and a wonderful weekend of information and fellowship is all but finished. So many friendships made – so much new information to process – such a sense of it all being so worthwhile. “See you in Melbourne” was an oft-repeated phrase as folks talked of Australia, weather, food and accents. It would be an absolute blessing to have a bunch of CBE people in Australia next year. This time we had people from four continents attending; people ranging in age from babies to 80+ yr olds and all enjoying each other’s company immensely.

Many books were sold (and not a few given away) and items sold at the Silent Auction. The evaluation forms will tell stories of ‘one of the best conferences ever’. I’m sure many of us will go back to our homes and churches with a new vigour and excitement about sharing the good news about God’s plan for equality in all areas of our lives. Lots of questions were raised, thought about, discussed and answered in an atmosphere of open-ness and safety to express opinions and ideas.

Yes….’echoes of Eden’ over and over again.

The whole thrust of this conference is the issue of gender (pink & blue?) What constitutes gender ? How much are we influenced by the culture around us and particularly the Christian culture ?

Tonight we had an excellent demonstration of the marketing of gender division through Christian bookstores. Jenell Paris who is an anthropologist as well as a wife and mother, very ably showed how gender stereotypes are projected through Christian marketing from as early as babyhood. Through a power point presentation she displayed the different books and novelty items for boys and girls right through to books on young adults and marriage. The images conveyed very direct messages about how girls and boys are presumed to be different and caused much laughter even though it is in reality such a serious subject with far – reaching consequences.  The overall thrust was that girls are portrayed as fluffy, pink, needing direction, prone to depression and generally not very strong. Boys on the other hand were encouraged to be strong, warrior types with exciting, adventurous lives. All this showed that there are strong gender messages being portrayed which are not only un-helpful but certainly not what God intended when he created people female and male in the beginning.

Maybe some readers have experiences of this kind of marketing in your country – please share it with us.

Well, it’s nearly midnight and we have only just left a group where we’ve been listening to some amazing stories of how people have come to an understanding of biblical equality.

It’s not only the wonderful speakers, the wide variety of workshops, the bookshop and other information booths, but the conversations which emerge as we get to know one another. People from different countries and cultures with diverse experiences all feeling the freedom to talk and share their stories.

Someone has used the phrase ‘echo of Eden’ and that’s just how it seems – relationships as God intended – without shame and judgment and acceptance of who we are and the journey we are on together. A foretaste of an eternity of being all we were created to be!

If you happen to be within striking distance of St Louis, there’s still time to get to the Hilton Frontenac for Saturday and Sunday morning meetings and electives. You can also check the CBE website later to find out what recordings and DVDs will be available.

Next time I will list some of the topics covered and the speakers and maybe some will stir your interest. You may even want to ask questions related to some of the issues raised. Watch this space!!