The Many Faces of Forgiveness

                     “Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other,                        just as in Christ God forgave you.” - Ephesians 4:32

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Agenda

8:00 – 9:00 AM	Registration, Networking, Coffee, and Light Breakfast
9:00 - 10:25 AM 10:25 - 10:45 AM	Dr. Charlotte vanOyen-Witvliet- Forgiven and Forgiving Break
10:45– 11:45 AM	Morning Workshops (see choices below)
11:45 – 12:45 PM	Lunch and Fellowship
12:45 – 1:45 PM	Dr. Christopher Yuan - Family Testimony
1:45 - 2:00 PM	Break
2:00 – 3:00 p.m.	Afternoon Workshops (See Choices Below)

 

Workshops and Speakers

AM Keynote Speaker

Dr. Charlotte vanOyen-Witvliet is a Professor of Psychology at Hope College. She publishes in the field of emotion and psychophysiology research, with a specialized focus on gratitude, unforgiveness, forgiveness, and justice. She has conducted programmatic research on forgiveness, published peer reviewed journal articles and book chapters, and given professional presentations in local, national, and international venues. She has conducted 100 media interviews about forgiveness, with her research featured in venues such as Time, Newsweek, O: The Oprah Magazine, USA Today, Los Angeles Times, Chicago Tribune, and CNN.

PM Keynote Speaker

Morning and Afternoon Workshops (you will be able to pick two at the time you register)

“Forgiving Yourself After Sexual Addiction or Infidelity-The Other Side of Grace” – Marnie Ferree

Forgiving yourself is especially difficult for deeply personal sin like sexual addiction or infidelity. If unaddressed, the shame about these issues continues to ensnare even after the behaviors have stopped. This workshop describes a process of self-forgiveness that fosters the ability to accept the grace available in Christ.

“Forgiveness: The Health Benefits of Letting It Go” - Dr. E. Susanne Francis and Dr. Eva Ponder

As Christians, we can struggle with the Biblical mandate to forgive while fearing negative consequences of simply “letting go” of an offense. This seminar will reexamine this fundamental Christian practice through the lens of new research that suggests an unwillingness to forgive actually reduces the quality of our mental, emotional, and physical health. Jesus’ command to forgive again and again may have real implications for the health and wellness of our clients and members of our churches. The seminar will also address strategies for helping those we work with forgive others with greater readiness and move into a deeper experience of God’s forgiveness for them. 

"The Tough Topic of Forgiveness: How the Bible Issues a High Call” - Rev. Christopher Harris (AM only)

Forgiveness is not behavior modification. The tough topic of forgiveness was spelled out centuries ago and is still a reality today. Books, television programs, and conferences offer insight, but the Bible's clear picture of what forgiveness is, looks like, and how it is lived out is more than mere talk.  While not a new topic, the challenge to implement in our daily lives can be difficult.  What compounds biblical forgiveness for us is the assumption and expectation that in our chosen profession, forgiveness should be easy, understood, and immediate.  The truth of the Bible will help promote our ability to have the heart, mind, and attitude to rise to the occasion.

“Forgiving the "Good Enough" Counselor: Your Responsibility to Help the Church” - Amy Simpson

Christian counseling professionals carry a heavy responsibility—and not just to your clients. You have a responsibility to elevate the response to mental illness in the Christian community. Amy shares her family’s story, explains why she needed to forgive counseling professionals who failed to do enough, and shares practical ideas for how counseling professionals can fulfill their responsibilities to the body of Christ.

“Cultivating a Forgiving Heart” - Julie Woodley 

Julie will weave together story, as well as statistics, film clips and therapy skills with spiritual insights to help caretakers learn how to help those that have experienced sexual abuse, abortion and other types of abuses and trauma. This will be an interactive lesson where you will learn the adventure and pain of those who have been sexually abused, suffered trauma and learned to cultivate forgiveness.  

“A Christian Response to Homosexuality” - Dr. Christopher Yuan (PM only)

Homosexuality is one of the most relevant issues of our day. How should Christians respond to homosexuality and more importantly those in the LGBT community? Most of us know somebody who is gay. How do we minister to those aected by homosexuality? Without any compromise of truth or grace, Christopher Yuan combines his life experiences with his training in the Bible in its original languages to bring a fresh and unique perspective on this sensitive issue.

“Reconciliando en Pareja Relaciones Dañadas” (Reconciling Damaged Relationships) - Guillermo Donamaria (in Spanish, AM only)

Comprender el principio bíblico de perdón y reconciliación y pasos para aplicarlo en la relación de pareja. (Understand the biblical principles of forgiveness and reconciliation and learn how to apply steps of forgiveness/reconciliation in marriage.)

“Cómo aconsejar a otros sobre el perdón y la reconciliación”  (How to counsel others on forgiveness and reconciliation) - Dr. Charles Woehr (in Spanish, PM only) 

Principios bíblicos y prácticos para consejeros que quieren aprender a guiar a sus aconsejados hacia el perdón y la reconciliación. (Biblical and practical advice for counselors who want to learn how to guide others into experiencing forgiveness and reconciliation.)

 

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