No greater conflict exists in our culture - in our world - today than the struggle among Christianity and the gay community. Churches in dispute over what stand to take - to re-define scripture and accept men and women who have embraced a gay identity. Families in dispute as to whether or not we allow loved ones who identify as gay to come home for the holidays
. The silence and the separation have been devastating and from this, a great chasm has grown between us, creating further alienation between anyone who claims to follow Christ and anyone who claims to be gay.
Ministers are often on the frontline of this conflict, and yet most express a sincere need for help in understanding. The Body of Christ is
desperate for leaders who know how to address this issue, and more importantly, how to care for those of us who have been impacted by same-sex attraction. We need more peacemakers.
Is God calling you to be a peacemaker in this arena? A peacemaker in our churches? in our families? Bringing lives together to begin the conversation - to address the pain, the hurt in each others' lives that's behind the same-sex struggle - that's what ministers are often called to do. But the conversation could be more comfortable and more productive for the Kingdom with better equipping.
That's what the Peacemakers Retreat is all about.... Peacemakers is a three day retreat designed specifically for ministers, for the purpose of better understanding same-sex attraction. Led by
Dr. David Lewis, pastoral counselor for the Cross Timbers Church in the Dallas-Ft.Worth, TX, metroplex, and
Sally Gary, director of CenterPeace, ministers taking part in the retreat will gain greater insight into the same-sex experience and leave better equipped to respond as Jesus would to men and women who experience same-sex attraction.
Here's what you can expect from Peacemakers -
Rich discussion leading to greater insight about ssa Opportunities to ask questions and talk freely Instructional sessions with David Lewis and Sally Gary 
AND.....
Inspirational worship with Brandon Scott Thomas from Zoe 
WHEN? February 11 - 13, 2010
Thurs. 2 p.m. - Sat. noon
WHO? Ministry staff - particularly for youth, campus, children's, and pulpit ministers
Anyone engaged in small group ministry, community ministry, etc.
WHERE? Hotel-style accommodations at the Scarrit-Bennett Center on the beautiful campus of Vanderbilt University in Nashville, TN
COST = $450.00 -
includes two nights lodging and five meals, plus resource materialsCLICK HERE TO REGISTER ONLINE AT
CenterPeaceor
Zoe
