Sexuality education training as part of the seminary experience

Abstract

ABSTRACTIn light of the recent worldwide outpouring of disclosures of sexual misconduct, religious leaders need to revisit their moral obligation to be shepherds of a broken flock. Unfortunately, research suggests that most seminaries fail to adequately equip future ministers in the area of human sexuality. Efforts to address this deficiency are now met with another challenge: a reduction in units in many seminary Master's programs such as the Master of Divinity, especially in the United States. This article presents adequate sexuality education as integral to seminary education. It also explores different options for integrating such training into the seminary curricula and into classroom pedagogy. Finally, it offers a biblical, moral summons to ‘restore what is lacking’ in the sexuality education of clergy in training.