On Sunday, February 26 we will be a multi-site host for a one-day summit called: Good Design: God, Sexuality, and Gender. This event is happening in-person at Chapel Street Church in Geneva, but they have given us the privilege of hosting a live stream of the event, with opportunities to text in questions to the speakers.
The purpose of the Good Design Summit is two-fold. First, they want the Church to leave with a clearer understanding of what the Bible teaches about sexuality and gender. Second, they desire attendees to leave with a better vision and strategy for lovingly and effectively engaging their friends and neighbors on these topics.
The Summit will be held on February 26th. The afternoon schedule for the Summit is as follows:
1:00 PM CST Session 1: Rebecca McLaughlin – What does the Bible teach about Sexuality?
2:30 PM CST Session 2: Mark Yarhouse – What does the Bible teach about Gender?
4:00-6:00 PM CST Session 3: Preston Sprinkle - How do I love my LGTBQ+ neighbor? & Panel Q&A
Speaker Bios
Rebecca McLaughlin Rebecca holds a Ph.D. in English literature from Cambridge and a theology degree from Oak Hill College in London. She is author of several books including The Secular Creed, 10 Questions Every Teen Should Ask (and Answer) about Christianity, Confronting Christianity: 12 hard questions for the world's largest religion, and Jesus Through the Eyes of Women: How the First Female Disciples Help Us Know and Love the Lord. Rebecca is also the co-founder of Vocable Communications. Vocable is a speech-focused, data-driven communications firm dedicated to helping leaders deliver messages that change minds.
Preston Sprinkle Dr. Preston Sprinkle is a biblical scholar, speaker, podcaster, a New York Times bestselling author, and is the co-founder and president of The Center for Faith, Sexuality & Gender. He earned a Ph.D. in New Testament from Aberdeen University in Scotland and has written a dozen books including Nonviolence, Scandalous Grace, People to Be Loved, Living in a Gray World, and Embodied. Preston also hosts a popular bi-weekly podcast titled Theology in the Raw, where he engages in honest conversations with interesting people.
Mark Yarhouse Mark Yarhouse, Psy.D., is a clinical psychologist who specializes in conflicts tied to religious identity and sexual and gender identity. He assists people who are navigating the complex relationship between their sexual or gender identity and Christian faith. He is the Dr. Arthur P. and Mrs. Jean May Rech Chair in Psychology at Wheaton College, where he runs the Sexual and Gender Identity (SGI) Institute. He has published over 80 peer-reviewed journal articles and book chapters and is author or co-author of several books, including Understanding Sexual Identity: a Resource for Youth Ministers and Understanding Gender Dysphoria: Navigating Transgender Issues in a Changing Culture. His most recent books are Sexual Identity & Faith and Costly Obedience: Listening to and Learning from Celibate Gay Christians.