Host Dr. Josh Ketchum interviews Jon Paul Gulledge on a recent project he did with leaders from their congregation to develop their conviction, missional focus, and non-anxious presence. They defined their values and discussed harmful responses to challenging situations.  They discuss the leadership theory of Bowen Family System theory and its application to congregational settings.  

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Here is a list of family systems books reference in the episode. 

Family Systems Theory Reading List – Josh Ketchum ([email protected])

For beginning I would start with Steinke for theory understanding and congregational application. The Herrington book on the “The Leader’s Journey” or Creech book “Family Systems and Congregational Life” are both good introduction and applications as well. The two Bolsinger books are great for focusing on the leader and the concept of adaptive change and transformation. The foundational texts that are more difficult are by Friedman.

Steinke, P. L. (2006). Congregational Leadership in Anxious Times: Being Calm and Courageous No Matter What. Lanham, Maryland, Rowman & Littlefield

Steinke, P. L. (2019). Uproar: Calm Leadership in Anxious Times

Bolsinger, Tod (2015). Canoeing the Mountains: Christian Leadership in Uncharted Territory.

Bolsinger, Tod (2020) Tempered Resilience: How Leaders are Formed in the Crucible of Change.

Herrington, Jim; Trisha Taylor, and R. Robert Creech (2003,  2020) The Leader’s Journey: Accepting the Call to Personal and Congregational Transformation.

Creech, R. R. (2019). Family Systems and Congregational Life: A Map for Ministry. Grand Rapids, Michigan, Baker Academic

Cuss, Steve (2019). Managing Leadership Anxiety: Yours and Theirs.

Friedman, Edwin (1999, 2007, 2017) A Failure of Nerve: Leadership in the Age of Quick Fix.

Friedman, Edwin (1985) Generation to Generation: Family Process in Church and Synagogue.

[I have not read these last two]

Gilbert, R. M. (2006). Extraordinary Leadership: Thinking Systems, Making a Difference. Leading Systems Press

Brown, J. & Errington, L. (eds. 2019). Bowen Family Systems Theory in Christian Ministry: Grappling with Theory and its Application Through a Biblical Lens. The Family Systems Practice