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 Myers
Bridget Jack Meyers is a student at Trinity Evangelical Divinity School working on her MA in History of Christianity in America. She goes by her middle name, Jack. She has a BA in Classical Studies with a minor in Hebrew from Brigham Young University, she is married with one daughter, and currently she calls the Evangelical Covenant Church home. 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.
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.
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.
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.”
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.
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.”
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.
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.”
