Breakout Sessions
We have 27 breakouts planned, including 3 in Spanish!
(¿Español? Mira aquí.)
The Good Book
Brent Bailey
Understanding and reconciling our gender and sexual identity with the Bible is an important step in the spiritual life of any LGBTQ+ person. But for many of us, the journey toward a joyful and life-giving relationship with the Bible only starts there. How can LGBTQ+ people experience the Bible as a truly "good book?" In the tradition of theologian James Alison, this session explores how we might recognize our own experiences—like coming out, embracing nontraditional families, healing from religious trauma—in the stories of Scripture, and how we might discover that we're already part of the story of God's surprising, abundant, ongoing work in the world.
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Brent Bailey is an associate pastor at LaSalle Street Church, an independent church in Chicago. He grew up in the Houston area and completed his undergraduate and M.Div. studies at Abilene Christian University. Brent lives in the city with his husband, Steve, and their dog, Hank, short for "Henri Nouwen," who was a role model for the kind of contemplative spirituality and compassionate service Brent aspires to.
Rethinking Evangelism and Missions in the LGBTQ+ Community
Elizabeth Black
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Join us for an engaging workshop designed to challenge and expand our understanding of Christian outreach, particularly within the LGBTQ+ community. In a time when traditional methods of evangelism and missions have often been fraught with colonial overtones and harmful practices, this workshop seeks to explore a more inclusive, compassionate, and transformative approach to demonstrating and sharing our faith with our LGBTQ+ neighbors. Whether you are LGBTQ+, an aspiring ally, a seasoned minister, or someone passionate about social justice and faith, you will find valuable insights and practical tools to enhance your outreach efforts.
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Elizabeth Black has been an evangelist and minister in New York City for over 10 years. Originally from Baltimore, MD, she attended Washington Bible College for undergraduate studies. Elizabeth has a heart for New York City, and she loves sharing Jesus with those in the LGBTQ, Jewish, and African-American populations – and beyond. She is working on her Master of Theology in contextual theology at All Nations, a missions college in the UK, where she researches and writes on kinship theology within Transgender BIPOC chosen families. Elizabeth is a proud wife and the mother of two young boys.
The Meaning of Romans 1: Diatribe as a Rhetorical Device
Chris Rosser and Heath Rosser
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Romans 1 is often used against LGBTQ+ people. But often overlooked is how Paul’s Letter uses a rhetorical device or "teaching tool" called diatribe to deliver the gospel of which he is unashamed. Attending to elements of diatribe disrupts commonly held assumptions about Paul’s rhetorical intent. Recognizing diatribe in Romans reveals that the letter is likely dialogic rather than monologic, an observation bolstered by the use of AI tools that analyze Romans 1 and 2 within the context of copious Greco-Roman literature, where we find similar examples of diatribe. Our session uncovers implications of Romans for LGBTQ+ people and demonstrates how AI can serve as a meaningful partner in rigorous biblical studies.
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Chris Rosser (MDiv, MLIS) is First Year and Transfer Experience Librarian at Oklahoma State University. From 2009 to 2024, Chris served as Theological Librarian at Oklahoma Christian University and has been involved with the CenterPeace conference for several years. His scholarly work centers around pedagogy, instructional design, and innovative approaches to learning including gamification and artificial intelligence applications. His work has been featured at the American Theological Librarian Association (ATLA), American Library Association (ALA), Oklahoma Association of College and Research Librarians (OK-ACRL), Transformative Learning Conference, and Christian Scholar’s Conference. He lives in Edmond, Oklahoma.​
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​Heath Rosser is a senior at Oklahoma Christian University, pursuing studies in English Literature and Biblical Languages. His exceptional academic performance and passion for his fields of study earned him a place in the prestigious Logos program hosted by SCIO (Scholarship and Christianity in Oxford) and the Museum of the Bible in Washington, D.C. During this program, Heath collaborated with renowned biblical scholars, focusing primarily on Textual Criticism to deepen his understanding of translation and transmission issues in biblical texts. With aspirations to further his education, Heath plans to attend graduate school, where he will likely continue his focus on language studies.
