Date of Award

2026

Document Type

Project Portfolio

Degree Name

Doctor of Leadership in Global Perspectives (DLd)

Department

Seminary

First Advisor

Karen Tremper, PhD

Second Advisor

Mario Hood, DMin

Third Advisor

Jason Swan Clark, DMin

Abstract

In the world of 24/7 access to the internet, it has been determined that Christian universities have students who struggle with a habit of viewing pornography impacting current and future relationships, with God, self, and others. These students graduate and are sent out into the world where they continue to struggle with pornography use and its accompanying guilt and shame. It is an injustice for the university and the church (worldwide) not to address this problem.

Research for this project confirms that pornography use is an issue both inside and outside the church. Christians are quick to identify pornography as a problem; yet they are slow to get involved in addressing the problem, thus perpetuating the injustice. Research also suggests that while this project was designed for a university setting, churches might serve as better recipients.

I serve as a faculty member at a Christian University with an enrollment of around two thousand students located in rural Central Ohio. With the help of faculty, staff, and students it was decided that a curriculum for a small group study would be developed. The curriculum focuses on addressing pornography’s impact on relationships with God, self, and others.

This curriculum seeks to educate participants about (1) what pornography is and why people use it, (2) what it means to be created in the image of God and pornography’s impacts on that image, (3) how pornography impacts brain functioning, (4) how shame can perpetuate pornography use, and (5) ways to give and get help for those who struggle with pornography use. This curriculum also seeks to create a culture where discussing pornography is no different than discussing other vices such as gambling and drug use. Finally, it seeks to establish accountability networks to assist those who want help in stopping their pornography use.

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