Conference on Sexuality: You're Invited

Dallas Seminary's Center for Christian Leadership is hosting a conference, Sacred Sexuality: Casting a Vision for the Sexually Healthy Church.

Today more than ever, people are bombarded with sexual messages and images. Yet parents still bumble when they talk to their kids about sex, infertile couples experience misery in their intimate lives, and church leaders sometimes fail to create an atmosphere where sexuality is theologically grounded and discussed as God designed--to name a few of the difficulties. This conference is designed to help.

Who should come? Whether you’re a church staff member, parent, or lay leader, this conference will equip you to teach about sexuality as God’s design. In addition to keynotes by good-guy DTS professor Dr. Gary Barnes and Dr. Doug Rosenau, author of The Celebration of Sex, the conference will include six workshops:

Marital Affairs: Prevention and Healing
Dr. Gary Barnes
Marital affairs are an increasing problem. This workshop will help you move from looking at an affair as the problem, to seeing an affair as a symptom of a greater issue. Once the root cause is identified, then spiritual transformation, prevention, and healing can begin. Designed both for those touched by infidelity AND those who will help them through the trauma.

Infertility in the Christian Community: Offering Comfort and Hope to Infertile Couples
Sandra Glahn (you know me, so I’ll leave out the bio)
The church, with its family orientation, can be a place of increased pain for the one in six couples of childbearing age who are experiencing the marital, emotional, medical, and spiritual crisis of infertility (including pregnancy loss). This workshop will equip you to avoid propagating the myths, help strengthen the intimate lives, and assist couples as they wrestle with the biblical issues associated with involuntary childlessness.

Soul Virginity: Pursuing God's Heart for Single Adult Sexuality
David Hall
The church is often quick to say that “true love should wait” but seldom does it explain in a practical manner how and why it should wait. Single adults can enjoy a special type of social sexuality as they build a biblical theology of soul virginity, the heart-directed value of true chastity. This workshop will explore how singles can be encouraged to value, celebrate, and protect their sexual feelings and as well as enjoy unique friendships. David Hall, MAMFT, works in a private practice doing individual and family therapy. He is currently a Sex Therapy Intern under the American Board of Christian Sex Therapists (ABCST). David has written and published, as well as spoken internationally, on such issues as adolescent sexual development, singleness, and same-sex attractions.

Walking with the Wounded: What's Our Role?
Kim Humphries
How can the church partner with clinicians and play a dynamic, collaborative role in the sexual healing of congregants? This workshop will explore ways that everyone (staff or friend) can come alongside those who have been sexually abused and help to foster a safe, loving, and warm environment in which the healing process can begin. Kim Humphries is a Board Certified licensed clinical social worker. She counsels individuals, couples, teens, and families. Kim is also trained as a Certified Christian Mediator and serves as an adjunct faculty member at DTS.

Back to the BASEX: Beyond the Birds and the Bees
Debby Wade
How do you talk to your children about sexuality? This workshop will educate, equip, and empower parents to be the most significant sex educators in their children’s lives. The ultimate goal is for parents to feel confident and anticipate the opportunities to talk with their children about one of God’s most precious gifts. Debby Wade is a Licensed Professional Counselor, a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist, and Certified Sex Therapist. Most recently she has developed Back to the BASEX: Beyond the Birds and the Bees, a program for educating, equipping and empowering parents.

Holy Eroticism: God’s Plan for Passionate Marital Intimacy
Dr. Doug Rosenau & Lorraine Turbyfill
This workshop will develop the profound difference between immaturely “having sex” and truly “making love.” God created mates to celebrate an irresistible attraction and sensual eroticism. Skills for becoming great lovers will be explored, along with common sabotages. Lorraine K. Turbyfill, M.Ed., is a Licensed Professional Counselor Intern, a National Certified Counselor, and Christian Sex Therapist Intern. Her master's degree in counseling (M.Ed.) is from the University of North Texas, and her post-graduate studies in Christian sex therapy have been completed through the Institute for Sexual Wholeness at Psychological Studies Institute. In addition to her work in inpatient and outpatient treatment settings, Lorraine has also led church-based small groups for couples in order to help couples (and the church) create dialogue about healthy Christian sexuality.

Registration Fee: $85/person, or $75/person (10+)
Registration Deadline: September 28, 2009
Location: Dallas Seminary Campus
Questions? Call 214-841-3699