Leadership in the Anxious Congregation

A Family Systems Perspective

This Seminar Will Help You...

• Distinguish Between Acute Anxiety and Chronic Anxiety

• Examine the Roots of Anxiety

• Compare the Family Projection Process as Understood in

Bowen Family Systems Theory, with René Girard’s

Understanding of Scapegoating

• Gain Insight into How the Scapegoating Process Impacts

Church Conflict

• Understand Emotional Triangles and the Importance of

Maintaining Non-Anxious Presence

• Recognize the Role of Playfulness in Defusing Anxiety

• See Self-Differentiated Leadership as a Key to Overcoming the

Impact ofAnxiety

• Enhance your role as a leader in the church.

“..So we, though many, are one body in Christ, and

individually members one of another.” (Romans 12:5)

Leadership in the Anxious Congregation is based on content

from Healthy Congregations designed by Peter Steinke, author of books

Congregational Leadership in Anxious Times: Being Calm and Courageious

No Matter What, How Your Church Family Works: Understanding

Comgregations as Emotional Systems and Healthy Congregations:

A Systems Approach. Self-differentiation is at the heart of HEALTHY

CONGREGATIONS: the capacity to calmly articulate what one thinks

and values, and to act on that basis, while simultaneously staying active

in relationship with those who disagree. This stand-alone, eight-hour

training is designed for leaders in congregations, both lay and clergy.

For more information contact Naomi García, Ministry Consultant,

West Michigan Conference, by e-mail at naomi@wmcumc.org 

fax (616) 459-1091, or telephone 1-888-217-1905, voice mail 322.

www.westmichiganconference.org

About the Seminar...

Since the publication of Dr. Edwin Friedman’s Generation to Generation,

many professionals in the ministry and other church leaders have become

aware of Bowen family systems theory as a way of understanding

congregational dynamics. Family systems theory identifies differentiation

of self and anxiety as two key variables impacting human functioning.

The seminar on Leadership in the Anxious Congregation looks at the challenge

presented by the rising levels of anxiety being experienced in churches today,

as well as the role that self differentiated leadership can play in calming such anxiety.

To host Leadership in the Anxious Congregation in your area contact

Naomi García, Ministry Consultant.

naomi@wmcumc.org             888 217 1905 ext 322             616 304 7741 ext. 322

This seminar on Leadership in the Anxious Congregation is a ministry of the

West Michigan Conference of The United Methodist Church as part of its

mission to equip local congregations to make disciples of Jesus Christ.

Who Will Benefit...

This seminar is designed for...

• Professionals in the ministry including pastors, decision-makers in the church such as Pastors, Church Council, Vestry, Session members, Elders, Deacons, and Judicatory leaders.