Standing with your LGBTQ+ Kid
Joel Hollier
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As a parent you long to support, love, and champion your kid in every way possible. But we all know there is no manual, and sometimes loving your LGBTQIA+ kid comes with an extra set of things to consider (along with an extra set of blessings!) How can you show up for your child in a way that not only allows them space to grow, but also sets them up well to thrive? How can you protect yourself from the potential traumas that so many parents themselves face along the way? In this seminar, Dr Joel Hollier will draw on both his research, and his practice as a clinical social worker and pastor to lead a discussion on navigating this terrain.
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Joel Hollier is a writer, researcher, social worker, and pastor-at-heart who loves creating safe spaces where people can explore life in new and exciting ways. He has degrees in social work and theology, and a PhD in Behavioural Science. At the intersection of all these, Joel loves to share stories of people who do brave things, fight for justice, and bring other people along on the journey.
What Is Marriage?
Karen Keen
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At the heart of questions on sexuality and gender is relationships, and more specifically romantic and sexual relationships. On the theological side, debates center on the meaning of marriage and whether sex difference is essential for this lifelong covenantal relationship. On the practical side, those of us who want to share life with another in marriage wonder what makes a good, healthy marriage. In this breakout session we will explore insights from Scripture on the meaning of marriage, both the theological and practical implications.
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Karen Keen is a biblical scholar, author, and spiritual care provider at The Redwood Center for Spiritual Care and Education. She has taught biblical and theological studies in both academic and church settings. She is the author of multiple books, including Scripture, Ethics, and the Possibility of Same-Sex Relationships and The Word of a Humble God: The Origins, Inspiration and Interpretation of Scripture. Karen earned her M.S. in education (counseling) from Western Oregon University, M.A. in exegetical theology from Western Seminary, and Th.M. in biblical studies from Duke Divinity School.
Soul Care for LGBTQ+ Coming Out and Leaning In
Erin Edwards
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This workshop is designed to provide a safe and supportive space for LGBTQ+ individuals navigating the complexities of coming out within a church context and with family. It offers opportunities for participants to share experiences, process emotions, and receive practical guidance for their spiritual journeys. This session is for LGBTQ+ participants only.
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Rev. Dr. Erin Edwards is a seasoned pastor and visionary leader committed to reimagining the church. After 14 years as a closeted youth and college pastor, she founded and served as lead pastor of Live on Purpose Community Church, a thriving, open-and-affirming congregation. Now, as Director of Ecclesial Innovation at Brite Divinity School with over 25 years in ministry, she is dedicated to inspiring and equipping the next generation of church leaders to reimagine hopeful possibilities.
Counting the Costs: Navigating the Negative Consequences of Becoming Affirming
Zach Lambert
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​This workshop is for pastors, ministry leaders, and other Christians who have faced adverse reactions from their faith community for becoming affirming. Perhaps you have been fired from a job, asked to step down from a role, lost church community or friends. As someone who has been there, Zach will share his own journey to healing and insights on how to move forward.
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Zach Lambert is the Lead Pastor and founder of Restore Austin, a church he planted in 2016, where he strives to create community for spiritual refugees who are reconstructing faith. He is a co-founder of Post Evangelical Collective and serves on the boards of Restore Houston, The Hub Garage, the Austin Church Planting Network, and the Austin chapter of the Multi-Faith Neighbors Network. Zach holds a Masters of Theology, and is currently pursuing a Doctorate of Ministry at Duke Divinity School. Zach is the author of the forthcoming book, Better Ways to Read the Bible.
Practical Life Lessons from Parents of LGBTQ+ Loved Ones
Gil and Gail Vollmering and Jason and Lisa Fuller
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Hear from Jason and Lisa and Gil and Gail as they share their stories as parents of gay children. As Christians from conservative church contexts, they have experienced their own child coming out to them, the ensuing tensions, and, more importantly, paving the way forward as a family while keeping faith and Jesus's’ love at the forefront. The session will cover common stages through the journey, including the initial shock, anger, grief, acceptance and love of their LGBTQ+ children. This session will be particularly meaningful for parents, providing connection, support, and practical life lessons that can be applied to your family today.
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Gil and Gail Vollmering are Christians, a former church elder, and parents to two fantastic children, one of whom happens to be gay. For about 12 years they lived in that tense world of navigating faith and sexuality. While working through CenterPeace for most of those years, they spent many hours sharing their story, their journey to a fully affirming theology, and leading efforts of pastoral care and healing with families. Gil and Gail also advocate for the betterment of relationships and experiences between the LGBTQ+ community and the Church.
