On Sunday I head out to Asbury College in Wilmore, Kentucky, for a three-day visit. I’m really looking forward to it. I was at Asbury about five years ago to give a series of talks, and it was a great campus with a real heart for ministry, service, and worship.
The schedule this time includes chapel on Monday morning and a panel discussion that evening. The panel is a discussion of “What Scripture says about…” then they fill in the topic.
Tuesday morning includes time with Student Development staff, which I view as the critical proximal agent on any campus. They are in the “front lines” with the students, so that should be a good discussion. Tuesday afternoon and evening includes a presentation at Asbury Theological Seminary on pastoral care and sexual identity concerns. I will base this on the three-tier distinction between same-sex attractions, a homosexual orientation, and a gay identity, and then discuss how that distinction can be helpful for pastoral care and navigating sexual identity conflicts among Christians. Later that evening I will be part of a Coffee House, which is an informal Q&A discussion time with students back at Asbury College.
Wednesday morning is a second chapel address. I’ll be developing the theme from the first address on Monday that deals with creating a campus climate of care. This second address will bring us back to our fundamental identity and orientation, which involves creating a campus climate of praise.
Mark Yarhouse 