Winter, 2021

FI506

Lee

FI506: THE CHURCH AS FAMILY SYSTEM. Cameron Lee.

DESCRIPTION:

The objective of this online course is to help students understand local congregations in terms of their social dynamics as family-like systems. The course is designed for those who anticipate being in congregational leadership (whether as a pastor or lay leader), as well as those who seek to support them professionally. Opening lectures establish a psychologically and biblically realistic perspective on how we understand ˮdysfunctionˮ in families and congregations. The conceptual core of the course is then organized around four interacting aspects of congregational life: communicational behavior, emotion regulation, story/narrative, and organizational structure. These in turn are applied to a multi-systemic and resilience-oriented approach to (a) congregational conflict, (b) anticipating and coping with the stresses and strains of ministry, (c) pastoral care and counseling, and (d) ministering to families in the congregation.

COURSE LEARNING OUTCOMES:

Students who complete this course will be able to identify key elements of real-life systemic challenges in congregations, and articulate possible strategies to address them.

COURSE FORMAT:

This 4 unit course will be taught in an online asynchronous format; synchronous meetings with the instructor will be available, but these will be optional and not factored into the course grade.

REQUIRED READING:

Students must read all four of the following books:

Bloom, M. (2019). Flourishing in ministry: How to cultivate clergy wellbeing. Lanham: Rowman & Littlefield. ISBN-10: 1538118963, $22.00

Creech, R. R. (2019). Family systems and congregational life: A map for ministry. Grand Rapids: Baker. ISBN-10: 1540960374, $27.99

Lee, C., & Fredrickson, K. (2012). That their work will be a joy: Understanding and coping with the challenges of pastoral ministry. Eugene: Cascade. ISBN-10: 1608997626, $31.00

Taylor, B. B. (2006). Leaving church: A memoir of faith. New York: HarperOne. ISBN-10: 9780060872632, $15.99

RECOMMENDED READING

Students must also read two books from the following list; you may also suggest relevant alternatives, subject to instructor approval. The books must be ones you have not previously read:

Augsburger, D. W. (1992). Conflict mediation across cultures. Louisville: Westminster. ISBN-10: 0664256090, $27.00

Barthel, T. K., & Edling, D. V. (2012). Redeeming church conflicts: Turning crisis into compassion and care. Grand Rapids: Baker. ISBN-10: 080101428X, $16.99

Bolsinger, T. (2018). Canoeing the mountains: Christian leadership in uncharted territory. Downers Grove: IVP Books. ISBN: 9780830841479, $24.00

Cha, P., Kang, S. S., & Lee, H. (Eds.) (2006). Growing healthy Asian American churches. Downers Grove: InterVarsity.

Contreras-Byrd, M. (2020). Saving the lives of Black and Latinx pastors. Trenton: Africa World Press. ISBN-13: 978-1569026434, $19.95

Cordeiro, W. (2009). Leading on empty. Bloomington: Bethany House. ISBN-10: 0764207598, $9.98

Dykstra, Robert C. (2018). Finding ourselves lost: Ministry in the age of overwhelm. Eugene: Pickwick. ISBN-10: 1532634811, $23.00

Fisher, R., Ury, W., & Patton, B. (2011). Getting to yes: Negotiating agreement without giving in. 3rd ed. New York: Penguin. ISBN-10: 1844131467, $17.00

Friedman, E. (1985). Generation to generation: Family process in church and synagogue. New York: Guilford. ISBN-10: 1609182367, $35.00

Hare, M. (2019). When church conflict happens. Chicago: Moody. ISBN-10: 0802418376, $15.99

Hellerman, J. H. (2001). The ancient church as family. Minneapolis: Fortress. ISBN-10: 0800632486, $26.00

Hunt, G. L. (2012). Leading congregations through crisis. St. Louis: Chalice. ISBN-10: 0827221703, $23.99

Lartey, E. Y. (2003). In living color: An intercultural approach to pastoral care and counseling. 2^nd ed. London: Jessica Kingsley.

Montilla, R. E., & Medina, F. (2006). Pastoral care and counseling with Latino/as. Minneapolis: Augsburg Fortress.

Peterson, E. H. (2011). The pastor: A memoir. New York: HarperOne. ISBN-10: 0061988219, $16.99

Proeschold-Bell, R. J., & Byassee, J. (2018). Faithful and fractured: Responding to the clergy health crisis. Grand Rapids: Baker. ISBN-10: 0801098833, $21.99

Richardson, R. W. (1996). Creating a healthier church: Family systems theory, leadership, and congregational life. Minneapolis: Augsburg Fortress. ISBN-10: 0800629558, $19.00

Rosenberg, M. B. (2015). Nonviolent communication. Encinitas: PuddleDancer. ISBN-10: 189200528X, $10.99

Scazzero, P. L. (2010). The emotionally healthy church. Expanded ed. Grand Rapids: Zondervan. ISBN-10: 0310520754, $22.99

Scheib, K. D. (2016). Pastoral care: Telling the stories of our lives. Nashville: Abingdon. ISBN-10: 1426766475, $35.99

Scheib, K. D. (2018). Attend to stories: How to flourish in ministry. Nashville: Wesley΄s Foundery Books. ISBN-10: 1945935146, $24.99

Smith-Acuna, S. (2011). Systems theory in action: Applications to individual, couples, and family therapy. New York: Wiley. ISBN-10: 047047582X,

Stone, D., Patton, B., & Heen, S. (2010). Difficult conversations. 2^nd ed. New York: Penguin. ISBN-10: 9780143118442, $18.00

Stroh, D. P. (2015). Systems thinking for social change. White River Junction: Chelsea Green. ISBN-10: 160358580X, $24.95, $46.75

Wimberly, E. P. (2019). Recalling our own stories: Spiritual renewal for religious caregivers. Minneapolis: Fortress. ISBN-10: 1506454771, $16.99

ASSIGNMENTS:

Ten reflection assignments, one per week; weekly participation in online student discussion groups; term paper.

PREREQUISITES: None; open to all students.

RELATIONSHIP TO CURRICULUM: Elective.

FINAL EXAMINATION: None.