Leadership Series 2026-27
The Leadership Series is an opportunity for leaders across professions (pastors, religious leaders, educators, administrators, and health professionals) to enrich and expand their ability to apply principles of systems thinking to self, family, and organizations.
The year is composed of monthly seminars that promote in-depth thinking through the lens of Bowen Family Systems Theory. The seminar includes plenary presentations, application of systems theory to workplace and family, and small group coaching. Practical application of theory through working with a coach for an extended period of time is at the heart of systems thinking.
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Online and In-Person attendance options are available. Dates for each option are listed below.
GETTING STARTED
Application & Registration Process
We invite all participants to do some thinking prior to the start of the program by completing an application and preparing a family diagram of three generations. The application is a series of questions to prepare you for the perspective and process of the program. Resources for completing the family diagram are available.
For "new" applicants, a conversation with one of the group consultation facilitators will follow the receipt of your application. ​A non-refundable deposit of $50 that will be credited towards your registration cost is due at the time of application. *If you are paying in full (Early Bird or Individual Registration), the deposit is included and does not have to be paid seperately.
1. Application: Please complete the
appropriate application by Sept. 3, 2026.
Application for NEW participants, or those last participating prior to 2023.
Application for CONTINUING participants.
2. Family Diagram: New applicants are asked to prepare a family diagram of three generations. Diagrams can be uploaded to the application, or emailed to office@healthycongregations.com
Guidelines for the Family Diagram
How to Build a Family Diagram
3. Registration: Complete the registration process by paying the application fee, full course fee, or selecting the payment plan option.
Registration Opens May 18, 2026!
First-time participants in need of financial assistance should apply for a Peter L. Steinke Memorial Scholarship:
ONLINE SEMINAR SERIES
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DATES​​​
​Thursday, September 17, 2026 (Orientation)​
Thursday, October 15, 2026
Thursday, November 19, 2026
Thursday, January 21, 2027
Thursday, February 18, 2027
Thursday, March 18, 2027
Thursday, April 15, 2027
​Special Event & Leadership Series Capstone
Event: TBD​​
SCHEDULE
(1:00 - 4:30 p.m. Eastern)
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1:00- 2:30 p.m.: Broadening perspective through the lens of systems theory (Part 1)
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2:30 - 3:00 p.m.: Break
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3:00am - 4:30 p.m.: Broadening perspective through the lens of systems theory (Part 2)
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*Monthly online coaching groups will be scheduled by the consultation group during orientation. (3.5 hours monthly)
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Online participants will receive a link to watch the "Lunch" Video presentation at their convenience.
Location
Online via Zoom
IN-PERSON SEMINAR SERIES
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DATES
​Friday, September 18, 2026 (Orientation)
Friday, October 16, 2026
Friday, November 20, 2026
Friday, January 22, 2027
Friday, February 19, 2027
Friday, March 19, 2027
Friday, April 16, 2027
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Special Event & Leadership Series Capstone Special Event: TBD ​​
SCHEDULE
(8:30 a.m. - 4:30 p.m. Eastern)
8:30- 10:00 a.m.: Broadening perspective through the lens of systems theory (Part 1)
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10:00 - 10:30 a.m.: Break
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10:30 - 12:00 p.m.: Broadening perspective through the lens of systems theory (Part 2)
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12:00 - 12:30 p.m.: Lunch
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12:30 - 1:30 p.m.: Bowen video presentation
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1:30 - 2:30 p.m.: Small Group Coaching - Workplace application
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2:30 - 3:00 p.m.: Break
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3:00 - 4:30 p.m.: Small Group Coaching - Family of Origin (FOO) group
Location:
All Saints Episcopal Church
5101 Johnstown Road
New Albany, Ohio 43054
MONTHLY TOPICS...
More information coming in June 2026!
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September 17/18, 2026: Orientation
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October 15/16, 2026: Anthony J. Wilgus​
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​November 19/20, 2026: Dana Runestad
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December - No Meeting
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January 21/22, 2027: Jennifer Long​
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February 18/19, 2027: Emlyn Ott​​​
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March 18/19, 2027: Anthony J. Wilgus ​
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April 15/16, 2027: Differentiation of Self: Where the Rubber Hits the Road, Jennifer Long and Dana Runestad
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May 2027: TBD:
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REQUIRED READING​
These books are essential to the Leadership Series:
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Bowen, Murray (1978). Family Therapy in Clinical Practice. Northvale, NJ: Jason Aronson. (Read Chapter 16, Theory in the Practice of Psychotherapy, for Orientation; Other chapters for other presentations - to be announced)
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Creech, R. Robert (2019). Family Systems and Congregational Life: A Map for Ministry. Grand Rapids, MI: Baker Publishing. (Recommended to Read Part 1 for Orientation)
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Harrison, Victoria (2018). The Family Diagram and Family Research: An Illustrated Guide to Tools for Working on Differentiation of Self in One's Family. Houston, TX: Center for the Study of Natural Systems and the Family.
