Healthy Congregations, Inc.

This series of seminars is for leaders—pastors and leaders in religious organizations, school principals, superintendents, business leaders—who want to enrich, deepen, and otherwise expand the ability to apply principles of thinking about self, family, and workplace.

These one-day seminars are for persons who want to broaden their perspective in self, family, and workplace through the lens of Bowen theory—commonly called family systems theory or systems thinking.

Experience has shown that systems thinking cannot be learned from reading about the theory but application of theory can be enhanced by working with a coach over an extended period.

The eight concepts of Bowen Family Systems Theory will guide the process of learning. Responsibility for learning rests upon each individual.

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Participant Materials -- Download Here

Theoretical Concepts

Each one-day session will develop theoretical concepts via:

• Presentation and discussion of theoretical concepts of Bowen theory,
• Application of theory in one’s family and,
• Application of theory in the workplace.

Schedule

When (2009-2010 Seminar Series)

The seminars are held in eight one-day session from September through May (excluding December).  Our third annual Healthy Leadership Seminar series, begins in September 2009.

• September 25, 2009
  
• October 23
• November 20
• January 15, 2010
• February 19
• March 26
• April 23
• May 14

Where

Held under the auspices of Healthy Congregations, Inc. at Trinity Lutheran Seminary, 2199 E. Main St., Columbus, Ohio 43209.

Cost

$900—Registration is for eight one-day seminars. Participants are expected to enroll for and attend each of the one-day seminars. No reimbursement or credit for missed sessions.
Application fee of $100 made payable to Healthy Congregations, Inc., along with the application is due by July 15. The application fee is refundable until August 15. Participants may pay in two installments: $350 is due upon acceptance into the program. The balance of $450 is due on or before January 15.

Seminar Series Facilitators

Rev. Emlyn Ott, D.Min.

Emlyn A. Ott, D.Min. is an ordained pastor in the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America and has served as a parish pastor, campus minister, pastoral counselor, leader and seminary professor during the past 20 years. She was named the CEO and Director of the Healthy Congregations, Inc. in 2005. She holds a Master of Divinity from the Lutheran School of Theology at Chicago, a Doctor of Ministry from Phillips Theological Seminary and is a Clinical Fellow in the American Association of Pastoral Counselors. She has participated for six years in post-graduate work at The Center for Family Process and The Bowen Center for the Study of the Family. Dr. Ott currently serves as Assistant Professor of Ministry and Pastoral Leadership at Trinity Lutheran Seminary, Columbus, Ohio.

Rev. Robert I. Mathis, Ph.D.

Robert I. Mathis, Ph. D. has studied Bowen theory at the Western Pennsylvania Family Center and at The Bowen Center in the Postgraduate Program. He is a Facilitator for the Healthy Congregations Workshops and serves on the Board of Directors of Healthy Congregations, Inc. He holds a Master of Divinity from the Iliff School of Theology in Denver, CO, and a Ph.D. in Psychology with a specialization in Bowen Theory from Union Institute and University in Cincinnati, OH. Dr. Mathis is an ordained minister in the Church of God and has served churches in Colorado, Pennsylvania, and Ohio. He has a pastoral counseling practice in Dublin, OH as well as providing family systems coaching for leaders in business and non-profit organizations.

Required Reading

One from each category

Primers on Bowen theory

Gilbert, R. M. (2004). The eight concepts of Bowen theory. Falls Church, VA, Leading Systems Press.

Gilbert, R. M. (1999). "How successful parents think: A synopsis of Bowen family systems theory for parents". Connecting with our children: Guiding principles for parents in a troubled world. New York, John Wiley & Sons, Inc.: pp. 59-123.

Kerr, M. E. (2003). One family's story: A primer on Bowen theory. Washington, DC, Bowen Center for the Study of the Family.

Texts on Bowen theory

Bowen, M. (1978). Family therapy in clinical practice. New York, J. Aronson.

Friedman, E. H. (1985). Generation to generation: Family process in church and synagogue. New York, Guilford Press.

Gilbert, R. M. (1992). Extraordinary relationships: A new way of thinking about human interactions. Minneapolis, Chronimed Pub.

Kerr, M. E. and M. Bowen (1988). Family evaluation: An approach based on Bowen theory. New York, Norton.

Papero, D. V. (1990). Bowen family systems theory. Boston, Allyn and Bacon.