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 started asking questions about gender and the church as a high school student and found CBE at age 16. She participated in the Raleigh-Durham chapter of CBE during her undergrad years at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. Ashleigh also became interested in other social justice issues during this time, studying political science and Afro-American studies. In truth, however, Ashleigh “majored” in InterVarsity Christian Fellowship, serving on her chapter’s Coordinating Team for two years as Multi-Ethnicity Team Leader. Now in her mid-20s, Ashleigh graduates from Fuller Theological Seminary with an M.A. in Theology (Biblical Studies & Theology emphasis) in the summer of 2010. She is interested in pursuing further graduate studies in sociology of religion, but is thankful to have a year off in between programs! While not writing papers, Ashleigh enjoys reading non-fiction, watching Lost and The Office, blogging, Thai food, and relaxing outdoors with her husband Jeremiah.
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.”
Bridget Jack Jeffries
Bridget Jack Jeffries is a student at Trinity Evangelical Divinity School working on her MA in History of Christianity in America. She has a BA in Classical Studies with a minor in Hebrew from Brigham Young University. She is the wife of one husband, the mother of one, and a member of the Evangelical Covenant Church. Her interests include Mormon history, interfaith dialogue, and (of course) seeing that both women and men in the body of Christ are empowered to realize all of their gifts as the Spirit enables them.
Cheryl McGrath
I was born and raised in Sydney, Australia. I am a disciple of Jesus Christ, wife, mother, grandmother and ministry leader. I have been married for around 39 years and my husband supports and encourages me in ministry. We live with our two very active Springer Spaniels in the lovely seaside town of Coffs Harbour on the east coast of Australia. My early years in the church were spent during the seventies in a Pentecostal denomination where the submission of women in the home and church were taken for granted. I tried to conform but had too many questions for which there were too few satisfactory answers. Many years and several denominations later I became leader of a para-church ministry and experienced for myself first hand the subtle and not so subtle bias against women leaders within mainstream Christianity.
This compelled me to study the relevant scriptures on creation and womens’ role at a much deeper level. The more I studied the more astounded I became at the depth of misinformation and prejudice against women within Christ’s church. Among other ministry roles, I now run courses on gender equality for Christian women and am also involved in equipping African church leaders to bring the message of gender equality to poor rural churches in East Africa.
I joined CBE in order to learn more and access the wide teachings and resources available through them. On a personal level I feel my most important contribution to releasing Christian women into their full potential is to live my own life and ministry in full confidence of my calling as a daughter of God equal in priesthood and service with my brothers. In this way I can be an encouragement to women on the same journey.
I am passionate about raising women up as equal partners in the Kingdom of God and delighted to find so many others, both male and female, with the same commitment. I hope my occasional contributions will be a blessing and encouragement to the CBE Blog.
David Cramer
David is a doctoral student in Religion at Baylor University with an emphasis in theological ethics. He previously received an M.Div. and M.A. (philosophy of religion) from Trinity Evangelical Divinity School and has since taught in the Religion & Philosophy Division at his alma mater, Bethel College, Indiana. David’s article, “Creating a Culture of Equality as Witness to the Truth: A Philosophical Response to Gender Difference,” was a finalist for the student paper competition at the 2009 CBE Conference in St. Louis and was later published in the Summer 2010 issue of Priscilla Papers. Along with writing on gender, David’s research interests include Christian nonviolence and Anabaptist theology, especially the theological ethics of John Howard Yoder. He has published various articles and reviews on these topics in journals such as The Mennonite Quarterly Review, Christian Scholar’s Review, Philosophia Christi, Ethics & Medicine, and elsewhere. He is also co-editor of the forthcoming volume, The Activist Impulse: Essays on the Intersection of Evangelicalism and Anabaptism (Pickwick). A licensed minister in the Missionary Church, David is editor of the Missionary Church historical journal, Reflections. Outside of academics David is actively involved in the local church and enjoys spending time with his wife, Andrea, and their son, Wesley.
