“We hope this conference gives Christians a greater confidence in what the Bible says about sexuality and how to live a life that is overflowing and thriving.”

Craig Macartney
Spur Ottawa Writer

Sexual practices and customs are some of the most deeply held aspects of any culture. They are also among the most sensitive points for conflict between groups. With Canada’s shifting cultural ethics, Christians often wrestle with how to foster loving connections with their neighbours while remaining faithful to what Jesus taught.

Dig & Delve apologetics conference aims to explore this issue in their upcoming conference on April 1 and 2.

“In our culture, [sexuality] is an area where there are significant and opposing views. Part of what we want to do is have a respectful conversation about it,” says Mark Peterkins, executive director of One Way Ministries. “We are making more time for the Q&A session during the conference to allow people to ask questions and to allow dialogue.”

George Sinclair, pastor of Church of the Messiah, says Canadian culture constantly seeks to form Christians into its mold. He believes exploring and discussing these topics in a Christian context is vital to enabling believers to understand and trust the Gospel.

“This Conference is very unique,” Sinclair adds. “I know of no other conference which combines solid biblical teaching, sharing personal stories of God’s grace, discussion on how to have conversations with those who differ, and clear teaching on what the scientific and medical literature says.”

“Youth groups, in particular, are looking at how to deal with it. It is really tricky given what our culture is saying.”

The conference (hosted online and in person) features three speakers, two of whom are same-sex attracted. They will be sharing about their personal journeys and how they reconcile their experience with their faith.

“We also have a doctor who will speak about what science says around different sexual practices and around our treatment methods for teens who want to transition from one sex to another,” Peterkins adds. “We hope this conference gives Christians a greater confidence in what the Bible says about sexuality and how to live a life that is overflowing and thriving.”

Many Christians, especially young people, lack the confidence to talk about these issues, particularly when faced with increasing cultural hostility.

“For pastors, this is a huge issue,” says Peterkins. “Youth groups, in particular, are looking at how to deal with it. It is really tricky given what our culture is saying.”

The conference, however, aims to equip young people and parents, and pastors to grapple with the issues in light of God’s Word.

“Christians and churches are called to winsomely and clearly defend biblical teaching, not enter into a dialogue with people who reject biblical teaching, in the hope that we can come to some new and mutually agreeable synthesis,” Sinclair states. “We are called to have loving conversations with all who are trying to live as disciples of Jesus in the complexities and brokenness of their families, communities, jobs, and personal lives.”

“In many ways, the culture at large seeks to undermine the trustworthiness and goodness of God,” says Greg Kopczyk, the MET’s youth and family pastor. “To open a dialogue about sexuality within the Church is, ultimately, to come to a place of a deeper trust in God. This conference is about regaining a vision of the goodness of God as it relates to the sphere of sexuality. I think it will strengthen the trust in God of those attending.”