THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1994, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: THURSDAY, June 16, 1994 TAG: 9406150226
SECTION: SUFFOLK SUN PAGE: 08 EDITION: FINAL
SOURCE: BY FRANK ROBERTS, STAFF WRITER
DATELINE: 940616 LENGTH: SUFFOLK
``When I was in McLean, I had a community ministry program, including a youth ministry,'' said Vaughn. ``I worked with the juvenile court and school guidance officers - kids in trouble.
{REST} ``I became aware of adolescent problems, especially teen sexuality, and I wondered why churches do so little in this field.''
Sexuality in family life is only one of many interests for Vaughn, who is the pastor for two United Methodist churches - Providence in Suffolk and Woodland in Isle of Wight County.
His wife, the former Baine Shamburger of Ashland, sings in both choirs and plays organ in both churches.
Once a year, Vaughn's sermon takes a dramatic turn. He dresses in Biblical garb, walking amidst the congregation ``to make the scripture come alive.''
Vaughn practices what he preaches - helping others.
He is an advanced life support provider with the Nansemond-Suffolk and Windsor volunteer rescue squads. In 1992, he was named Squad Person of the Year in Suffolk.
``Often, in the emergency room, I double as rescue squad chaplain,'' said the 40-year-old pastor, who also teaches cardiopulmonary resuscitation for the communities he serves.
He teaches and preaches in sign language, too, something he started in a Richmond church where he was pastor.
``I used to be with the United Methodist Congress of the Deaf,'' said Vaughn, who once served as one of its national officers. ``I was keynote speaker at this year's annual convention.''
Add to that his membership on the Commission on the Ministry to Persons With Handicapping Conditions.
Vaughn served churches in Richmond, McLean and Alexandria before coming to the Suffolk area three years ago. He received his calling when he was a teenager.
``In high school I knew God was calling me,'' he said. ``In college, my faith got stronger and stronger.''
Vaughn has a Master of Divinity degree from Wesley Theological Seminary in Washington, D.C., and a Ph.D. in Education from the University of Pennsylvania.
He is working on a degree in sexuality from Randolph-Macon College.
``It's one of two schools in the country offering graduate level work in sex education,'' Vaughn said.
He also works with the State Department of Health Center for Disease Control, reviewing requests by local health departments for funding for AIDS education.
One of Vaughn's goals is to ``unite a sense of spirituality with one's sexuality.
``Our Christian history often separates body from mind,'' Vaughn said. ``We're still recipients of that kind of dualism. Sex is part of who you are.''
Vaughn makes it clear he is against sex outside of marriage, but he is against the idea of the subject not being openly discussed in the religious community.
He discusses the subject at Randolph-Macon, where he teaches as a visiting faculty member.
``I teach religion and sexuality,'' said Vaughn, who is certified as a sex educator by the American Association of Sex Educators, Counselors and Therapists.
``Put sex in anything, and people will flock to it,'' he said.
``Often, people in the church don't talk about it. They say sex is dirty. How can that be - when it's God's good gift?''
by CNB