Don Johnson
I was an agnostic before seeing the Light. At first I believed that the Bible taught a family hierarchy and church elders could only be male, as that was what the Bible seemed to say and all the teachers I respected taught this. I went to a Christian counselor who suggested that there was another way of understanding the gender verses and suggested that I study both sides. I was totally convinced he was wrong, but agreed to study an egal book he recommended.
Reading that book was one of the most disorienting books I have ever read, as it was challenging my paradigm of interpreting Scripture. To discover that to read Scripture as if all of it was written personally to me was NOT a good way was revelatory, rather we should try our best to figure out what it meant to the original readers. I then saw how the hierarchy teaching harmed the body of Christ, repented and joined CBE.
Donald Guffey
I am a 22 year old holiness Pentecostal boy from the mountains of the Western North Carolina Mountains with a distinctly Appalachian accent and charm. I have an Associates degree in Early Childhood education and have worked with children with ages ranging from infant to school age for about 4 years. I am currently working on a BA degree in religious studies with a minor in Christian counseling online with Liberty University. Upon finishing my BA degree I plan to go on and earn a masters degree in professional counseling. I am also a youth minister and Sunday school superintendent at my church the Cornerstone Church of God. I am also a licensed independent Pentecostal minister.
I love the cause of CBE because it gave words to beliefs in equality I have held since my childhood. With my nature being noticeably softer than that of a wild hearted man I have given myself to the cause of fighting gender stereotyping in the church and my hope is to see it die in my generation. It is my hope that through my participation in CBE that more evangelicals from my generation will take up the clarion call that God has sent out in this hour. A call to summon the body of Christ to go forth into the harvest field to reap the harvest of souls, Male and Female hand in hand side by side in the equality that God created us to walk in Amen.
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.
JDM
My name is Jeff Miller. I grew up in Nebraska and remain a Cornhuskers (football) fan to this day. Since 1999 I have taught Bible and ministry at Milligan College, a Christian liberal arts college in eastern Tennessee. Before that I held youth and music ministries in Nebraska, Tennessee, and Colorado. For more than a decade, my wife Dana was a children’s minister (and a quite good one). She has, however, recently transitioned to a career in special education. We have two young-adult daughters.
Like many readers of The Scroll, I grew up complementarian by default. My mind and heart were eventually changed through a series of influences that even I cannot fully trace. I became familiar with CBE through their journal Priscilla Papers, and an advertisement in that journal gave me the idea of attending CBE’s conference in Bangalore, India. The conference was life-changing, and since then I have been enriched at CBE conferences in Denver, Toronto, St. Louis, Melbourne, and Seattle.
Beyond family, faith, and profession, my main interests are piano, hiking, and racquetball. If you’d like to go for a hike in the southern Appalachian Mountains, by all means send me a note!
Jeff
Jeff is a campus minister serving with InterVarsity Christian Fellowship at Wake Forest University, where he and his wife Anna are working to establish witnessing communities of graduate students and faculty. Originally from the United Kingdom, Jeff went to high school in suburban Las Vegas and college and seminary at Samford University in Birmingham, Alabama. The Gissings have lived in North Carolina since 2005 and are members of First Presbyterian Church in Winston-Salem.
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.
Kristine
I’m a writer, blogger, hiker, camper, chocoholic and lover of canines, Mount Rainier and all things ballet, Bocelli and Puccini. I earned my degree in Communications/Print Media from Biola University. My professional background is in journalism, marketing and public relations. An independent writing professional and creative consultant, I’ve authored 13 books and hundreds of articles and essays on topics ranging from devotionals to travelogues to humor.
I found CBE and became interested in biblical equality as a result of asking “Why?” in a women’s Bible study on marriage.
My husband Chris and I co-pastor a simple church, The Sheepfold, and serve on the Executive Committee of the local chapter of Child Evangelism Fellowship. We are the founders and leaders of the Grays Harbor Chapter of CBE.
