Date/Location
November 12-15, 2024
Westminster Presbyterian Church
2151 Oregon Pike
Lancaster, PA 17601
Registration
$650
Description
As debates about human sexuality and gender dominate classrooms, communities, churches, youth groups, and social media, youth ministers committed to a traditional biblical ethic may struggle to find their voice. Some may wonder if there is a safe place in which to form a theologically informed and nuanced approach to these charged and complex issues.
Join Dr. Walt Mueller of the Center for Parent/Youth Understanding and Dr. Duffy Robbins of Grove City College for an intensive multi-day symposium to deepen your own biblical and theological foundations, to broaden your apologetic for affirming the goodness of expressing sexual intimacy within the bonds of marriage between a man and a woman, and to strengthen your pastoral skills in helping children and teens live out biblical truths on sex and gender.
This Symposium presumes participants’ affirmation of a historic, orthodox Christian sexual ethic and will be building from this premise, not debating it. Participation is limited to 25 to allow for deep exploration of these issues and will require some preparatory work along with active involvement and interaction with others in the Symposium.
Limited to 25 participants.
Cost
Early Bird Rate: $600 (by September 1, 2023)
Rate (after September 1, 2024): $650
Registration includes the Symposium, Symposium Materials, Snacks, Dinner on Tuesday evening, and Lunches on Wednesday/Thursday. Fee does not include travel, overnight lodging, and additional meals.
Travel/Hotel info
Local hotel options:
Eden Resort ~ 1 mile from church
Hampton Inn Lancaster ~ 4 miles from church
Courtyard by Marriott ~ 4 miles from church
Hilton Garden Inn Lancaster ~ 3 miles from church
Fairfield Inn and Suites ~ 4 miles from church
Homewood Suites by Hilton Lancaster ~ 4 miles from church
Airports:
Harrisburg International Airport ~ 33 miles from church
Baltimore-Washington International Airport ~ 90 miles from church
Philadelphia International Airport ~ 85 miles from church
Schedule
Tuesday, 11/12
6:00pm – Dinner
7:00pm – Session #1
Wednesday, 11/13
9:00am-12:00 – Session #2
12:00 – Lunch provided on site
1:15pm-4:45 – Session #3
Thursday, 11/14
9:00am-12:00 – Session #4
12:00 – Lunch provided on site
1:15pm-4:45 – Session #5
Friday, 11/15
9:00am-12:00 – Session #6
12:00 – Dismiss
Pre-Symposium Preparation
Participants are encouraged to read the following texts before the symposium:
God and the Transgender Debate by Andrew Walker
Love Into Light by Peter Hubbard
Holy Sexuality and the Gospel by Christopher Yuan
Chapter 1 (“Ethical Theories and Sex”) and Chapter 7 (“The Challenge of Homosexuality”) in The Meaning of Sex by Dennis Hollinger
Testimonials
From past participants…
“You don’t have to have a theological doctorate to be a part of this symposium, this is a topic for anyone that is in youth ministry or any pastoral care. I highly recommend not coming alone, bring the youth leader, the senior pastor, the executive pastor, the elders, bring everyone you can. I loved how you come in with other youth leaders but leave with friends in youth ministry.”
“I found this to be a wise step for proactive learning on a difficult subject. The “symposium” structure provides a great context for discussion and thought that involves all participants.”
“Grateful for an excellent environment for challenging discussion on a vital ministry topic. Great balance of heart (pastoral care) and head (theology/ethics) that provided tools and resources for me to immediately utilize in my ministry context back home.”