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Jason and Lisa Fuller live in Searcy, Arkansas. Their blended family includes six adult children with their spouses, and their beautiful grandson. Several of their children are members of the LGBTQ+ community and they are involved with local and online groups that provide support to parents of LGBTQ+ kids. One of their first shared experiences as a married couple was attending a CenterPeace parent retreat in 2015 and they have been honored to be a part of the organization ever since.​
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Embracing Love: Healthy Dating and Commitment for Men
Ben Kerns and Ewduar "Ed" Campbell
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Join husbands Ben and Ed Campbell as they lead a heartfelt discussion on cultivating healthy dating relationships and nurturing Christian covenantal commitments within the LGBTQ+ community. This session will explore the intersection of faith and love, providing practical insights and guidance for building meaningful connections. With a dedicated Q&A segment, participants will have the opportunity to engage deeply and honestly. *This session is for men only who are gay, bisexual, trans, or queer.
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Ben and Ed have been married for four years and are actively involved in their church in Madison, Wisconsin. Both have served in ministry for over the past two decades. After Bible college, Ben engaged in church planting, youth ministry, and discipleship, as well as taught intercultural studies. Ed, who is from Columbia, also has experience in church planting, as well as prison ministry, and Christian education. Both Ben and Ed serve with the Bakos Project, as mentors for young LGBTQ Christian leaders.
Heal Your Love with Breath and Sound
Gloria and Darren Hagood
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Through breath work and sound healing, we facilitate a transformative healing experience that helps release anxiety, stress, and trauma from the body while helping you focus on gratitude, peace and love. We do this all in the safety of community with facilitators who are trained in spiritual care and well-being. Our Heal Your Love with Breath & Sound offers a unique opportunity to connect with others who are on their self-love journey, share experiences, and nurture your own well-being.
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Darren and Gloria Hagood, founders of HealYourLovePeriod (HYL.), are committed to fostering transformative healing experiences through breathwork, sound healing, and guided meditations. With over a decade of ministry experience and degrees in Biblical Text and Masters of Divinity, they recognized the limitations of traditional church settings in addressing personal growth and spiritual connection. Motivated by this insight, they established HYL. to provide a safe haven for individuals seeking holistic healing and reconnection with the Divine. Through their expertise in breathwork coaching and sound healing, alongside ministerial training, Darren and Gloria offer a comprehensive approach to spiritual well-being, guiding others towards profound transformations.
Meet Joey and Dana of Car Chats
Joey Grubbs-Hulst and Dana Hulst
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In this session, meet the creators behind Car Chats, a YouTube channel created by Joey and Dana to talk about the Christian faith and being LGBTQ+. Their fun and informative videos provide helpful tips, thoughtful commentary, and insightful book reviews. At the conference, they will tell us about who they are, why they started their channel, their coming out stories as gay and bisexual, as well as why and how they hold onto their Christian faith.
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Joey Grubbs-Hulst started a YouTube channel, Car Chats, with her sister Dana in 2020, after they both realized there was a gap in content from Christian LGBTQ creators. She has a bachelor’s degree in Environmental Studies with a minor in Sociology from Calvin University. Joey currently works as the LGBT Resource Center Assistant at Grand Valley State University, and previously worked as a volunteer coordinator for Bethany Christian Services' Refugee Foster Care program. Joey enjoys reading and going on long walks with her wife.
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Dana Hulst is a proud co-creator of the YouTube channel, Car Chats, alongside her sister, Joey. Creating content that provides encouragement and representation for LGBTQ Christians has become a passion of hers. Dana currently works as a Program Manager for Healthy Homes Coalition of West Michigan, a nonprofit working to ensure that children grow up in safe and healthy housing. Prior to this role, Dana spent five years working in disability services, providing case management, therapy, and support to children and families. Dana lives in Grand Rapids, Michigan, where she enjoys gardening, playing most any sport, and hiking local trails with her partner.
Next-Gen LGBTQ+ Christianity
Adam Nicholson
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For many young adults, the questions that plagued past generations of LGBTQ+ Christians are not the same as today. Yes, God made us this way. Yes, God loves and accepts us. And, yes, we have a place in the Christian community. And now that we've accepted these answers to those existential questions, what next? This breakout session will explore some practices for developing authentic faith to sustain us beyond those questions. This breakout is especially for young adults who want to grow deeper in their faith as LGBTQ+ Christians.
