SUMMER
LEADERSHIP INTENSIVE
Mondays
June 12, 19, & 26, 2023
9:00 a.m. - 4:30 p.m. Eastern
Online via Zoom
Each summer, Healthy Congregations offers opportunities to engage in the application of systems thinking to theology, leadership and organizational process in a concentrated time frame.
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Modeled on our year-long Leadership Series, Summer Intensives give the opportunity to focus on the work of thinking about emotional process and leadership in a three day format. The programs present theoretical perspectives, theological exploration as well as workplace and family application.
"Beyond Conventional Wisdom"
We will explore how what is often quoted as “conventional wisdom” in families, congregations and denominations is a sign of anxious emotional systems process. We will apply the eight Concepts of Bowen Family Systems Theory to “conventional wisdom” and explore a way of experiencing family, congregation and denominational relationships.
WHAT
Presentation of theory and practice around systems thinking,
including sessions focused on small group coaching.​
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WHEN
Mondays:
June 12, 19, 26, 2023 - 9:00 a.m. - 4:30 p.m. Eastern
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WHERE
Online via Zoom
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COST
$450
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PREPARATION
There are no prerequisites to register. Participants will be asked to do some reading in advance of the class. Other options for reading and study will be explored during the three days of the seminar. If you have already completed a family diagram, please bring it along to class.
Summer Intensive Facilitators:
Rev. Lori Ann Strang
Rev. Martin Billmeier
June 12, 2023
"Family Conventional Wisdom"
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“Remember what your name is.”: The myth of family shame.
“If you do that, it will kill your mother.”: The myth of ancestral responsibility.
“She always was your favorite.”: The myth of the family star.
“Now don’t tell your father about that. You know how he gets.”: The myth of secrecy.
“If only we could only fix our oldest son, everything would be all right.”: The myth of the black sheep.
“Don’t talk about religion and politics.”: The myth of false harmony.
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Presentation Topics:
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Introduction to the Eight Concepts
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Application of Concepts to Family Conventional Wisdom: Nuclear Family Emotional process diagrammed
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9:00 - 10:00 Presentation
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10:00 - 10:30 Break
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10:30 -12:00 Presentation
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12:00 - 12:30 Lunch
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12:30 - 1:00 Video on Family Systems Theory
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1:00 - 1:30 Break
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1:30 - 4:30 Family Diagram Coaching
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June 19, 2023
"Congregational Conventional Wisdom"
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“We have to get back to the way it used to be.”: The myth of the golden years.
“The minister comes in here and expects us to do what they want.”: The myth of helplessness.
“We’re one big family here.”: The myth of consensus is best.
“If they’re so upset, let them go. They’re troublemakers anyway.”: The myth of good-riddance.
“If we could just get the right pastor in here, everything would be all right.”: The myth of the messiah.
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Presentation Topics:
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Triangles & Congregations
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Family Projection Process & Congregations
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9:00 - 10:00 Presentation
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10:00 - 10:30 Break
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10:30 -12:00 Presentation
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12:00 - 12:30 Lunch
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12:30 - 1:00 Video on Family Systems Theory
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1:00 - 1:30 Break
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1:30 - 4:30 Family Diagram Coaching
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June 26, 2022
"Denominational Conventional Wisdom"
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“There are good congregations and bad ones.”: The myth of plums and pits.
“Beware of the alligators.”: The myth of unfixable laypeople.
“Former pastors must leave the church they served.”: The myth of interference.
“Clergy should announce leaving no more than six months beforehand.”: The myth of the lame duck.
“We need a strong church hierarchy.”: The myth of authority knows best.
“Listening posts reveal what’s under the surface of a congregation.”: The myth of denominational objectivity.
“If a parish is conflicted and the bishop requests it, the pastor must resign.”: The myth of the scapegoat.
“The denomination represents the victim in misconduct cases.”: The myth of the denominational system as victim.
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Presentation Topics:
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Societal Emotional Process
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Differentiation & Denominations
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9:00 - 10:00 Presentation
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10:00 - 10:30 Break
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10:30 -12:00 Presentation
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12:00 - 12:30 Lunch
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12:30 - 1:00 Video on Family Systems Theory
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1:00 - 1:30 Break
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1:30 - 4:30 Family Diagram Coaching
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