"The Church as a Refuge" with Dr. Diane Langberg

The Church as a Refuge: A One-Day Conference.
Dr. Diane Langberg, Speaker
Saturday June 23, 2018, 8:30am-4:00pm

Hosted by the Philadelphia Presbytery (PCA)

Register here!

Leadership in the church of Jesus Christ is a holy trust from the Lord himself, who loves his people and is fiercely devoted to them. Any power that we have—at home, in the workplace, in society, or in the church—is ours only as it is received from God (Westminster Larger Catechism 129). That power carries with it unique temptations, alongside unique opportunities to bless others. This conference is designed for leaders in the church, to equip them more fully to protect and serve those under their care.

Sadly, many people come to church bearing emotional and spiritual scars from past or present abuse received from those in power over them—parents, spouses, bosses, or church leaders. Physical, verbal, sexual, and emotional abuse is much more common in the church than we would like to think. How do we pastor these people well? And how do we do everything in our power to ensure that our churches are a refuge for those who need “shelter from the storm” (Isaiah 32:2)?

Oftentimes church leaders are well-meaning but clumsy in their efforts to come alongside vulnerable people, and ill-equipped also to lead abusers to repentance. Sometimes our “care” adds an extra layer of suffering onto already painful circumstances. This conference is for those who earnestly desire to grow in wisdom and insight in these matters, so as more effectively to build up those who have been sinned against, and bind up their wounds.

Join us on Saturday, June 23, 2018 from 8:30am-4:00pm at Tenth Presbyterian Church (1701 Delancey Place, Philadelphia, PA 19103.

Register here! Early bird registration is $15. After May 1st, the fee is $25.

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Diane Langberg, PhD, is globally recognized for her work with trauma victims. She has trained caregivers the world over in responding to trauma and to the abuse of power. She also directs her own counseling practice of sixteen therapists with multiple specialties. A long-time member of Calvary PCA in Willow Grove, her most recent book is Suffering and the Heart of God: How Trauma Destroys and Christ restores.