Back to basics: The Triangle 6

Posted on June 30, 2009 by Israel Galindo

We continue the series on basic concepts in Bowen Family Systems Theory (BFST). Today’s question: What suggestions do you have for pastoral leaders for seeing triangles more clearly? What about how they manage themselves in the inevitable triangles? Continue reading →

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Back to basics: The Triangle 5

Posted on June 29, 2009 by Israel Galindo

We continue the series on basic concepts in Bowen Family Systems Theory (BFST). Today’s question:How does our family of origin influence how we function in triangles? Continue reading →

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Back to basics: The Triangle 4

Posted on June 26, 2009 by Israel Galindo

We continue the series on basic concepts in Bowen Family Systems Theory (BFST). Today’s question: Are there “healthy” and “unhealthy” triangles (or ways of being in key triangles)? If so, what’s the difference? Continue reading →

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Back to basics: The Triangle 3

Posted on June 25, 2009 by Israel Galindo

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 →

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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: Continue reading →

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Back to basics: The Triangle 1

Posted on June 23, 2009 by Israel Galindo

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 →

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

Posted on June 3, 2009 by Israel Galindo

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 →

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

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Can you see triangles?

Posted on May 26, 2009 by Israel Galindo

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 →

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