Profiles
The Blog Team
Introductions and Personal Comments
Anna
I grew up in rural Ohio and graduated from Miami University with a degree in psychology and then married my husband Ryan. I spent time as a child welfare caseworker in Cincinnati before moving to northern Indiana where I now work in the juvenile detention center providing mental health services. I also am passionate about horses (especially therapeutic riding), coffee and all things relating to words.
I have seen many of my friends (myself included) hurt by traditional gender stereotypes and I seek to empower women to stand up for themselves and learn the great value they have as women – one that is equal to that of men. I have a great passion for the population of underprivileged and neglected children I have worked with and strive to bring to them the love and compassion of Christ. I desire to bring hope, healing, justice, and freedom to all who are experiencing any form of oppression.
Ashleigh
Ashleigh recently graduated from University of North Carolina-Chapel Hill with a Political Science major and Afro-American Studies minor. During college she was involved in ministry on UNC’s campus, most recently as 2006-2008 Multi-Ethnicity Team Leader on the Exec of her school’s chapter of InterVarsity Christian Fellowship. In the fall she’ll be moving to the West Coast to begin work on her MDiv.
“I’m a total nerd and love reading books, following the U.S. elections, and blogging; I also love people and building community. I’m passionate about social justice, I eat lots of Thai food, and I’m energized by different cultures (as well as getting in touch with my Euro-Americanness!).”
“I was weird in that I found CBE through an Internet search when I was 16 and first beginning to wrestle with gender issues. Finding an evangelical community—even a virtual one—that supported women’s equality was very significant in my spiritual journey.”
Brandon
“I have a Ph.D. from Westminster Theological Seminary (Philadelphia, PA) and teach the history of Christianity at Winebrenner Theological Seminary (Findlay, OH). I enjoy reading (mostly history, theology, and science), writing (books, essays, and blogs), and graphic design.”
“CBE represents an important step in redemptive history, one that corrects injustices of the past.”
I’m a member so that I may add my voice to CBE’s, in the hope of reforming the church’s understanding of what Scripture really says about gender.”
DP
“I love exploring foreign cultures — learning their histories and languages (and eating their food!). I would travel more if I had the time and money to do so. My hobbies include genealogy, reading, cooking, and reading to my daughter Rebecca. My favorite place to be is wherever my wife Connie is.”
“Biblical equality is just one aspect of what I understand to be the thrust of Jesus’ teaching about the Kingdom of God. Embracing Biblical equality was a process that began in seminary as my concepts of church and discipleship were expanded from a very narrow emphasis on “getting people saved” to a more holistic perspective that involves the transformation of human lives and all of society. I discovered CBE at a Society of Biblical Literature convention and was pleasantly surprised to find an organization that argued for Biblical equality from a high view of Scripture and commitment to evangelical theology.”
HS
Heather Scheiwe, originally from Colorado, resides in Chicago, Illinois. She is a mediator in the Cook County court system and, with the support of the Skadden Fellowship Foundation and Resolutions Systems Institute, is developing court mediation programs throughout Illinois. She enjoys volunteering with her church community and her neighborhood association, cooking with her husband Ben, and teaching dance to elementary school children.
Hubert Edgar
If you’ve seen a picture of Santa in his red suit, you have a pretty good idea what I look like. It’s kinda fun through the year to have children and adults “recognize” me.
I live in Minneapolis but am originally from Oklahoma and will always consider myself a Southern boy. I was raised in a Fundamentalist home and am still Fundamentalist in many ways. However, I’ve decided Dispensationalism isn’t right and I’m an egalitarian. I’m also pro-choice, post-tribulation rapture and, despite my strong Calvinist background, am adamant about the free will of humans.
My wife and I have been married over 30 years. We have no children, originally by necessity, then by choice. We both suffer from severe depression/anxiety. I have two suicide attempts behind me and a hospitalization to avoid a third.
My grandfather Seavy was a Christian Church minister. My father was an Independent minister. I was supposed to be next, but God had my sister, Anna, in mind for the third generation. She’s a Methodist minister.
JLP
JLP has had a lifelong interest in history, politics and economics. She is also interested in children’s mental health issues, and helping young people to avoid pornography and practice sexual abstinence. She majored in computer science as an undergraduate and worked for many years in the computer field. She recently completed a Master’s degree in Special Education, and plans to re-career as a teacher.
Liz
“I love playing the piano and singing, helping people praise God. Love leading Bible studies/training courses and speaking and seeing people changed as they know God’s word for themselves. I’m passionate about justice for all and am a defender of those who can’t speak for themselves.”
“Equality and restoration for both women and men is biblical. The goal of CBE is to educate on how the bible promotes equality and to empower people to work for justice. I believe that the work done at CBE by staff, members, and friends is redemptive to both individuals and communities. I am excited and honored to be a part of the Kingdom of God through the work of CBE.”
“We had been concerned about equality for years but had no access to informed theological thought. CBE is important because of its continuing resourcefulness and encouragement.”
Lynn
Lynn lives in Lawrence, Kansas, moderates discussion boards, and blogs in private spheres.
“My main interests are reading and drawing. I still play music but not as much as I used to. I am currently learning how to do better CG art. I also am admin on an RP site for kids and adults. Yes, I really do have dyslexia.”
