Preparing for Conversion Therapy Bans – Manitoba

The Government of Canada has now passed a conversion therapy ban that may have far-reaching implications for church leaders, teachers, and parents. In order to prepare the Church to faithfully navigate these conversion therapy bans, ARPA Canada and Free to Care are (co-)hosting an event in Winnipeg, Manitoba. The format for this weekend conference is outlined below.

Part 1: Information Evenings

The information session on Friday evening is designed for any Christians, their friends, and their neighbours who are interested in understanding the issue of conversion therapy and how poorly drafted legal bans have negative effects not only on the Christian and broader community but also on our LGBTQ neighbours. Doors open at 7:00 PM and the presentations begin at 7:30 sharp. Everyone welcome!

Please register for one of the Friday evening session below:

Winnipeg, MB: September 16

Part 2: Practical Workshops & Breakout Sessions

The practical training Saturday session is tailored to (but not exclusively for) church office bearers, pastors, ministry leaders, and teachers building off of the Friday evening information evening. They seek to:

Assist elders and pastors to respond well to church members’ questions about sexual ethics and/or identity
Help elders and pastors speak about issues of sexual ethics and personal identity in ways that are biblically sound and that are aware of political and legal sensitivities
Provide advice for pastors regarding the manner in which they can address sensitive issues in their sermons
Help churches formulate / develop / adapt church policies

This session begins at 8:00 AM sharp, and we hope to wrap up by noon.

Please register for the Saturday session below. Please note, if you hope to join us for the Saturday session, we highly recommend that you attend a Friday session as well.

Winnipeg, MB: September 17

Each event will feature André Schutten, legal counsel and the director of law & policy with ARPA Canada, and Jojo Ruba, the executive director of Free to Care. Each event will be moderated by Ed Hoogerdyk the provincial manager in Alberta.