Pepperdine University, Malibu, CA; March 26-27, 2007
Please note: We appreciate that other community members and students from other schools may have an interest in the Soulforce Equality Ride and issues that the Soulforce organization advocates. However, we are limiting the March 26 and 27 dialogue at Pepperdine University to Soulforce Equality Ride member participants and members of the Pepperdine campus community.
Monday, March 26, 2007
8:00 a.m. Welcome at Chapel Parking Lot
8:30 a.m. Prayer Service in Stauffer Chapel
D’Esta Love, University Chaplain
9:00 a.m. Breakfast
Roundtable Discussions with Equality Riders and Pepperdine Students and Staff (invitation only)
10:00 a.m. “Why Homophobia Is Not a Christian Value”
Ken Durham, Minister, University Church of Christ
Presentation and Open Discussion, Stauffer Chapel
In this talk that Dr. Durham has delivered several times at Pepperdine, he emphasizes that all people are created in the image of God, and that it is contrary to the spirit and teachings of Christ to accept or encourage hatred or hostility toward homosexuals. Christians can uphold the orthodox biblical teachings against homosexual behavior without condemning or inciting violence toward our fellow human beings.
11:30 a.m. Meet the Equality Riders
Sandbar Student Lounge, Tyler Campus Center
This will be an informal session where Equality Ride participants share their journeys through personal stories, poetry, and other creative performances, including video clips from last year’s tour. Pepperdine students are welcome to come and go during this interactive session.
1:00 p.m. “What Does the Bible Say About Homosexuality?”
Rick Marrs, Associate Dean of Seaver College, Professor of Religion
Presentation and Open Discussion, Stauffer Chapel
Conflicting interpretations of Scriptures regarding homosexuality can leave one confused. Without a thorough study of the biblical passages, however, your viewpoints may be shaped more by culture and emotion than by God’s word. Dr. Marrs will place in dialogue major traditional and contemporary interpretation of passages of Scripture related to homosexual conduct.
2:00 p.m. Class Visit by 2-4 Equality Ride Members
3:00 p.m. “In God’s Image: Identity & Scripture”
Soulforce Equality Ride Presentation, Stauffer Chapel
This presentation aims to transform the issue-centered conversation into a person-centered conversation by challenging all involved to know and love our neighbors in a Christ-like manner. We will address the misconceptions, stereotypes, and Scriptural references most commonly used against LGBT people and demonstrate how such rhetoric constitutes spiritual violence. We will further focus on the standard of love put forth in Scripture and discuss ways in which it can be practically and meaningfully applied to LGBT friends, family, classmates, and others.
5:00 p.m. Dinner Discussion Groups
Pepperdine Students, Faculty, Staff, Administration and Equality Riders (invitation only)
7:00 p.m. “A Christian Thing to Do: Social Action and Justice”
Soulforce Equality Ride Presentation, Drescher Auditorium
The Social Action and Justice Colloquium program at Pepperdine will host this presentation by Equality Riders. Discussion will follow regarding the wide array of responses to homosexuality in our culture and how people with diverse perspectives can respond in love. All members of the Pepperdine campus community are welcome to join SAAJ students for this program.
9:00 p.m. Prayer and Praise Service
“AIDS Awareness Week” Program, Stauffer Chapel
Sponsored by Pepperdine’s “Acting on AIDS” Student-led Ministry
This worship service will include testimonies by Pepperdine students who have responded to God’s calling to serve this broken world through the promotion of AIDS awareness prevention and advocacy on campus and beyond. The service will also include a time of reflection, prayer and worship as Pepperdine students are invited to pray that AIDS Awareness Week will touch this campus, that an impact can be made by our efforts and that those suffering can feel the compassion and love of Christ from those who have been called here on earth to act as His hands and feet.
Tuesday, March 27, 2007
10:00 a.m. Open Visiting with Equality Riders in the Fireside Room
Class Visit by 2-4 Equality Ride Members
12:00 p.m. Open Lunch with Equality Riders in the Fireside Room
Class Visit by 2-4 Equality Ride Members
1:00 p.m. Museum of Tolerance Visit
A group of Pepperdine students and the Equality Riders will share this unique interactive educational experience at the Museum of Tolerance in L.A.
5:00 p.m. Dinner Reflections
Dinner and Debriefing with Equality Riders and Pepperdine Administrators and Student Leaders (invitation only)
7:00 p.m. “Stories of Justice and Redemption from Mississippi”
Distinguished Lecture Series, Smothers Theatre
Ms. Myrlie Evers-Williams and Mr. Jerry Mitchell
9:00 p.m. Closing Prayer Service at Heroes Garden
This time of prayer is open to the Equality Riders and all members of the Pepperdine campus community to say “farewell” and to reflect on our dialogue together.
03-22-2007