Chris and I have been married nearly thirty years and have four sons: Daniel, Nathan, Samuel and Josiah. I also enjoy reading, writing, exploring the Cascades, and almost anything other than cleaning the oven.
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.
MaryAnn
MaryAnn 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.
Marjorie
I’m a not-quite retired teacher/librarian/church staff member. Growing up in a very conservative community in the middle of Kansas, I absorbed traditional thinking and religious teaching regarding gender roles. It was not until much later, after I had experienced several hurtful situations in which “status” was all-important, that I began to explore in the Scriptures to find what is actually taught there about equality. What a joy to find others who are convinced that God has gifts and calling for all of us! I graduated from Wichita State University as an adult non-traditional student, and subsequently completed the Christian Ministry masters’ program at Friends University, also here in Wichita. My interests include reading, blogging, teaching senior adults, baking bread, and helping things grow—including grandkids!
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.”
Mimi
Dr. Mimi Haddad is president of Christians for Biblical Equality. She is a
graduate of the University of Colorado and Gordon Conwell Theological
Seminary (summa cum laude). She holds a Ph.D. in historical theology from
the University of Durham, England. Mimi is a founding member of the
Evangelicals and Gender Study Group at the Evangelical Theological Society,
and she served as the convener of the Issue Group 24 for the 2004 Lausanne
III Committee for World Evangelization. She has written numerous articles
and has contributed to eight books, most recently “Coming Together in the
21st Century: The Bible’s Message in an Age of Diversity,” by Curtiss Paul
DeYoung. She is also an editor and a contributing author of “Global Voices
on Biblical Equality: Women and Men Serving Together in the Church.” Mimi is
also an adjunct assistant professor at Bethel University and an adjunct
professor at North Park Theological Seminary, Chicago, Illinois. She and her
husband, Dale, live in a mixed-income, inner-city housing development
committed to creating greater financial stability in Minneapolis, Minnesota.
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.”
Pam
I am an ordained clergy person. I have served five churches and I am planting a sixth. I am deeply concerned with ex-addicts and ex-offenders. I am deeply concerned about apologetics and evangelism.
I am married to David. I have a son and daughter, both married, a grandchild on the way, two cats, and two dogs and live in the country with a fishing pond and orchard, lots of beautiful pasture. Currently working on a DMin degree at Gordon-Conwell on revival and reform.
Rob
I’m an electrical engineer and I work in Denver, CO. My wife, Sarah, first introduced me to CBE when we 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.
In January of 2010 we had our first baby; her name is Iris Amelia and she is a constant joy. Now more than ever, it is important that Sarah and I support CBE. Looking into my baby girl’s eyes, I can’t imagine not wanting the very most for her future in the Church.
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.
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.
TL
Raised in the Catholic church I was well schooled in a traditional view of relationships in all aspects of life. Although oddly, I was not taught about Jesus and it was God Himself who chased after me into my early 20′s to stop and talk with Him. Since I was contemplating suicide, this new relationship with Jesus was what saved my life both physically and spiritually in the winter of 1969.
Seeking more insight into Scriptures I took a couple years of Lutheran Bible institute seminary courses. Between God’s Spirit and excellent teachers I fell in love with the Word of God. It brought me life and drew me ever closer to God. Immediately, I started writing and teaching, founding two community Christian newspapers: IXTHUS, and Time Is Running Out. One paper folded into the other while I also founded a Christian Rehab House and began teaching several Bible studies. This is when I was introduced to traditionalism in the church which tried to shut me off and take my ministries from me for themselves. But God and I held onto each other and I made it through the rigors of the Shepherding Movement in one piece.
The first book I read on equality (Jewett’s, “MAN as male and female”) was a huge confirmation of what I was already finding for myself. At least I wasn’t the only one. When I found CBE online in the 90’s I was ecstatic and have been a happy supporter ever since.
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.”