“I grew up in a church that held that women were second class Christians. For this reason many of the girls in my high school youth group lost all interest in being Christians. The world offered better value on who they were and more acceptance. As I went to college and experienced new ways of thinking about scripture, I began to question if what I was raised with was correct. Maybe women could serve God in ways other than getting married and having kids. We moved from CA to KS where I met new friends who first introduced me to CBE. They were the perfect example of what a marriage of equals should look like. I have been learning more and more about what it truly means to be in Christ ever since.”
Marissa
Marissa lives in Minneapolis, MN and is currently working at CBE as a Research Assistant. She graduated from Bethel University with a degree in Biblical and Theological Studies. She is an avid reader and enjoys all types of literature. She tries to spend much of her time outside (even in the Minnesota winter!).
Mary Ann
Mary Ann is passionate about revealing and capturing God’s heart through words. An aspect of His heart that she loves to share is God’s plan for Biblical equality for humankind. She spends her days writing on her blogs, dialoguing with others about various controversial topics, translating Scriptures from Koine Greek, studying for her other seminary classes, and enjoying the beautiful egalitarian marriage that God has given her with a husband who values her as an equal, fellow image-bearer of God.
Megan
Megan is a graduate from Bethel University and is currently living in Saint Paul, MN. She is the editor of Mutuality magazine and serves as CBE’s membership coordinator. Megan loves psychology, art, and social justice. She also enjoys all kinds of baking and cake decorating.
“I want to be a part of a Church that is breaking down barriers and resisting stereotypes, because this is the example that Christ left us. We have the responsibility and the joy to make equality between all people a reality, and I am thankful that I can share this vision with those connected to CBE.”
Mindy
“I am a full-time writer and have been blogging about literature for several years. My husband, Brandon, and I co-wrote a five-volume Christian history series for ages 9-14, and now I’m working on a novel. I grew up on an apple orchard and the farm will always be home to me, but after living in Chicago and Philadelphia for 12 years, I love city life, too! One of my favorite pastimes is heading off to a new city to explore the museums, bookstores, ethnic restaurants, and coffee shops.”
“Justice is biblical. A lot of Christians use the word ‘biblical’ to describe their approach to gender issues, but I find that many of these approaches have more to do with personal agendas and pathologies than the culturally-transforming truth of Scripture. I support CBE because they are aggressive about promoting justice, but they do so with an attitude that reflects our divine calling to respect and honor one another as fellow image bearers of God.”
Rob
Rob is an electrical engineer and works in Denver, CO. He and his wife Sarah have a great dog and two cats. Their home in Colorado Springs is a bustling one. Sarah first introduced him to CBE when they were dating.
“I didn’t realize it until she got me thinking more about gender issues in the church, but I was definitely egalitarian for a very long time. I just didn’t have the words to express those feelings. CBE has helped me cement my convictions.”
Ronsmith
“I play golf as much as possible. My hobby other than golf is reading. I am interested in money management, teaching and learning about Biblical perspectives on stewardship. I have traveled in about a hundred nations as a missionary and preached in around fifty.”
“Biblical equality and CBE are important to me because good Biblical interpretation around these topics are central to missions and the ongoing promotion of the Gospel in the whole world. Also, I have seen too many women hurt by oppressive Biblical squelching.”
Ryan
I grew up in Akron, Ohio and graduated from Miami University with a degree in political science. After college, I married my wife Anna and spent two years working in Cincinnati, Ohio as a staff assistant for Senator George V. Voinovich. Currently, I am attending Notre Dame Law School working toward getting a J.D. My mission in life is to seek justice and bring holistic reconciliation to the world by protecting the helpless, caring for needy, comforting the brokenhearted, and liberating the oppressed.
I first became interested in gender equality a few months before proposing to Anna. Realizing I would be married in a year or so, I really wanted to understand why a less-capable husband should be the leader over his more-capable wife; it just didn’t make a lot of sense. I didn’t change my mind right away, but after a few months of searching and wrestling with the issue, I realized the Bible was literally overflowing with pleas for equality; I just hadn’t heard it.
Shawnarenee
Shawna R. B. Atteberry is a freelance writer in Chicago. She is a member of Grace Episcopal Church in the South Loop. Her husband, Tracy, is a computer software engineer for Oracle. Her writing includes biblical studies, theology, feminist theology, biblical egalitarianism, sermons, poetry, and urban fantasy. Outside of writing she likes to cook, sew, crochet, go for walks, and listen to great music in Grant Park over the summer.
Sonnet
“I love reading and searching after truth and justice. After realizing that complementarianism had led me into legalism, spiritual bondage, and idolatry of my husband, I became an egalitarian. Discovering spiritual gender equality has profoundly changed my life. I love the way that truth sets us free and restores our relationship with God, and I want to pass this on to others.”
Sonnet lives in Loveland, Colorado with her husband and three children. She graduated from Texas A&M University with a teaching degree. She enjoys reading, hiking, videography, playing the piano, and spending time with family and friends.
Trevor
“I was in the Australian navy and am tattooed. That was a drawcard in the early years of ministry. Mostly ministered among people who didn’t fit into ordinary church life. Love to see people radically changed as Christ works His mercy, forgiveness and grace into them from the inside out.”
“We discovered CBE through the writings of Rebecca Merrill Groothuis. It was incredibly important at the time because we were unaware that there was a body of literature and like-minded believers out there.”
