Each year, Healthy Congregations gathers around themes of interest to the development of emotional process and systems thinking as it applies to congregational and community life.

Past themes have included societal emotional process, sibling position and leadership in anxious times.

The 2012 National Gathering in scheduled for October 15-17, 2012 and will be held at St. Paul of the Cross Passionist Retreat Center, Detroit, Michigan.  Check back in the spring for more information on the theme of the event.

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A Review: 2011 National Gathering

The 13th Annual National Gathering focused on the theme “Getting a Fix on the Quick Fix: Disciplines and Responses in an Age of Urgency.” Participants met October 10-12 in Kansas City, Missouri, for stimulating plenary sessions, small group time, and fellowship.

One participant commented, “In a culture of the 'quick fix' and increasing anxiety, it is encouraging to learn how church leadership is more about my emotional and spiritual maturity than having the right strategies for church growth and solving the church’s problems.”

The Rev. Dr. Ronald W. Richardson shared his insights on polarization in churches. The Rev. Dr. Frank A. Thomas spoke on the connections between Bowen Theory and preaching. Susan Luff, APRN, M.S., addressed the importance of befriending one’s own anxiety. A highlight of the Gathering was the opportunity for participants to engage with each other and the speakers in informal discussion on the topics presented.

2011 National Gathering Speakers

		Susan Luff Susan M. Luff, APRN, M.S. has been a practicing family systems psychotherapist since 1972.  She has dedicated her private practice to coaching clergy leaders and other professionals.   Susan completed the Postgraduate program in Family Systems Therapy and the Biofeedback program at the Georgetown Bowen Center.  She received Family Systems-based coaching for seven years from the Director of Training at the Georgetown Bowen Center. Susan participated in group supervision and individual coaching with Rabbi Ed Friedman. Susan became a member of his original faculty for his postgraduate leadership program for clergy in 1987.  She is a co-founder and faculty for the Center for Family Process.  The Center offers a postgraduate leadership program for professionals.  After the death of Ed Friedman in 1996, The Center continued his year-long programs for clergy. For the past twenty-four years, Susan has offered presentations for clergy throughout the U.S.  She coaches both leaders and their staffs as well as groups of clergy.  She appreciates how coaching can be a resource to clergy in functioning more calmly, deeply and creatively inviting the congregation into greater maturity and a deeper spiritual life.
		Ronald Richardson Ronald Richardson has retired from his position as Executive Director and Director of Training of a metropolitan-wide pastoral counselling agency in Vancouver, Canada.  He is a member of the North Puget Sound Presbytery, a Diplomate in the American Association of Pastoral Counselors, and a Clinical Member and Supervisor in the American Association for Marriage and Family Therapy. Dr. Richardson has written extensively on the application of Bowen theory. His first book, Family Ties that Bind, was written for clients and the lay public as an introduction to the theory, and remains a best seller. This was followed by a book co-authored with his wife Lois entitled Birth Order and You. Next came Creating a Healthier Church, which is a best-selling introduction to the application of family systems theory to congregational life. He followed this up with Becoming a Healthier Pastor, which is a detailed guide to doing family of origin work that includes examples from his own family work. Becoming Your Best attempts to give some of the ethical implications of family systems theory and differentiation of self. It draws on examples from the novels of Jane Austen as well as from his own clinical practice. His latest book, Couples in Conflict, details his family systems theory approach to marital counselling for couples and is loaded with examples from his counselling practice. He is presently working on a manuscript giving a Bowen theory approach to polarization in society. This will be the topic of his presentations at the National Gathering 2011.
		Frank Thomas Frank A. Thomas is a preacher, teacher, scholar, lecturer, author, and coach called to preach and teach nationally and internationally. His life mission is to preach and teach the gospel of Jesus Christ in creative and relevant sermonic forms to offer people hope for life (Hebrews 6:19). He currently serves as the Senior Pastor of Mississippi Boulevard Christian Church in Memphis, TN.  Additionally, he hosts 15 Minutes of Faith with Dr. Frank A. Thomas, a weekly inspirational, thought provoking talk radio ministry that speaks to the well-being of body, mind and soul. His most recent book, Preaching With Sacred Fire: An Anthology of African American Sermons, 1750 to the Present, co-edited by Martha Simmons was released in 2010.  He also published, They Like to Never Quit Praisin’ God: The Role of Celebration In Preaching, considered by many to be a preaching method classic; What's Love Got To Do With It? Love, Power, Sex and God; Spiritual Maturity: Preserving Congregational Health and Balance; The Lord's Prayer In Times Such as These and 9.11.01: African American Leaders Respond to an American Tragedy, co-edited by Simmons. He is the CEO of Hope For Life International, Inc., publisher of The African American Pulpit.  Thomas holds a Ph.D. in Communications (Rhetoric) from the University of Memphis, D.Min. degrees from Chicago Theological Seminary and United Theological Seminary, a Master of Divinity degree from Chicago Theological Seminary and a Master of Arts degree in African-Caribbean Studies from Northeastern Illinois University.  He serves as adjunct professor in the Doctor of Ministry in Preaching and Master of Divinity programs at McCormick Theological Seminary, adjunct professor of preaching at Memphis Theological Seminary and teaches preaching in churches, ministerial associations, and denominational groups all over the country. Within the community, he is a member of the Tennessee Access to Justice Commission, Memphis Medical Center, Church Health Center and the Mid-South Chapter of the American Red Cross boards. Thomas and his wife, Rev. Dr. Joyce Scott Thomas, are completing training to become professional master coaches certified by the international accrediting body of coaches, the International Coaching Federation (ICF). While they are equipped to coach corporate, executive, business, life, personal, or group, their passionate areas are pastors, pastor’s spouses, and the first ever coaching in the area of preaching.