We believe that because God created people as male and female in His image (Gen. 1:26, 27; 5:1-2), men and women are equal in nature, value, and spiritual status (Gal 3:27-28; 1 Pet 3:7). This spiritual equality is affirmed by the fact that men and women both receive spiritual gifts for service to the church (Acts 2:17-18; 1 Cor 12:7,11; 1 Pet 4:10).
We believe God has assigned different roles to men and women in marriage, and in the church. In marriage the husband is to lovingly lead as head over his wife (1Cor 11:3; Eph 5:23) and the wife is to graciously submit to the leadership of her husband (Eph. 5:22,24,33).
In the Church God does not permit women to teach or occupy a position of authority over men (1Cor 14:33-36; 1 Tim 2:11-14; 3:2; Titus 1:6). This prohibition is to be obeyed by all Churches (1 Cor 14:33-34; 1 Tim 2:11-14).
We believe that the New Testament teaches only two offices in the local church (Phil 1:1); elders (1 Tim 3:1; Acts 20:28; 1 Peter 5:1-2; Titus 1:5-7), and deacons (Phil 1:1; 1 Tim 3:1-13). The work of elders is to attend to the ministry of the word, prayer, and watching over souls because they must give an account to Christ (Acts 6:4; 1Cor 9:6-14; Gal 6:6; 1Tim 3:2; 5:17; 2Tim 2:4).
By virtue of the office, elders are delegated their authority by Jesus Christ and the congregation (1Tim 3:1, 5, 5:17; Heb 13:7, 17, 24). Since we seek to be faithful to Scripture in this regard, CABU does not train women for pastoral ministry. Women are free to take any course that deepens their understanding of the Bible, enables them to rightly divide the word of truth, equips them for a life of ministry, and prepares them for local church ministry to women and youth. CABU reserves the right of admission to courses designed for Pastoral ministry.