2008 Conference Notes
The 2008 Society for Christian Psychology Conference met in Chicago last month, and the theme was “Interpreting People and Texts.” Since the Society’s inception in 2003, a growing number of Christians from different disciplines and perspectives have been gathering to edify and educate each other with a common interest and passion for Christ-centered soul care. This year the conference drew many speakers representing their various disciplines. In addition to expected psychologists and counselors, there were theologians and philosophers, and a few laypeople. The attendees heard from keynote speakers like Leslie Vernick who shared the “TRUTH Principle” as a biblical and therapeutic model for long-term change. Dr. Kevin Vanhoozer, researcher and theologian from Trinity Evangelical introduced a dramatic model with which to understand the essence of Christianity and the human condition and also, to what extent personal identity is ‘scripted’ in the Bible. Dr. Tremper Longman encouraged all with his talk on “The Counselor as Biblical Sage,” a reminder that each believer in soul care has a journey of wisdom to experience and pass along to others. Concluding the conference, James K. A. Smith presented a philosophy of the human sciences that strongly supports a Christian psychology.
There were over twenty breakout sessions and study groups offered over the weekend. Many highlighted a uniquely Christian framework on the good clinical work being done in areas such as attachment, personality, and group work with small groups. Others explored biblically therapeutic models such as Jonathan Pennington’s presentation on the “Psychological Benefits of the Gospel of Matthew” and Bryan Maier’s discussion on the clinical implications for Christian psychology based on the Psalms of lament. The weekend was filled with various events of edification, worship, prayer, and fellowship including an evening concert and conversation with Michael Kelly Blanchard, Christian singer, songwriter and author. The Society members were once again thankful for the opportunity to meet together and share the passions of their individual ministries and professional endeavors that God has been using to build up the growing community identified with Christian Psychology. We look forward to next year’s AACC conference in Nashville, where SCP will have its own track and meetings—forming a “conference-within-a-conference,” where we will get together again, hopefully draw in some new friends, and fellowship with the larger AACC organization.
By Lia Vassiliades, M.A.
