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.

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.

Dates for 2008-2009 are: October 20-22, 2008; February 2-4, 2009; and April 20-22, 2009.