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Category Archives: bowen family systems theory
Coming of Age
I finally got around to watching a DVD from Netflix that’s been sitting on the coffee table for about a month (thank goodness for that “no late fees” policy!). The movie was House of D. In the movie a thirteen-year-old … Continue reading
What your brain thinks
An advantageous reminder is that while we are blessed with the power of cognition, we remain biological creatures often at the mercy of our phylogeny. This is advantageous when we recognize it, and, when the instinctual, non-rational part of our … Continue reading
Posted in bowen family systems theory, development theory, personal growth
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The facts about reactivity
Leaders often get caught by surprise by reactivity. That’s no surprise given that reactivity often feels like a dose of intense raw emotion. That kind of energy goes right to the amygdala triggering reactivity on the part of the recipient … Continue reading
Posted in bowen family systems theory, leadership
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Book review: Seeds for the Future, by Dale
Opening this “seed catalog,†as author Bob Dale calls his book on organic church leadership (Seeds for the Future: Growing Organic Leaders for Living Churches. St. Louis, MO: Lake Hickory Resources, 2005), you are struck almost immediately by central themes … Continue reading
Posted in books, bowen family systems theory, congregational life, leadership
Tagged Bob Dale, church growth, congregational leaders, Israel Galindo, Seeds for the future
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On ideology: two sides of the same coin
Elections can provide endless entertainment, if you’re into that sort of thing. But there’s enough drama at all levels to provide a source of amusement for most people, not the least of which is to watch ideologues in action. Liberals … Continue reading
Posted in bowen family systems theory, congregational life, leadership
Tagged ideology, Israel Galindo, leadership, theory
1 Comment
The pastor’s function as coach
I’m often surprised at the disconnect that we clergy have from our congregation in several areas. One I see especially seems counterintuitive. We go to conferences to feed our own growth about spirituality and faith, and then fail to share … Continue reading
Posted in bowen family systems theory, leadership
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It only takes a few of them
Forced terminations of clergy remains one of the most difficult, and often tragic, issues for congregations. A congregation can take years to recover from the forced termination o a pastor—and so also for the pastor. A single episode can become … Continue reading
Posted in bowen family systems theory, congregational life, leadership
Tagged church crisis, clergy, factions, forced termination, Israel Galindo, ministering to ministers foundation
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Are humans a “pack animal”?
I finally got around to doing a presentation on “Leadership Lessons from the Dog Whisperer.†It was a fun presentation and seemed well-received. As often happens in plenary presentations participants will focus on the immediate concepts as a frame of … Continue reading
Roles vs. Function in BFST
I recently received an e-mail from a Leadership in Ministry Workshops participant asking about the distinction between role and function often made in Bowen Family Systems Theory (BFST). This distinction is often difficult for folks to make, but I think … Continue reading
Posted in bowen family systems theory, congregational life, leadership
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Emotional process, leadership, and anxiety
In preparation for an upcoming presentation I’ve been examining the dynamics of emotional process and anxiety as they relate to leadership. Since my orientation for this study is Bowen Family Systems Theory (BFST) my definition of leadership is related to … Continue reading
Posted in bowen family systems theory, children
Tagged Bowen Family Systems, family, Israel Galindo, leadership, parents
3 Comments