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Adam Nicholson is a youth-minister-turned-stockbroker-turned-high-school-math-teacher-turned-lawyer. Both openly Christian and openly gay, Adam is enjoying a second chapter of life after coming out in 2018 at the age of 43. He loves talking about Jesus and how his faith transformed from black-and-white into Technicolor through the power of asking real questions.
Trans and Non-Binary Stories
Lucas Hall, Toby Rose, and Alex Garza
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Today, being transgender and having a gender identity or expression outside of common social structures can be confusing and often very misunderstood by most people. Anything that shakes culture norms is typically met with disbelief, opposition, and biblical views combating transgender people, their experiences, and the family, friends, and churches that seek to support them. In this breakout session, we will talk with three individuals from various walks of life who have a unique experience with gender identity and who have held onto their faith through it all. Topics discussed will include gender dysphoria and various gender expressions, understanding early childhood gender identity, coming out to self, family, and the church, initial judgments of trans/non-binary folks, myths and misconceptions often associated with transgender people, how life is now, finding supportive Scripture and affirming faith communities, typical personal and social challenges, and how parents and allies can be supportive. Panelists will also share their faith journey and how God has remained steadfast for them throughout the process of coming out and accepting their gender identity.
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Lucas Hall is a transgender advocate working to build awareness and inclusion in the world through education and personal testimony. Lucas is currently a seminary student in Austin, TX and works at a crisis respite center for youth, many of whom are LGBTQ+. Lucas has worked in various spaces advocating for youth and counseling families as they navigate unknown waters related to gender identity and sexual orientation. He is also an ambassador with the Reformation Project. Despite facing many obstacles from a less-than-accepting society, Lucas is a Christian who holds onto his faith wholeheartedly.
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Toby is a musician from Nashville, TN. They are originally from Wichita Falls, TX, and graduated from Vanderbilt University with degrees in Music and Secondary Education. When Toby is not at their day job managing a French Bakery and Cafe, they enjoy attending concerts, growing flowers, bird watching, and spending time outside with their partner, Caroline, and dogs, Scout and Lily.
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Alex Garza is an active and faithful member at Ecclesia Houston, a church community that serves the city of Houston and engages the global issues of poverty, injustice, and water accessibility. She works full time as a Document Control Specialist for Amtrak, and she is also a passionate photographer and portraitist. Alex has been behind the camera since 2005, joyfully lending her craft to her church community, nonprofits, and beyond.
People of Faith in a Modern Scientific World
Janet K. Ray
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​Are science and faith compatible? Yes! From the early church, Christian tradition has always held together both Scripture and natural revelation. So, why are so many Christians today afraid of science today? We will explore factors that lead Christians to shun science evidence and expertise in favor of fear and partisanship. Why did so many Christians resist covid precautions and vaccines? Why do so many Christians reject evidence for evolution? What patterns of denial are important in conversations about gender and sexuality? This session will help attendees come to a new appreciation for how science is not only compatible with being a Christian, but also shows a deep respect for God's creation. And this has important implications for sexual and gender minorities.
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Janet Kellogg Ray is the author of The God of Monkey Science and Baby Dinosaurs on the Ark? Janet is an enthusiastic science communicator. She has a PhD in curriculum and instruction and teaches biology at the University of North Texas. Raised a creationist, Janet is a science educator and a practicing Christian who accepts evolution. She is uniquely equipped to explain touchy science topics to questioners, doubters, and deniers. Janet lives in the Dallas area with her husband, Mark, and a herd of canines.
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Precedent: How Jesus Teaches Us to Interpret Scripture
Don McLaughlin
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For Christ followers, grace and truth are non-negotiables of our faith. We are saved by grace, we live by truth, and Jesus fully embodied both. We hold Scripture as the lamp unto our feet and the light unto our path, inspired by God and treasured by the church. We are aware that people differ greatly in how they read the Bible concerning same-sex-oriented relationships. In this session we explore the interpretive example of Jesus and seek to apply his precedent to our practice..
