In-person
Online
For Clergy
For Students
In this seminar, Dr. Warren Kinghorn, Esther Colliflower Associate Professor of the Practice of Pastoral and Moral Theology, and M.T.S. student Jessa Potvin Godek, who is also the research and operations manager for Godly Response to Abuse in the Christian Environment (GRACE), will discuss what Godek has learned from being part of GRACE's institutional response team, how cultural shifts have affected how Christian communities respond to abuse, and how future clergy at Duke can take action now to strengthen the safety of their Church environment. Audience members will have a chance to ask questions.
GRACE is a nonprofit organization that walks alongside churches and other Christian organizations to help them respond to and prevent all forms of abuse and misconduct. GRACE is widely known for the integrity and professionalism of its its institutional response team, which conducts independent investigation services. They have helped countless organizations address child maltreatment, child sexual abuse, adult clergy sexual abuse, intimate partner violence, spiritual abuse, emotional abuse, elder abuse, sexual harassment, adult sexual assault, financial misconduct, and other boundary violations.
Lunch will be available for the first 30 in-person attendees. Register to join virtually.
Jessa Potvin Godek
Jessa Potvin Godek is an M.T.S. student at Duke Divinity School and a resource and operations manager at Godly Response to Abuse in the Christian Environment (GRACE). In her current role, she provides writing and research support for GRACE's institutional response team, which is conducts independent investigations. She has also previously presented on abusive uses of Scripture for the American Professional Society on the Abuse of Children.
Jessa joined GRACE hoping to help those facing the difficulty and loneliness she encountered when she raised concerns about a minister's conduct. She is passionate about helping churches care for individuals who have been manipulated, deceived, and harmed in places of faith where they had hoped to be safe. She believes that it is crucial for the church to recognize that any of us can be taken advantage of, disoriented, wounded, or preyed upon.