2024 SFSAZ Conference – February 1 & 2
Attachment Theory & Our Life with God
Join us as we explore attachment theory and how it can inform that way we experience attachment to God. As we look at the attachment patterns developed though our lives, we are given insight into ways we might falsely or authentically attach to God and others. The conference will include plenary sessions with teaching, reflection, and contemplative worship. Friday will have space for personal reflection in addition to a workshop with a smaller group.
Led by the SFSAZ Team including John DelHousaye, Justin Smith, and Ted Wueste
February 1 – 6:00p-9p
February 2 – 8:30a-4p
Location: Phoenix Bible Church, 6060 N. 7th Ave., Phoenix, AZ 85013
Conference Leaders
Dr. John DelHousaye
Dr. John DelHousaye, Theologian in Residence/Soul Care at SFSAZ. John joined the ministry team after teaching at Phoenix Seminary for twenty-one years. He serves as elder of spiritual formation at Redemption Church, Alhambra. He has authored several articles and books on spiritual disciplines and enjoys listening to God with soul friends and churches.
Dr. Justin Smith
Dr. Smith is a Licensed Psychologist with over 30 years of clinical experience working with individuals, couples, and families. His areas of specialization include trauma, depression, anxiety, family-of-origin issues, betrayal, third culture issues, cross-cultural adaptation, global member care, couples, and spiritual issues. As a third culture kid (TCK), and Director of the Counseling Program at Phoenix Seminary for 16 years, he specializes in working with clergy and their families, missionaries, those preparing for ministry, fellow clinicians and health care workers, and those who have experienced spiritual abuse. He is passionate about the journey of growth, nurturing learning communities, fostering character development, building sustainable programs/structures, and developing relationships which foster change, mobilize resources, and facilitate healing and health. Dedicated to equipping and supporting emerging leaders in the mental health field, global workers and NGO’s, community and church leaders. Dr. Smith’s goal is that others may go farther, faster, accomplish more, and enjoy the journey along the way!
Dr. Ted Wueste
Ted serves as the Founder/Director of the Spiritual Formation Society of Arizona. For the last 30 years, he has served in various ministry capacities with 20 of those years serving in pastoral ministry. After serving as an associate pastor, Ted planted a church that he pastored for 9 years and then served as an Executive Pastor of Spiritual Formation for 6 years. Ted designed and taught in a Spiritual Formation program at Phoenix Seminary for seven years, and now enjoys a ministry of spiritual direction, retreat leading, and teaching. Ted is the coordinator for a spiritual direction training program in Arizona (Selah) and serves as Senior Faculty. He has written several books on the spiritual journey as well as devotionals and study guides that many have found helpful. You can reach Ted at [email protected] and learn more about his spiritual formation ministry at www.desertdirection.com.
Micah Bentley – Worship leader
Micah has a passion for curating and leading in spaces to experience God’s goodness and love through all expressions of worship and art. As a practicing singer/songwriter he has spent years experiencing God’s presence in the sacred and the secular through my relationship and work with the music and arts. As a spiritual director he loves to journey alongside others in their growing relationships with Jesus. My greatest passion is my family which includes my wife Ashley and my 2 kids Brighten and Elliotte.
Schedule
Thursday, February 1, 2024
6:00p – Registration
6:30 – Welcome and Introduction
6:45 – Worship and Prayer
7:15 – Plenary Session
8:30 – Prayer/Reflection/Dismiss
Friday, February 2, 2024
9-12 plenary sessions/personal reflection
12 – lunch
1:30-4:00 break out sessions/plenary session
BREAKOUT GROUPS
On Friday afternoon you will have the choice to participate in a Process Group with a spiritual director OR a Discussion Group.
Process Groups Quite often at a conference there is a lot of content, but not a lot of time to process and pray. We believe there is a high value in hearing from others and having others hear from you. We’re offering process groups as a safe place to dig further into what has been shared by the guest speaker. Process groups will be facilitated by a trained spiritual director. In these groups, there will be time for guided reflection, discussion, and sharing as we seek to listen to and be attentive to how the Lord is forming us. No one will be forced to talk or share but the space will be there to reflect and listen as well as share as one feels led. Each spiritual director is skilled in listening intently and asking helpful questions to explore what is being uncovered with God in the time together.
Discussion Groups
Attachment and the Body – Renee Clark Your body is a temple where God chooses to dwell. This workshop will be a contemplative, experiential way of connecting with God as we journey through the Tabernacle with Jesus to the holy of holies.
The Love of God as Connection – Tom Ashbrook “The greatest of these is love.” 1 Cor 13:13 How do you love? We’ll look at how we experience God’s love and love with others in light of what we’re learning about attachment theory.
Diving Deeper with Attachment Theory – Aubrey Clark Wanting to explore the concepts of attachment theory even further? Join our discussion group ‘Diving Deeper with Attachment Theory’ after the seminar to have the chance to ask questions, meet with other curious learners, and explore how knowing your attachment style can impact relationships, work, faith, ministry, and more.
