Category Archives: bowen family systems theory

The myth of confidentiality and the binding triangle

Posted on April 27, 2007 by igalindo

During a recent consultation I tried to help a minister work through some stuckness. He was stuck in what I call a “binding triangle” as a result of falling into the trap of the myth of confidentiality. A church member … Continue reading →

Posted in bowen family systems theory | 2 Comments

Ministering from the right side of the brain

Posted on April 24, 2007 by igalindo

I’ve been a lifelong doodler. In fact, my college notes look more like sketchbooks than notebooks (and the doodles are the only reason I’ve kept some of my college notes). Even today pencil and paper aren’t far from reach in … Continue reading →

Posted in bowen family systems theory, Design, second chair | 1 Comment

Ministry years

Posted on April 23, 2007 by igalindo

Recently someone started a conversation with me by saying, “You were right.” “What about?” I asked. He explained that he was having a real tough year in ministry. He was experiencing a lot of frustration and restlessness, with periods of … Continue reading →

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“The Rules”

Posted on April 21, 2007 by igalindo

Attached is the article notes of a recent presentation titled “The Rules.” The article highlights fifteen “rules” about leadership in the congregational setting. These “derivative rules” are informed by Bowen Family Systems Theory. You can download the article here: galindotherules.pdf … Continue reading →

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Shameless self-promotion

Posted on April 18, 2007 by igalindo

An article by Israel Galindo appears in the current issue of Congregations magazine from Alban Institute. The article is titled “What’s Systems Theory Got to Do with It?: Addressing Congregations’ Emotional Processs in Our Preaching.” In it, Galindo says, “The … Continue reading →

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Teaching the unteachable

Posted on April 14, 2007 by igalindo

Sometimes I get the nagging suspicion that there may be some things that are “unteachable.” Ironically, those things may be the most important things we want to teach, things like maturity, emotional intelligence, faith, and the usable part of systems … Continue reading →

Posted in bowen family systems theory, children, Christian Education | 1 Comment

First and second order change in systems

Posted on April 12, 2007 by igalindo

In the field of community psychology (yes, there is a field of community psychology), the theory of “logical types” and the concepts of first and second order change can help us understanding some aspects of addressing homeostasis in relationship systems. … Continue reading →

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Know thyself . . . or not

Posted on April 11, 2007 by igalindo

The idea of self-differentiation has within it the hint of the idea of the necessity to “know thyself.” Evidence of this is the emphases on achieving insight into how we got to be who we are (family of origin work) … Continue reading →

Posted in bowen family systems theory, philosophy, world view | 1 Comment

Hacks and professionals

Posted on April 10, 2007 by igalindo

In his book, A Failure of Nerve, Ed Friedman writes about the tendency of ineffective leaders who exhibit the tendency to seek the “quick fix” and the obsession with methods, techniques, and programs rather than engage in the hard work … Continue reading →

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Selective hearing

Posted on April 3, 2007 by igalindo

I recently was asked to respond to an alumnus (a pastor of a church) about his displeasure over the choice of the seminary’s new president-elect. I was asked to respond as someone who had been a member of the now-defunct … Continue reading →

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