PC069-812 - Church Systems and Congregational Health

  • 2,976 Standard Tuition Fee
  • 12
    Credit Points
  • 0.125 EFT 
  • 8
    AQF level
  • Category advanced unit
    C
  • pastoral churchUnit Discipline

Exclusions

Prior to 2020, this unit content was delivered under the unit code PC769-4.

Learning outcomes

On successful completion of this unit, students will

A. Know and understand

1. Demonstrate Advanced knowledge and understanding of, and the research underlying, church systems and congregational health.

B. Be able to

1. Examine the theoretical and methodological issues in family systems theory as it  applies to churches

2. Demonstrate skill in utilising diverse scholarship and learning in interpreting  system dynamics and conflict in church settings

3. Present Research-Aware evidence-based perspectives on church systems and congregational health.

C. Be in a position to

1. Applying Advanced perspectives and skills from ‘Church Systems and Congregational Health’ to ministry practice and Christian living as a reflective practitioner

Content

  1. The nature of organizations (including churches) as typical and unique cultures; organizational classifications and rational positivist approaches to change.
  2. Family Systems approaches to anxiety in churches and organizations.
  3. Conflict levels and anxiety levels and choosing management of conflict styles.
  4. God Images and leader reactivity to anxiety.
  5. Psychodynamics: healthy and dangerous groups; basic assumptions in church life.
  6. Building differentiated leaders, people and handling anxiety.
  7. Techniques for developing working groups in times of conflict.
  8. Integration is directly featured in the practical theological nature of the unit enabling the participant to develop organizational life and their responses to it in ways that serve their deepest theological beliefs and related values.

Set Readings

This unit's indicative bibliography is currently being revised. Students should contact their home college for further details at the time of taking this unit.


Prescribed text:

Peter Steinke, Congregational Leadership in Anxious Times: Being Calm and Courageous No Matter What. New York: Alban Institute, 2006

 

Recommended:

Christian Application Titles

Galindo, I., The Hidden Lives of Congregations: Discerning Church Dynamics, Herndon, Va: Alban Institute, 2014.

Boers, A. P., Never call them Jerks: Healthy Responses to Difficult Behavior, Herdon: Alban Institute/Rowman and Littlefield, 1999.

Newton Malony, H Living With Paradox: Religious Leadership and Double Vision, San Francisco: Jossey Bass, 1998.

Richardson, R., Polarization and the Healthier Church: Applying Bowen Family Systems Theory to Conflict and Change in Society and Congregational Life, North Charleston: Createspace, 2012.

Robinson, A.B., Transforming Congregational Culture, Grand Rapids: Eerdmans, 2003.

Steinke, P L., A Door Set Open: Grounding Change in Mission and Hope, Herndon, Va.: The Alban Institute, 2010.

 

Secular Titles:

Argyris, C., Organizational Traps: Leadership, Culture and Organizational Design, Oxford: OUP, 2010.

The Arbinger Institute, Leadership and Self-Deception: Getting Out of the Box, 2nd Edition. San Francisco: Berrett Koehler, 2010.

Burgo, J,, The Narcissist You Know: Defending Yourself against Extreme Narcissists in an All-About-Me Age, Sydney: Pan-Macmillan, 2015.

Cameron, K and Quinn, R., Diagnosing and Changing Organizational Culture, San Francisco: Jossey Bass, 2011.

Kets De Vries, M., Leaders Fools and Imposters: Lessons on the Psychology of Leadership, Bloomington: iUniverse, 2003

Kets De Vries, M., The Hedgehog Effect: The Secret of Building High Performance Teams, San Francisco, Jossey Bass, 2011

Lau Branson, M., Memories, Hopes, and Conversations: Appreciative Inquiry, Missional Engagement, and Congregational Change, Bethesda: Alban Institute, 2016.

Stanford, N., Organizational Health: An Integrated Approach to Building Optimal Performance, London: Kogan-Page, 2013.

 

Classics:

Bion, W., Experiences in Groups, London: Tavistock, 1961.

Friedman, E.. H., Generation To Generation: Family Process In Church And Synagogue, New York, NY: Guilford, 1985.

Kerr, M. and Bowen, M., Family Evaluation: The Role Of The Family As An Emotional Unit That Governs Individual Behaviour And Development, New York, NY: Norton, 1988.

Hopewell, J. F., 1987. Congregation: Stories And Structures, Philadelphia, PA: Fortress Press. Beverly Hills, CA: Sage.

Gabriel, Y. (ed.), Organizations In Depth: The Psychoanalysis Of Organizations, London: Sage, 1999.

Hirschhorn, L, The Workplace Within: Psychodynamics of organizational life, Cambridge: MIT, 1988.

Kets De Vries, M., Leaders Fools and Imposters: Lessons on the Psychology of Leadership, Lincoln, NE: iUniverse, 2003.

Kets De Vries, M., Lessons on leadership by terror: Finding Shaka Zulu in the attic, Cheltenham: Edward Elgar.

Kets de Vries, M. and Miller, D., The Neurotic Organization: Diagnosing And Changing Counterproductive Styles Of Management, San Francisco, CA: Jossey Bass, 1984.

Meissner, W. W., Psychoanalysis And Religious Experience, New Haven, CT: Yale University Press, 1984.

Schein, E. H., Organizational Culture And Leadership, San Francisco, CA: Jossey Bass, 2010.

Schneider, W. E., The Reengineering Alternative: A Plan For Making Your Current Culture Work, New York, NY: Irwin, 1994.

Stapley, L. F, The Personality Of The Organization: A Psycho-Dynamic Explanation Of Culture And Change. London: Free Association, 1996.

Steinke, P L How Your Church Family Works: Understanding Congregations as Emotional Systems, New York: Alban Institute, 1993.

Stephens, R. P and Collins, P., The Equipping Pastor: A Systems Approach To Congregational Leadership, Lanham, ML: Rowman and Littlefield, 1993.

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