Since the publication of Generation to Generation: Family Process in Church and Synagogue, by Dr. Edwin Friedman, pastors and other clergy have recognized the importance of understanding Bowen family systems theory as it relates to congregational systems.

With today's rising levels of anxiety in society and its resulting impact on families, there is little doubt that such anxiety impacts the church. The elevation of pressures within congregations and the increasing demands placed on clergy make it imperative that leaders step back from the fray to assess their own capacity for managing themselves in a calm, more differentiated way.

These clinics are designed to enhance the ability of participants to function as self-differentiated leaders within their own ministry setting. They provide a safe forum for processing challenging situations, while also facilitating reflection on a way of thinking about the human condition which has implications for all aspects of life.

Clergy Clinic in Family Emotional Process

The leadership training program is for pastors who want to further develop their ability to manage themselves in emotionally intense situations including church conflicts. The Clergy Clinic meets for three days, three times a year in Lombard, IL (Chicago area).

In 2008-09, there will be two groups.  Group A meets October 27-29, 2008, February 16-18, 2009 and April 27-29, 2009. Group B meets November 10-12, 2008, March 2-4, 2009 and May 11-13, 2009. Both options of the Clergy Clinic have two primary components:

• Input and discussion on family systems theory
• Presentation of case studies by participants.
  The program will enhance the ability of participants to function as self-differentiated leaders in their ministry setting.

The 2009-2010 dates for Clergy Clinic are: Group A meets October 26-28, 2008, February 22-24, 2010 and April 26-28, 2010. Group B meets November 9-11, 2009, March 8-10, 2010 and May 17-19, 2010

Advanced Clergy Clinic in Family Emotional Process

The Advanced Clergy Clinic is open to past participants in the Advanced Clergy Clinic, those who have previously attended the basic Clergy Clinic, or those who can document their background in Bowen family systems theory via an application process. The Advanced Clergy Clinic meets three times per year for three successive days each time, in the Chicago area, providing nine full days of reflection on the concepts of family emotional process.

• The first day each time is largely didactice, including input from a guest presenter who is a significant leader in the field of Bowen theory and related areas.
• The afternoon of the second day is clinical in format. Participants will divide into small groups to explore their own family origin issues, under the guidance of an experienced family systems practitioner.
• The mornings of the second and third days are also didactic, with input from the clinic faculty and video input from Dr. Murray Bowen, Dr. Edwin Friedman, and others.
• The final afternoon each time is given to presentations of congregational case studies by participants, followed by feedback, discussion, and consultation.

Dates for 2009-2010 are:

• April 20-22, 2009; Hinsdale, IL Advanced Clergy Clinic (Part 3 of 3)
• April 27-29, 2009 Lombard, IL Clergy Clinic (Group A: Part 3 of 3)
• May 11-13, 2009 Lombard, IL Clergy Clinic (Group B: Part 3 of 3)
• October 19-21, 2009 Hinsdale, IL Advanced Clergy Clinic (Part 1 of 3)
• October 26-28, 2009 Lombard, IL Clergy Clinic (Group A: Part 1 of 3)
• November 9-11, 2009 Lombard, IL Clergy Clinic (Group B: Part 1 of 3)
• February 8-10, 2010 Hinsdale, IL Advanced Clergy Clinic (Part 2 of 3)
• February 22-24, 2010 Lombard, IL Clergy Clinic (Group A: Part 2 of 3)
• March 8-10, 2010 Lombard, IL Clergy Clinic (Group B: Part 2 of 3)
• April 12-14, 2010 Hinsdale, IL Advanced Clergy Clinic (Part 3 of 3)
• April 26-28, 2010 Lombard, IL Clergy Clinic (Group A: Part 3 of 3)
• May 17-19, 2010 Lombard, IL Clergy Clinic (Group B: Part 3 of 3)

Lombard Mennonite Peace Center