Back to basics: The Triangle 3

Posted on June 25, 2009 by igalindo

We continue the series on basic concepts in Bowen Family Systems Theory (BFST). Today’s question: What are some misundertandings about triangles?

Some of the most common misunderstandings about triangles I hear are: Continue reading →

Posted in bowen family systems theory, congregational life, leadership | Tagged , , , | Comments Off on Back to basics: The Triangle 3

Back to basics: The Triangle 2

Posted on June 24, 2009 by igalindo

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: Continue reading →

Posted in bowen family systems theory, congregational life, leadership | Tagged , , | 2 Comments

Back to basics: The Triangle 1

Posted on June 23, 2009 by igalindo

A story is told of legendary Packers football coach Vince Lombardi, whose toughness and demand for excellence turned the losing Green Bay football team into a championship organization. The story goes that after a particularly dismal practice he halted the drills and called the players together. He announced that they needed to start from the beginning, by paying attention to the fundamentals. At which point he held up the ball and said, “Gentlemen, this is a football.”

One fundamental of Bowen Systems Theory (BFST) is the triangle. Sometimes we tell struggling novices to the theory, “If you understand triangles you’ve got 90% of the theory.” Recently I was interviewed by author and consultant Margaret Marcuson on the topic of triangles. It afforded me an opportunity to go back to basics and think about this fundamental concept. In the next few blogs I’ll share portions of that interview and the prompting questions from Margaret. Here’s the first:
How would you define a triangle? Continue reading →

Posted in bowen family systems theory, leadership | Tagged , , | 2 Comments

Lori Strickland is the 2009 G.R.A.C.E. Award Winner

Posted on June 3, 2009 by igalindo

We are please to announce that BTSR student Lori Strickland is the recipient of the 2009 GRACE award. Congratulations, Lori! The G.R.A.C.E. Award is given to a student enrolled in the M.Div./Christian Education Formation concentration who shows the most promise of exemplary contribution to the profession of the pastoral educator. Continue reading →

Posted in Christian Education | Tagged , , , , | Comments Off on Lori Strickland is the 2009 G.R.A.C.E. Award Winner

A new resource for children’s missions education

Posted on June 2, 2009 by igalindo

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, Minister to Children at the River Road Church, Richmond, VA. Continue reading →

Posted in books, children, Christian Education, congregational life, curriculum, liturgical seasons | Tagged , , , , | Comments Off on A new resource for children’s missions education

Pentecost Prayer 2009

Posted on June 1, 2009 by igalindo

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 during Sunday worship, and on occasion, a church member would. The practice is opposite at my current church, where the norm is to have the Prayers of the People led by a church member, and on occasion, a pastoral staff member leads it. Here is the prayer for Pentecost Sunday: Continue reading →

Posted in bible, congregational life, liturgical seasons, Prayer, worship | Tagged , , , | 2 Comments

Can you see triangles?

Posted on May 26, 2009 by igalindo

A couple of times in my past I’ve gotten hit on the head hard enough to see spots. One time, blindsided by two linesmen in a game of football who came at me from either side, I saw swirling spots. The experience of getting blindsided can leave us seeing spots, but, in the case of leadership, it would be more helpful if it resulted in our ability to see the triangle that spawened the anxiety that triggered the reaction that hit us with the equivalence of emotional blunt-force trauma. Can you see those triangles coming? Continue reading →

Posted in bowen family systems theory, leadership, personal growth | Tagged , , | Comments Off on Can you see triangles?

The good stuff, or, why did the chicken cross the road?

Posted on May 11, 2009 by igalindo

A student from my January philosophy course recently came by the office to follow up on some lingering questions. It’s always a good sign when a student pursues learning after the conclusion a course. It hints that one has achieved a measure of retention, sustained interest, and perhaps tweeked at least a curiosity if not a thirst for learning. It seems to me that the nature of studying enduring subject matter (philosophy, history, etc.) tends to have that effect more so than the more entertaining “designer” courses teachers often foist on their undiscerning students. Continue reading →

Posted in humor, personal growth, philosophy | Tagged , , , | 1 Comment

The Brain and Learning 7

Posted on May 5, 2009 by igalindo

Some years ago I took a seminar with communication guru Edwin Tufte. He concluded his seminar on communication and design with a film of a magician’s performance. The short film was a clever and effective way to demonstrate some of the principles of how the brain “sees” and interprets “information.” More specifically, it demonstrated how understanding these principles of perception, and applying them for their purpose, magicians are able to fool the brain through intentional misdirection, deception, and obfuscation. Continue reading →

Posted in Design, teaching | Tagged , , | 1 Comment

The brain and learning, 6

Posted on May 4, 2009 by igalindo

Today’s brain and learning concept: the brain learns through conscious and unconscious processes. A great deal of the insights we acquire and the patterns that we grasp are a consequence of ongoing unconscious processing, perhaps more than we realize or care to admit. Neuroscientist Joseph LeDoux (1996) wrote that he processes of the “cognitive unconscious span many levels of mental complexity, all the way from the routine analysis of the physical features of stimuli by our sensory systems to remembrance of past events to speaking grammatically to imagining things that are not present, to decision making, and beyond.” Continue reading →

Posted in bowen family systems theory, Christian Education, development theory, personal growth, teaching | Tagged , , , , , , | 1 Comment