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Dr. Don McLaughlin has served as the preaching minister for the North Atlanta Church of Christ in Atlanta, Georgia since 1997. Don and his wife Susan have been married 42 years and are blessed with five adult children and four granddaughters. Their ministry is focused on facilitating gospel-centered restoration where relationships have been fractured. They have actively served with the LGTBQ+ community since 2001. Don’s academic work focuses on developing strategies and environments that inspire and equip people for meaningful intercultural relationships. He is the author of Love First: Ending Hate Before It’s Too Late and Heaven in the Real World.
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Support for Parents of Trans and Nonbinary Children
Cassie Bullock, Andrew and Debbie James, and Berty Walker ​​
For many parents, when a child comes out as trans or nonbinary, it can be a bewildering experience, whether that child is a teenager or grown adult. In this session, Christian parents of trans children will share their stories of navigating uncertainty and coming to terms with their loved one's gender identity. Cassie, Andrew and Debbie, and Berty share what they have learned, providing insight for how to best come alongside, and how their faith is an encouragement and guide in the process.
Cassie Bullock is an author and educator. She believes showing up and embracing vulnerability are key to changing our families, our communities and our world. A graduate of Texas Woman’s University, she lives in Arlington with her husband of 38 years. They have three grown sons.
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Andrew and Debbie live in Littleton, Colorado. They have a Trans daughter, Lily (25) and a cis-gender daughter, Caitlin (23). Over the last six years, they have gone through a long journey of transformation as they learned how to love both God and a Transgender child, something they once thought impossible. They serve as volunteers with Embracing the Journey, taking initial intake calls with parents of transgender children, and have led multiple support groups for parents. They were also recently featured in a NY Times article titled "Some Christian Parents Are Stepping Away From The Gender Wars". They are passionate about helping other parents through this process.
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Berty Quantz Walker lives in St Petersburg, Florida. She has both a Trans son (Jordan 35) and a lesbian daughter (Heather 38) She is the founder of Journey of Faith, a private Facebook group for Parents of Faith whose kids identify anywhere under the trans umbrella. Berty has been a nurse for 25 years and currently serves, taking care of our Veterans at the VA. Her hobbies include crochet, and going to the beach to watch the Sun set. ​
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Youth Ministry with LGBTQ+ Youth
Kevin Harrington-Bain
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It’s important to know how to respond well when a member of your youth group comes out to you. But the work of creating a youth ministry where LGBTQ+ students are welcome, safe, and belong stretches well beyond that moment. In this breakout, we’ll explore some ways to ensure youth groups are places where all students are not just welcomed, but also supported for their whole selves.
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Kevin Harrington-Bain has been doing youth ministry in Dallas since 2016. Kevin is passionate about cultivating discipleship that encourages questions, welcomes doubts, and develops empathy in young people for the purpose of making good on Christ’s promise of a table open to all. He holds a BA in Youth and Family Ministry from Abilene Christian University, an MDiv from Brite Divinity School. When he’s not walking or reading at White Rock Lake with his wife Mackenzie, he can usually be found at the local comic shop or deep in thought over the theological significance of the Muppets.
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Navigating Corporate Worship in our Post Traumatic Religious Context
SueAnn Shiah
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Using her experiences as a theologian, worship leader, and participant in the LGBTQ+ Christian movement over the last 14 years coupled with post-colonial theology, queer theory, and traumatology, SueAnn Shiah shares her research on developing a trauma informed approach to crafting liturgy and corporate worship. The legacy of white supremacy, Christian imperialism, and homophobia have made the same sanctuaries that promise refuge the sites of deep wounding and trauma for many Christians. And yet, in Christian communities of resistance all over the world, some of those same songs, scriptures, and teachings have been sources of healing and empowerment. The temptation is to throw the baby out with the bathwater, but instead of resorting to essentialist and colonial hermeneutics of whiteness, Shiah puts forth her analytic and hermeneutic alternative that addresses the plurality of interpretive possibilities
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SueAnn Shiah is a Taiwanese American musician, filmmaker, community organizer, ethnomusicologist, Queer Christian pastor and public theologian specializing in identity formation, racial justice, gender, and sexuality. Her first feature length documentary HuanDao follows her journey of discovery, identity, and belonging in a two week bike trip around Taiwan. She released her debut solo album of reclaimed hymns, “A Liturgy for the Perseverance of the Saints” in June 2018. In 2020, she joined the leadership team and editorial board of Taiwan’s New Bloom Magazine and became a guest columnist for News Lens International. In addition to her own creative and theological works, she collaborates with others in a variety of capacities as a music and film producer, audio engineer, songwriter, podcast producer, and creator of liturgy. She has a B.B.A. in Music Business with a Production emphasis and a Chinese minor from Belmont University, a Masters of Arts in Musicology from National Taiwan University, and is currently pursuing a Master of Divinity and Master of Arts in Christian Education and Formation from Princeton Theological Seminary and ordination in the Presbyterian Church (USA).
