WELCOME to the 2nd Annual Sex & the Soul Blogathon!
The Sex & the Soul Blogathon is a chance to think, and converse, together about the varying ISSUES RELATING TO SEX, SEXUALITY AND FAITH that are impacting today’s college students — and how we can best come alongside them as they discern how to make important choices during these critically formative years.
Over the course of this 3 day event we’ll have the chance to hear from a number of professionals in the college ministry world – and others who have particular interest and/or insight into our work with college students – in the form of blog posts – and the dialogs that ensue.
I pray that these will be significant conversations for all who participate!
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[January 31-February 2, 2012]
Day 3
Healthy God-Centered Sexuality | Joy Eggerichs | Director of Love and Respect NOW in Portland, OR
We have all heard the word “chastity.” I’m not sure about you, but the word that immediately follows that in my head is…”belt.” And I’m pretty sure that belt is made of iron…and has a rusty key. FUN!
The question we discuss below is one of my favorites. It’s something that won’t have a concrete answer for everyone, but a discussion I think all people should contemplate. Keep reading…
The Post Which Must Not Be Named | Michael Johnson | Co-Founder of Future Marriage University in Franklin, TN
This past November I delivered a discussion series at Northwestern College which I have shared many other times before, but this time was different. This would be the last time I would feel comfortable promoting this discussion online by name. I now refer to it online as “The Discourse Which Must Not Be Named.” The actual title is “The Nud1st C0l0ny Discourse” and it consists of three sessions: Keep reading…
"Girl on Wall" by Matt Gruber, via www.CreationSwap.com.
What Every College-Aged Woman Needs to Know | Stephanie S. Smith | Writer, Book Publicist, and Communications Specialist at (In)dialogue Communications in Binghampton, NY
When it comes to sexuality and relationship decision-making, the unfortunate reality is that many young women do not feel empowered to go against the flow of our hyper-sexualized culture. But as mentors and leaders of college students, you have a unique opportunity to speak into a young woman’s life and affirm her right and responsibility to make good choices. As you interact with these young women, there are a few truths you can verbally and actively communicate to her that may make a world of difference. Keep reading…
Overcoming a Culture of Instant Gratification | Guy Chmieleski | University Minister at Belmont University in Nashville, TN
There seems to be a lot working against the (slow) development of healthy relationships today. We live in an instant society. We want things and we want them now. And yet, most of us can remember a time not too long ago, when things weren’t so “instant.” That’s not the case for the majority of our students however… They’ve always known fast, until it was replaced by faster… and then faster yet. Keep reading…
Day 2
Cohabitation Conundrums | Joy Eggerichs | Director of Love and Respect NOW in Portland, OR
How can we respond to young people who want to live together before marriage? I am referring to my son and other friends in their late 20′s.
I am trying to be quiet and work with it but it is very awkward. What do you say to young people about this topic? Would you recommend any books or speakers? Keep reading…
Pride, Shame and a Call to Authenticity | Robby Larson | Doctoral Student (Higher Education Leadership) at George Fox University in Newberg, OR
… I was more concerned with convincing people that I was a good Christian, than with actually being one. I participated in various campus ministries, went to Bible studies, listened to Christian music, and disclosed just enough of my own sin to prove that I was being real. Deep down I wanted a genuine faith, wanted to pick up my cross (whatever that meant), wanted to follow Jesus. But somehow I failed to realize that this was possible in the midst of my mess. Keep reading…
Are Boundaries Realistic? | Sarah Francis Martin | Blogger at liveitoutblog.com and author of forthcoming book Stress Point: Thriving Through Your 20s in a Decade of Drama (Thomas Nelson, July 2012)
I’ve seen a movement with my young adult friends living in intense relationships (more than just casual dating) to set up boundaries. When a girlfriend of mine explained that she and her serious boyfriend sat down and set very specific boundaries for the physical side of their relationship, part of me at first thought this was old-fashioned. I walked away a bit stunned by that coffee conversation as the idea of setting boundaries never really occurred to me while in my dating and intense relationships. Keep reading…
Dealing With Sexual Shame | Vance Rains | Pastor at Wesley Foundation of Florida State University and Tallahassee Community College in Tallahassee, FL
… These women, and so many others, describe a campus culture in which men expect to have sex on any given night, even if it requires pressure, manipulation or the use of illegal date-rape drugs. If refused sexual intercourse, other options are requested, and expected. Keep reading…
Day 1
True Love is Tired of Waiting | Ashlee Alley | Campus Minister at Southwestern College in Augusta, KS
I was in college when the “True Love Waits” campaign hit its stride in the mid 90’s. I remember taking the youth from the church where I volunteered to the Georgia Dome in Atlanta as we all signed commitment cards that were literally stacked from the floor to the ceiling (I have no earthly idea whatthat was trying to illustrate). Not long after that experience, I was a counselor at a (Insert Big Name Ministry) camp and I literally remember hearing a speaker say that one of the reasons that we were to wait to have sex, is that God would bless us with “60 YEARS OF INCREDIBLE SEX!” Read more…
Don Draper Stole Our Imagination | JR Madill Forasteros | Teaching Pastor at Beavercreek Nazarene in Dayton, OH
Everyone wants to be beautiful. In our world of gyms and plastic surgery and beach bodies that’s not a surprising statement.
