Today six of the leaders at my church, and I, attended an all-day “Transformation Training” event (sponsored by National Capital Presbytery). I am so impressed with each of the six of them (100% participation!) for their dedication and their gifts for ministry. I’m also impressed with them as a group, the lighthearted way they interact, and yet the depth of insight into church process issues. It was worth giving up a beautiful Saturday to be together at the training, so that’s really saying something.
We reviewed the 8 basic concepts of family system theory (a la Murray Bowen), and began to apply them to church leadership. Here are a couple thoughts worth hanging on to
- the whole can be understood only by the interaction of the parts
- parts mutually influence each other
- anxiety is viral and looks for a host
- “anxiety creates its own disaster”
- that which we fear we draw to ourselves
- chronic anxiety creates mindless obedience
- the leaders main job is to stay less-anxious
- keep your intention firmly in mind
- pay attention to how my own reactivity affects the system
- separate intellectual and emotional functioning, stop and observe these
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make decisions only when there is clarity on the above
We also worshipped together, walked a labyrinth, and played with Legos. A very good day.
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