Power, Desire and Theology

Kimberly Penner works as an adjunct instructor and pastor in Christian ethics at Conrad Grebel University College, CanadaMichael Buttrey is a PhD candidate at the University of Toronto, Canada

• Introduction (Michael & Kim)Part 1 Theory1. Power (Michael) a. What is power?b. Dynamics of power and sexual abusec. Dynamics of power and spiritual abused. Church polity: does it even matter?e. Why policies and procedures cannot help eitherf. Power seeking ideology: a toolkit for how to mishandle sexual abuse 2. Sexuality (Kim)a. What is sexuality?b. Sexual violence in our institutionsc. Social inequalities as factors in sexual abuse (an intersectional look)d. What does it mean to be survivor-centred?e. Culture and policy: institutional oversight of individual sexualityf. Cultivating notions of healthy sexuality and embodiment3. Theology (Kim)a. What is theology?b. Institutional responsibility in theological formation c. Theological formation as sexual formationd. Theo-ethical norms and sexual abusee. Theo-ethical norms and sexual integrityf. Sexual integrity and spiritual wholeness Part 2 Mennonite Communities4. Fictionalized American University (Michael)a. Case study and responsesb. Teaching students instead of sleeping with themc. Charisma and the “self-sufficient man” (Willie James Jennings)d. Mennonite peaceableness – or cronyism?e. Personality vs. characterf. Everyone a prophet: revisioning the priesthood of all believers5. Fictionalized Canadian School (Kim)a. Survivor-centred fictional vignetteb. Theo-ethical norm of peacec. Role of leadership and policyd. Power and communitye. Toward erotic peace-making Part 3 Anglican/Episcopal Communities6. Fictionalized Episcopal Seminary (Carolyn)a. Case study timeline and responsesb. Hilary Scarsella on the “powerless bystander” defensec. Limited knowledge, limited responsibility, limited powerd. Church and state: juxtaposing civil and ecclesial disciplinee. Community solidarity and institutional betrayalf. Ordination processes as formation in alliance-making7. Fictionalized Canadian Diocese (Michael and Carolyn)a. Fictional vignetteb. Ingroups: creation and cultivation c. Clericalism and loving bishopsd. Patriarchy with a woman’s facee. To bind and to protect: the two uses of canon lawf. Colonial violence, white supremacy, and sexual violencePart 4 Evangelical Communities8. American Evangelical Church Planting Network (Allison Murray & Ike Shepardson)a. Case study timeline and responsesb. Evangelical notions of power & authorityc. Binary thinking and its impact on truth telling d. The cult of celebrity and the success mythe. How purity culture hurts victims of abuse9. Fictional Canadian Evangelical Church (Allison Murray & Ike Shepardson)a. Case study timeline and responsesb. Cross-border texts and parachurch influencesc. Complementarianism vs. egalitarianismd. Reluctant stars and institutional anti-institutionalisme. No rules, no recourseConclusion (Michael and Kim)