Clergyseminars.net

by Larry Foster

Are we witnessing more challenge and struggle in the church these days? Many denominations indicate that more energy goes into facing disturbing relationships and patterns in congregations while clergy shortages show up almost everywhere. "Analysis and Help" literature gives a clue in titles and material that respond to current conditions such as Clergy Killers, How to Create Healthier Congregations or Church Conflict. In a broad perspective mainline churches appear to be facing a phenomenon that is not "religious" but something larger is showing up in all institutions.

The late Rabbi Edwin Friedman refers to a theory that describes societal regression, a concept which is part of natural systems thinking from the late Dr. Murray Bowen, a pioneer in developing a new lens on human behavior. Societal regression suggests we are living in a time of increased terrorism, fundamentalism, cults, litigiousness, and violence. Such times exhibit more free floating anxiety provoking a climate more challenging to leaders, that is, leaders as parents, pastors, and presidents.

From a community perspective, the congregation and its leaders are located or positioned between families in society and society at large. Much of the anxious emotional processes in society and in families often becomes displaced into the church. Emotional processes play out in institutions and the church becomes an arena for the forces to work their way into human functioning especially in the way people treat each other. More pressure and burnout start to surface among clergy particularly in contexts where some are more vulnerable to the reactivity that materializes in a congregation. On the other hand, many clergy and congregations continue to handle challenge and struggle in problem solving and creative ways. Overall though, there seems to be an increase in the level of reactivity, blame, opposing groups, and desire for quick fixes.

Part of the irony for the church, I believe, stems from at least two factors. First, because the church or synagogue is positioned between families and society, the position of spiritual leader may be unique from a systems point of view. The clergy position has the following emotional coordinates: 1) The pastor is positioned in a setting where more than one generation meets and interacts (multigenerational context), 2) He or she lives and ministers with these generations over time, 3) the ordained leader ministers to people who are getting on with their life and with those who seem to draw more of life's troubles--all in the same congregation, 4) the clergyperson has unique and natural entry into family and institutional rites of passage such as death, birth, marriage, graduation, divorce, retirement, baptism, confirmation, and geographical movements, and 5) The pastor happens to be the spiritual leader. It is difficult to match these coordinates in the emotional field of life and relationships.

Second, research presented by Dr. Nancy Ammerman, sociology professor formerly at Hartford Seminary, is striking. In an effort to discover what institution in our society best prepares responsible citizens in a democracy the results were unanticipated. The congregation comes out as the most effective place for children and adults to grow into mature community citizens. The congregation still values individuals and families. People have a place over time. Members are exposed to the arts, to other generations, to a place where "transcendence" happens. Members can grow into discernment of "what is good," and "what is not so good." There is more continuity and less brokenness than in society as a whole.

As the church faces increasing change and evolution in our knowledge of the universe it will have the opportunity to sharpen its relevance and life promoting perspective. It will address what needs to change and what stays the same. The family model, or as some call it, family systems thinking, is a paradigm shift in facing the complexities and conditions of our time. It offers a new way of thinking about human relationships that takes into account central developments in the contemporary sciences. The focus is on strengths and the importance of how relationships affect our thinking and thus most likely our health. Natural systems thinking connects us to our biblical roots without becoming another technique or fad. It considers forces beyond the individual that impact the individual. Systems thinking, while not the "final word" allows us to face challenges of the human condition in a more integrated and comprehensive way.