I had a conversation recently with someone about “how to teach systems theory,” a question that comes up more frequently with the growing interest in systems theory related to clergy and congregaional leadership. I’m convinced that most people go about this the wrong way, tending to focus on teaching the content and concepts of the theory. They wind up teaching “about” systems theory (academically) but making little headway into actually “teaching” systems theory (if-you-know-what-I-mean).
I’ve heard one misguided attempt at this in a preaching-worship context. A pastor of a congregation, convinced of the value of the theory to congregational life and enthusiastic in teaching it to the congregation attempted to do so in the sermon. It was dismal and painful to watch. A misunderstanding of both sermon-craft and the theory.
Attached is an attempt to describe the intersection between BFST and the pastoral function of preaching. I’ve pitched the piece as an article to a couple of periodicals, but here’s an advanced look. What do you think<%media(20070214-GalindoSystemsSermon1.pdf|Galindo, Systems Sermons)%>?
