As married disciples, we get the opportunity to attend some truly great, inspirational, and helpful marriage retreats and workshops. One of the areas of great need in our marriages is getting help in our sexual relationships. The sexual relationship can be a great source of joy and meaning and it can also be full of struggle and discouragement and in much need of change and healing. It is an area that most couples strongly want help to improve and grow in, but do not know where the resources are to get that help.
The Intimate Marriage workshops are presented by Tim and Jennifer Konzen from the San Diego Church of Christ. Tim is a deacon in the church a business owner, and a program manager for a defense firm. Jennifer has a doctorate in marriage and family therapy and is an author, researcher, and professor. She is a licensed marriage and family therapist (MFC#51241), a certified chemical dependency counselor, and a certified sex therapist. Her nationally awarded research has been dedicated to helping Christian couples overcome challenges and reach greater depths of connection and joy in their sexual intimacy.
So, if you came to one of their workshops, what would you see and learn and experience? Well, as one brother said, “Wow! I heard two ‘V’ words in one sentence.” The workshops do include explanations about the physiological workings and challenges involved in sexuality. Couples have the opportunity to learn about God’s view of sexuality and how their sexual relationship fits (or is not fitting) in the context of being a disciple.
Topics include working on overall communication to create the close bond God wants us to have, and learning and talking about the kinds of time together and the kinds of touch and affection needed in the marital relationship. Workshops also include teaching and experiential exercises to help couples communicate about sexuality and to overcome the relational, spiritual, emotional, or physical challenges they are facing in their sexual relationship.
What people are saying:
“With the media’s glamorizing and modeling unspiritual relationships and dysfunctional sexuality, Christians are woefully unprepared and behind the curve in answering with something better. This changed markedly when I went to the Konzen’s sessions on married sexuality! Done in a very appropriate and tasteful manner, Tim and Jennifer discuss extensively the physical aspects of sexuality and unlock the mysteries of this God-given experience. Indeed, even though my career is in healthcare, I still had so many questions I was too embarrassed to ask and their classes provided clinically relevant information, removed the mystery, and created a venue where I felt confident to ask even the sensitive and silly questions.”
“Tim and Jennifer Konzen presented on focused issues that are pertinent to marriages and sex today. I appreciate that a good bulk of it was on physical intimacy because usually it is merely just touched upon. Honestly, I was scared at first, but I appreciate that we heard from not only professionals but also disciples from our church. Tim and Jennifer did a great job being on point about some of the most poignant issues with intimacy...both physically and emotionally. It's great because Jennifer works in the profession so she can address recent issues really well. And I loved the emphasis on God's view about intimacy...They tied it all in really well.”
“This year's marriage retreat was truly incredible! I believe that it was the best marriage retreat yet...very informative, real, practical, honest and very needed for our church.”
“Personally, I think Tim and Jennifer did a great job being honest and real talking about physical intimacy without being lewd or worldly. I have a whole new respect and understanding about marriage and God's purpose and will with marriage. It was truly enriching, informative, apropos and needed.”
“Jennifer was explicit but it was needed. She did it honestly yet tactfully and made it funny and real. I pray that the rest of the church would be more open to facing the real issues about physical intimacy that may very well be affecting most of our marriages today.”
The Konzens and their workshops come recommended by the entire staff and the lead evangelist and elders of the San Diego church. They have given presentations in the United States and will be presenting this year internationally. To learn more, contact Tim and Jennifer at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. or This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.