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From Zero to Community: Building and Maintaining Authentic Friendships
Grace Thomas
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Every human longs to be known fully and loved unconditionally in safe friendships. Tragically, the skills we often develop to stay safe in our homes, churches, or communities work against us when it comes to building life-giving friendships, especially if we also identify as LGBTQ+. This session will help us understand our relational strategies and how they help or hinder us when it comes to friendship. We’ll also discover that most people like us far more than we think and would be willing to try a friendship with us. And finally, we’ll look at practical strategies available to all of us that both open the door to friendship and can cement it over time. While this break-out will include specific help for a queer audience, anyone longing for deeper connection with others will find helpful, hopeful ways to encourage that connection.
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Grace Thomas is a committed follower of Jesus with a call to ministry. She is also a trans woman. She served 32 years as a pastor in a conservative denomination. Deeply committed to Scripture, Grace has spent hundreds of hours investigating the best scholarship on both sides of the LGBTQ+ divide. She also works tirelessly helping parents discover that they can both love God and love their LGBTQ+ children.
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Leveraging the Law for Love: Purposeful Planning for Privacy & Protection
Lory Moore
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If you or a loved one are a member of the LGBTQ+ community, you know firsthand the turmoil, and even tragedy, that this marginalized group can experience. What if you could create a virtually impenetrable fortress around your family, made of paper, that protected and provided for their security and well-being, no matter who is in power politically? Join former judge and award winning advocate and attorney Dr. Lory Moore, as she educates you on the ABC's of life and legacy structuring to guard your Assets, your Body and your Children, even beyond your lifetime. You'll leave this session educated with an awareness of the critical documents you need in place to help you rest and your family live in peace.
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As a top graduate of Abilene Christian University and Baylor Law School, Dr. Lory Moore has spent her lifetime advocating for justice for at-risk populations. She has drafted, testified for and obtained passage of two powerful legislative proposals: one establishing the first state-supported daycare for medically fragile children in Texas, and the other creating a program for addiction recovery using ear acupuncture, which has been modeled in 23 additional states. Lory's life has been infinitely blessed by her dear LGBTQ+ family and friends, and she is honored to be an ally and advocate for this beloved community. She is currently devoting the highest and best of her legal career to crafting life & legacy estate plans to protect the vulnerable, with a focus on special needs children, the elderly and LGBTQ+ families.
How Do Allies Become Allies?
Monica Everett
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Do you have a friend or family member who is LGBTQ+ that you love, but feel uncertain how to best support? Do you long to make a positive difference in the lives of LGBTQ+ people in your church or community? There's more to being an ally than good intentions. In this workshop, participants will learn practical insights for being a better ally. This includes greater understanding of the difficulties and needs LGBTQ+ encounter in daily life, facing fears we may have about being "out" as an ally, and what it looks like to be Christlike in our advocacy.
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Monica Everett, a Maryland native, currently resides in the beautiful Savannah, Georgia area. As a
Financial Planner, she has a passion for righting wrongs that have been committed against
Americans by Financial institutions. This comes second to teaching people about the
redemptive love of Jesus Christ. A graduate of Liberty Baptist Theological Seminary, her first
passion is seeing souls, especially those in the LGBTQ+ community, come to receive Christ as
Lord Savior and live for Him alone. She has been in ministry for the past decade and is currently
very active in her church.
From Prohibition to Permission: A Historical Case Study in Biblical Reinterpretation
Matthew Vines
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This workshop explores a fascinating historical example of how Christians in the past have reexamined long-held interpretations of Scripture. Matthew Vines will recount how an influential theologian applied careful hermeneutical principles to reconsider a significant moral issue, maintaining biblical authority while making room for a new conclusion. Drawing parallels to the current debate on same-sex relationships, we'll consider how this historical precedent might inform our approach to scriptural interpretation and moral discernment today. Join Matthew for an enlightening look at how the church has navigated complex ethical questions throughout history and what we can learn from this for our present conversation.