- This book can be ordered from the Center for the Study of Natural Systems and the Family.
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Kerr, Michael (2019). Bowen Theory's Secrets: Revealing The Hidden Life of Families. New York, NY: W.W. Nortone​
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Highly Recommended Readings:
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Kerr, M. & Bowen, M. (1988). Family Evaluation: The Role of the Family as an Emotional Unit that Governs Individual Behavior and Development. New York, NY: W.W. Norton.
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Laymon, B. (2023). All the Families of the Earth: Therapists in Bible Times. Eugene, OR: Resource Publications. (Healthy Congregations Member Network 2024 Book of the Year).
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Additional readings will be added before and after sessions throughout the year, and will be provided.
SEMINAR SERIES FACILITATORS
Emlyn Ott 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 for 40 years. She graduated from the College of Wooster, holds a Master of Divinity from the Lutheran School of Theology at Chicago, and a Doctor of Ministry from Phillips Theological Seminary. After assisting in the development of the joint ELCA-LC-MS program entitled “Healthy Congregations” and serving on the Advisory Committee, Emlyn was named CEO and Executive Director of Healthy Congregations, Inc. in 2005, a role she still holds to this day. Additionally, she currently serves as Associate Professor and Director of Doctor of Ministry Programs at Bexley Seabury Seminary.
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Emlyn was born and raised in Rochester, New York, the daughter of Walter and Sybil Rawlings Ott, where her parents and their manufacturing company nurtured her interest in organizations, people, and theology. She is the older sister of a sister and a brother and the granddaughter of immigrants. Emlyn is married to Dr. Robert J. Ward, the Director of Choral Studies at The Ohio State University.
Anthony J. (Tony) Wilgus, faculty emeritus from the University of Findlay, taught social work for 28 years subsequent to a 10-year stint as a clinical social worker and administrator. After graduate school at the University of Michigan, he entered the post-graduate training program at the Georgetown Family Center from 1979-1981. Since that time, he has attended the annual symposia, presented numerous papers, and published manuscripts on a wide range of topics rooted in the family theory originated by Dr. Murray Bowen.
Dana Runestad recently retired from pastoring in the Southeast Michigan Synod of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America where, since 1986, she has served in a variety of congregations and staff positions. She's a youngest sister of three brothers and the daughter of a pastor and a nurse. After relying on every Peter Steinke book to get her through thirty years of parish ministry, she took a deeper dive into Natural Systems Theory in 2015 with 3 years in the post-graduate program at the Bowen Center in Washington D.C. From 2018-2023 she participated in their Faith Leaders Seminar. She's been in a book club for over 20 years and enjoys hiking and good TV with her husband of forty-plus years, Barry Rabe. They have two grown sons. Dana rhymes with banana. If you need a visual to remember, ask to see her tattoo.
Jennifer Long is an ordained minister in the United Church of Christ, a trained interim minister (IMN) and currently serves a UCC congregation in Florida. She has previously served churches in Wisconsin, Michigan, and New York, including pastoring an ELCA congregation in the southern tier of New York as an ecumenical partner. She graduated from the University of Hartford (1992) and Eden Theological Seminary (1996). She has participated in a variety of programs that engage Bowen Theory including five years in the Postgraduate Program at the Bowen Center for the Study of the Family (2014-2019). In almost 30 years of ministry, she has served in staff, solo, and interim roles as well as a consultant in church conflict.
Wife, mother of two, oldest sister of four, and daughter of an only son and middle daughter, she has a particular interest in points of connection between Bowen Family System Theory and spirituality, religious practice and church conflict.
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COST ​
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Tuituion for Online and In-Person participants is the same.
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The $50 non-refundable Application Deposit will be credited toward your registration costs.
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If using the papyment plan option, a deposit of $200 is required at registration. The balance of the fee is due prior to the start of the first session. (A September and January payment option is available.)
RATES
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Early Bird Registration (Before August 1, 2026): $1,350 per person (includes $50 application fee)
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Individual Registration (Beginning August 1, 2026): $1,500 per person (includes $50 application fee)
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Group Discount Rate*: $1,350 per person (includes $50 application fee per person)
*"Group Discount" applies to three or more individuals from the same organization or household
Payment Plan Option:
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$50 application fee & $200 Registration Fee due at time of registration
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$625 payment due by September 10, 2026
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$625 payment due by January 14, 2027
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DETAILS​
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Registration includes full participation in the eight month program as well as access to a systems coach in small group sessions.
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Registration includes a free 1-year membership in the Healthy Congregations Member Network, a free book of the year, and access to the Members Area of the website (a $105 value).
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Registration includes participation in the 2027 Special Event and Leadership Series Capstone.
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Individual coaching (with one’s small group coach) is available at a reduced rate.
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No reimbursement or credit for missed sessions.
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The registration cost is refundable (less the Application Deposit) until two weeks prior to the first seminar.