Creating a Healthier Church

A review of Ronald W. Richardson's book, Creating a Healthier Church: Family Systems Theory, Leadership and Congregational Life. Richardson does a fabulous job of applying Bowen's theory (family systems theory) to church congregations. He illustrates the differences between two congregations dealing with similar problems. In 1986, Richardson offered courses for clergy based on the Family Systems Theory (FST) after clergy reported how his application of FST was revolutionizing how they dealt and thought about problems within their own congregations. Yet, the most notable change that they reported was "their own role in relation to these problems" (22). Richardson clearly states that his book is not about the one and only correct way for leaders to lead. Instead, he suggests that his book can be a tool to assist clergy in thinking about their function within their churches and how they relate to others. Leadership is any kind of decision-making position or role and therefore, FST is not just for the top clergy or leaders (20). The questions Richardson addresses are: 1) What is happening when a church gets into difficulties and the leadership seems to be making things worse rather than helping resolve the problem? 2) How can we explains things going well at one church where leaders are able to avoid the emotional outbursts and turmoil that is common in another church? 3) What in our human nature including our strengths and liabilities, and in the way we organize ourselves in groups make things go well or poorly as we deal with difficult situations? Richardson addresses these questions and offers the reader the following resources. First, he provides a theory about human behavior that will enable the reader to understand how situations can get out of control in the faith community, resulting in emotional outbursts and turmoil. Second, he offers a practical set of leadership ideas, guidelines and behaviors as a plan to prevent situations from becoming negative and instead turn out positive. Thirdly, he provides guidelines for how to behave in the midst of upsetting and conflictual circumstances. And, lastly, he gives personal steps so that the leader can become more positive and cooperative in assisting healing and developing a healthier faith community (20). Richardson has framed the book specifically either for personal study or for group discussions. He has incorporated thought provoking questions at the end of each chapter, in order to guide the readers into an in-depth examination of themselves and their congregations.Richardson identifies two unspoken theories of human behavior: the individual model and the systems model. In the individual model people have little sense of their interconnectedness, or of how their own behavior affects that of others. In the systems model, there is "a recognition of the connection between people. Where no one lives or acts in isolation, and we are all affected by each other's behaviors" (25). One key t

In Creating a Healthier Church, Ronald Richardson used the late Dr. Murray Bowen's family systems theory to present a formula for encouraging pastors and congregations to grow in spiritual health. Its application has to be intentional, but the formula is simple to express: Understanding + Re-Patterning = Spiritual Health. The first key element, Understanding, is a process of education and self-analysis. The question that must be answered is: `Who am I as a member of the emotional family structure in the church?' The second key element, Re-Patterning, is to respond in a positive way to the question: `What must I do to re-pattern my interaction and relationships with others in order to promote harmony and well being in the church?' Then, as a result of such Understanding and applied Re-Patterning, the Spiritual Health of the church will flourish.Richardson used as an inciting incident, a description of two churches who react very differently to the same bleak December flood and cold, which threatens the well being of the imminent Sunday morning worship service. In case #1, the people involved apparently worked well together to cope with the emergency. In case #2, the people reacted poorly. Richardson used the rest of his text to examine the: who, what, where, why, and how, which were illustrated by the very different reactions to the same crisis.To be a "non-anxious presence" is one factor essential to the `Understanding' of what it means to be an effective church leader. Re-Patterning, then, becomes possible. Richardson wrote: "The goal of this work is for each leader to improve his or her own level of emotional functioning in relation to each other member of the congregation and particularly in relation to other leaders" (1996:177). The formula, now, can be re-written:Non-Anxious Presence + Sensitized Emotional Relationships = Spiritual Health. Creating a Healthier Church is practical, thought provoking, personal, objective, and clear. I found aspects of myself objectively held up in the light of truth, and was challenged accordingly. I found aspects of my church revealed in both the positive and the negative scenarios. I know there is still work to be done in the vineyard, if the harvest is to be bountiful. This book is insightful and timely. I highly recommend it.

Richardson clearly explains the basics of Murray Bowen's family systems therapy and applies the fundamentals to congregational life. Utilizing case studies of two congregations, one healthy and one dysfunctional, Richardson illustrates how family systems theory operates in congregations and suggests strategies on how leaders can best lead. Richardson helpfully covers many of the major bases. He explores how anxiety disrupts systems and how the leader best functions as a differentiated, non-anxious presence among the people. He helpfully explores the issues of closeness versus distance, pursuers versus distancers. He examines four primary reactivity responses; compliance, rebellion, power struggle and emotional distance. He clearly demonstrates the essential principles of triangulation and over and under functioning. He additionally explores how birth order contributes to family and congregational systems. While, no one person manifests all of the particular characteristics that are allegedly part of a specific birth-order position, some of the characteristics that Richardson elucidates almost certainly result from birth order considerations. Richardson details how congregations can do self-evaluation to explore and improve their systems. Each chapter concludes with helpful discussion questions that greatly aid the reader in applying the material. On balance, Richardson has succeeded in writing a relatively simple, readily applicable understanding of family systems in congregational life. I highly recommend this book.

Richardson's book is one of the better introductions on the application of Bowen Family Systems Theory to congregational life. Well-written, it is thorough and substantive. A good first choice for those needing a solid introduction to systems theory--though it's probably NOT a good substitute for a good conference, workshop, or on-going group work on systems.

Richardson has applied family systems ideas to churches in an accessible way. This book is great for those who do not have time or money for a conference. It is an especially helpful book for introducing these concepts to laity -- perhaps in places in which clergy are involved in ongoing systems work. All can speak the same "language" and have at least an introduction to the approaches of this insightful understanding of life and leadership in congregations.