Category Archives: congregational life

Back to basics: The Triangle 2

Posted on June 24, 2009 by Israel Galindo

We continue the series on basic concepts in Bowen Family Systems Theory. Today’s question: What are common triangles in a church and organizational life? The list can be almost endless:

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A new resource for children’s missions education

Posted on June 2, 2009 by Israel Galindo

I’m pleased to announce the release of a new resource for children’s missions education: Ready! Set! Go! Children on Mission Throughout the Church Year. The book was written by the students in my Teaching Children course, co-taught by Barbara Massey, … Continue reading →

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Pentecost Prayer 2009

Posted on June 1, 2009 by Israel Galindo

I was asked to offer the Prayers of the People this Pentecost Sunday. At my former church I regularly gave the Pastoral Prayer in the worship service. As a matter of course a pastoral staff member led in that prayer … Continue reading →

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Book review: Learning the Way by Williams

Posted on March 23, 2009 by Israel Galindo

I’ve just received in the mail a copy of Learning the Way, by Cassandra Williams (Alban Institute, 2009). I was asked to write the forward to this book. Here is an edited version:

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What I’d look for in a church

Posted on March 16, 2009 by Israel Galindo

I recently attended a denominational meeting where my I.D. badge noted the name of the church of which I’m a member. That information triggered a conversation when someone reading the name of the church asked me how I liked my … Continue reading →

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Congregations during pastoral transitions

Posted on March 9, 2009 by Israel Galindo

Pastoral transitions can be anxiety-ridden times for congregations. Congregations that go through an interim period without pastoral leadership need to navigate transition without an organization’s chief resource: its leader. That transition involves many challenges, including, disruption of homeostasis, a shift … Continue reading →

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When is a cutoff not a cutoff?

Posted on March 2, 2009 by Israel Galindo

At a recent workshop with clergy on Bowen Family Systems Theory and congregational leadership one lingering question came up. When dealing with the concept of cutoffs among clergy, it has become inevitable that someone will bring up the matter of … Continue reading →

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Caught by surprise

Posted on February 23, 2009 by Israel Galindo

Every once in a while I hear something in church that catches me by surprise. It’s usually not a good surprise, admittedly. More often than not the surprising comment reveals a disconnect between my perception or assumption of church and … Continue reading →

Posted in congregational life, humor | 2 Comments

Ash Wednesday planning ideas

Posted on February 4, 2009 by Israel Galindo

GRACE member Terry sent an e-mail to the rest of the gang soliciting Ash Wednesday service ideas. Several in the group shared ways their churches have observed Ash Wednesday services in the past. But I enjoyed the response from GRACE … Continue reading →

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Book review: Leaders Who Last, by Marcuson

Posted on January 19, 2009 by Israel Galindo

Margaret Marcuson touches all the right bases in her first book for congregational leaders, Leaders Who Last: Sustaining Yourself and Your Ministry (Seabury Press, 2009). It is a primer on effective ministerial leadership based on perennial principals and much influenced … Continue reading →

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