Category Archives: bowen family systems theory

I’m just back from three days at the Lost River spring session of Leadership in Ministry Workshop (LIM). One presentation re-visited the topic of the brain and systems theory, and one other made reference to the brain’s functioning as a … Continue reading →

Rick, yes, I think that much of the value of working on our family-of-origin and on our personal growth (working toward individuation, our maturity, working at being more self-differentiated, etc.) is that we are better able to change our ways … Continue reading →

I recently observed a system go through about a week of acute anxiety which spawned reactivity in the system. All systems experience episodes of acute anxiety, of course, but systems manifest it differently. Relatively stable and non-anxious, high-functioning systems seem … Continue reading →

Yesterday someone asked me what I meant when I said I �don�t question people�s motives.� I find that engaging in questioning (or second-guessing) the motives people have for doing things is a fruitless exercise. First of all, the cause of … Continue reading →

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 … Continue reading →

I received an e-mail from a doctoral student who is doing his work on Bowen Family Systems theory and churches. He asked, “…I wonder if you might provide a comment on Societal Emotional Process’s effects in the church. I am … Continue reading →