No one ever stops to ask, “What does it means to be ‘beautiful’?” Read more…
Missional Sexuality | Pat Hannon | Associate Dean of the Chapel at Indiana Wesleyan University in Marion, IN
Is not having sex the most important thing about being a Christian?
And what does sex have to do with mission?
Those of us working with emerging adults are seeking to shape the lives of our students in multiple ways. We desire for them to develop a Christian sexual ethic and to develop an understanding of Christian mission. These are two MASSIVE shifts. Read more…
Whatever It Takes: Helping Your Students and Yourself Gain Freedom From Lust and Porn | Paul Worcester | Director of Christian Challenge at Chico State in Chico, CA
Like many college freshman I was addicted to lust. This addiction started for me at a very young age. It crippled my spiritual life and caused more pain than I like to think about. It was a spiritual cancer eating away at every part of my life. Having this secret area of my life caused me to constantly feel guilty, insecure and fearful of what others would think about me if they found out who I really was. I was trapped. Read more…
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[January 11-13, 2011]
Day 3
Elevating the Conversation || D. Merricks – Campus Minister at the Wesley Foundation of Macon || http://oncampustheology.net
Sex’s Unexpected Consequences: Don’t Start What You Can’t Finish || Shellie R. Warren - author, public speaker and the Teen Mom Coordinator for Youth for Christ/Nashville. || http://onfirefastmovement.blogspot.com/ and 10Again.us
Caring for Students Dealing with Pornography Abuse and Addiction || Derek Roe – Graduate Assistant in the Office of University Ministries at Belmont University and M. Div student at Vanderbilt Divinity School
Shame Or Grace: What Does Your Ministry Really Extend to Struggling Students? || Guy Chmieleski — Founder of Faith ON Campus and University Minister at Belmont University || http://faithoncampus.com
Day 2
Human Trafficking, Porn & the Tension College Students Live In || Guy Chmieleski – Founder of Faith ON Campus and University Minister at Belmont University || http://faithoncampus.com
The Elephant in the G-String || Michael Johnson – Co-Founder of Future Marriage University || http://www.FutureMarriageUniversity.org
Sex and the Soul: An Interview with Author Donna Frietas || Donna Freitas is an Assistant Professor of Religion at Boston University and author of Sex and the Soul: Juggling Sexuality, Spirituality, Romance and Religion on America’s College Campuses ||http://www.donnafreitas.blogspot.com
Break-Ups and Death || Abbie Srünger -recently graduated from the Institute of Spiritual Formation at Talbot Seminary and now resides in Savannah, Georgia as a writer and spiritual director ||http://www.conversantlife.com/blogs/abbie+smith
The Problem Isn’t Porn: Finding A Frame Beyond Shame || John David (J.D.) Walt, Jr. - Vice President for Community Life and Dean of the Chapel at Asbury Theological Seminary || www.jdwalt.com
Day 1
Regardless of Orientation, Seek Holiness || Nathan Albert – Director of Pastoral Care at The Marin Foundation|| naytinalbert.blogspot.com
Is Sex Before Marriage Really A Sin? || Guy Chmieleski – Founder of Faith ON Campus and University Minister at Belmont University || http://faithoncampus.com
Reframing the Discussion: Shifting From Abstinence to Celibacy || Christine Colon - Associate Professor of English at Wheaton College and Co-Author of Singled Out: Why Celibacy Must be Reinvented in Today’s Church
What About the Ladies? || Bob Henry – Assistant Director of Campus Ministries at Huntington University || http://www.spiritualinform.blogspot.com
A Good Theology of Bad Words || Rachel Foose – works with CCO at Penn State Altoona || http://foosers.blogspot.com
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Sex & the Soul Recap || Here are some stats from this year’s blogathon!
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