By Kerry Steinhofer, Copy Editor
Next week, campus will be engaging in conversations surrounding the topic of sexual wholeness. This week has been formally named as Sexual Wholeness Week.
Even though this is the first time campus has had a week called “Sexual Wholeness Week,” this is not the first time campus has seen a week dedicated to discussions about sexuality. In previous years, there have been a series of different speakers who have come in for several days at a time to engage in topics that discuss the relationship between faith and sexuality.
“When I was a student, we had a very similar week,” said Resident Director Kaylyn Moran. “It was one of the first times that I understood that our creator God made the physical world and that we are whole persons — body, mind and soul. I learned that as Christians, we cannot discount the body or the ways in which we express our spiritual devotion and worship via the physical acts.”
“Our sexuality is a gift,” said senior Al Mattingly via a campus survey. “Sexuality only becomes problematic when we start to think of it as anything less than a gift God has given to each of us. Our sexual identity and expression isn’t something to be feared or avoided; it’s something to be understood and loved as a blessing.”
“We hope this week equips students for cultural critique in discovering the difference in a sexuality yielding to cultural norms and a sexuality shaped by the truths of Scripture,” said Associate Dean for Campus Ministries and Campus Chaplain Greg Haseloff. “We also hope the week will raise the transparency in discussions about sexuality and contribute to healthy conversations. We desire for this week to grow people’s vision for sex in marriage, celibacy in singleness and purity in relationships.”
In a campus survey about sexual wholeness week, almost 82 percent of students responded that they believe sexual wholeness is an issue many students struggle with. 16.5 percent of students responded that they have or are currently struggling with their sexuality.
God made the physical world and we are whole persons — body, mind and soul.
While some students responded positively to the idea of a sexual wholeness week, others students expressed concerns.
“I think the school encourages a mentality of sexual repression that is harmful to the psyches of the student body,” wrote sophomore Jordan Brennecke.
Another sophomore, Lisa Humason, acknowledged the importance of sexual wholeness but said that she was “a little bit tired of hearing talks about it.”
Campus Ministries hopes that Sexual Wholeness Week will be a time for students, faculty and staff to dig deep into their lives and seek God in order to be delivered from the shame and bondage that is brought by the pain of sexual brokenness.
“We serve a God who is still in the business of redemption and restoration and there is nothing out of reach,” said Assistant Director for Campus Ministries Jeannie Banter. “God cares more about our sexual wholeness than you do, so lean in to the work of the Holy Spirit in your life.”
“The enemy has, for too long, kept us in bondage and shame when it comes to our sexuality,” she continued. “In Christ though, we are set free. I pray during this week the Holy Spirit pulls back the curtain and enables us to see our sexuality as He intended it to be — beautiful, pure, holy and good.”
“Sexuality within the view of a redeemed creation is good and holy and points to self-giving, committed, authentic, mutually submissive and joyfully intimate love,” said Moran. “It should point us toward the way that God loves creation.”