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Matthew Vines is the founder and executive director of The Reformation Project, a Bible-based, Christian organization that works to advance the inclusion of LGBTQ people in the church. Guided by its core values of love for God, love for the Bible, and love for the church, The Reformation Project offers a wide range of resources and programs: a biennial Reconcile & Reform Conference; programs for pastors and parents; an annual Leadership Development Cohort for Christians who want to grow as advocates for inclusion; an Ambassador Program to support its cohort graduates; and biblical courses and resources for the church. Matthew is also the author of God and the Gay Christian: The Biblical Case in Support of Same-Sex Relationships. Since its publication in 2014, it has become one of the bestselling and most influential books about the Bible and same-sex relationships. Matthew regularly speaks and writes about how Christians can become affirming while remaining committed to the full authority of the Bible and to orthodox Christian theology. He lives in Dallas, Texas.
Rediscovering Belonging: Post-Evangelicals and Mainliners Partnering Together to Launch Inclusive Communities
Pepa Paniagua and Charles Kiser
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In this session we will tell stories about how God is bringing together post-evangelicals and mainline partners around shared values for the way of Jesus, inclusivity, and holistic justice to start new spiritual communities that are fully inclusive and empowering of our LGBTQ+ siblings. From these stories we will identify principles and pathways of starting new communities for any who are interested to explore such partnerships.
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Rev. Pepa Paniagua is a pastor, facilitator, educator, innovator, writer, advocate and ally, and she is passionate about thinking outside the box and gently leading others to experience the expanse of God's love. A graduate of Austin Presbyterian Theological Seminary, Pepa has served in a variety of roles and contexts throughout her career. Pepa founded kin-dom community, a New Worshiping Community of the Presbyterian Church(USA), and is currently serving as the Coordinator for Innovation of New Ministry Development at Grace Presbytery. Growing up between the Redwoods and the Pacific, Pepa believes that as much can be learned by placing your bare feet in the sand and listening, as can be learned from any book. Pepa loves a good story, good food, and good coffee. Pepa and her wife, Kelli, live in North Texas with their two dogs, Juneaux and Opi.​
Charles Kiser is a pastor, theologian, author, coach, and trainer. He is the coauthor with Elaine Heath of Trauma-Informed Evangelism: Cultivating Communities of Wounded Healers, which emerged out of his sixteen-year pastoral work among spiritually traumatized folks in Dallas, Texas. Kiser is the cofounder with Dr. Mallory Wyckoff of The Healing Collective, a ministry that creates spaces for healing from religious trauma and trauma-informing spiritual leaders. He is also the Regional Area Developer for the Dallas-Fort Worth region of the Post-Evangelical Collective, an organization that seeks to connect and resource post-evangelical leaders and cultivate new post-evangelical churches that function as healing communities. Kiser holds a doctorate in contextual theology and his work focuses on the intersection of post-colonial mission, contemplative spirituality, and trauma healing. He lives in the Dallas area with his wife, their three kids, and their frenetic Boston Terrier, Gus.
Dialogue, Diversity, and the Book of Psalms
Katherine Johnson
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Many of us have been taught to read the Bible as if it speaks with one voice on every issue. In doing so, we often miss the beauty of how the Bible models a brave willingness to bring a diversity of voices and perspectives into conversation with one another. In this session, we will explore how a dialogical reading of the Psalms (placing individual psalms in dialogue with one another and with the rest of the Bible) can help us to cultivate an openness to fearless dialogue with those who are different from us. Along the way, we will also discover how the Psalms can help us to give voice to our own deep longings, fears, joys, heartaches, questions, doubts, and protests.
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Katherine is passionate about helping people to encounter Scripture in ways that foster a life-giving relationship with God and personal growth in Christlike love. Katherine has over 20 years of ministry experience in a wide variety of fields, both in churches and parachurch organizations. She currently serves as Programming Coordinator for The Reformation Project. Katherine earned an M.A. in Biblical and Theological Studies from Western Seminary and a Th.M. from Columbia Theological Seminary with a focus on Hebrew and Old Testament exegesis.