Dysfunction in churches stems from humanity's fallen nature and our propensity to break relationships with God, ourselves, and others. The gospel provides the only pathway to healing these fractured relationships and restoring healthy church systems.

• Most congregations function like extended families, making family systems theory applicable to church settings
• Family systems theory observes human behavior but doesn't provide solutions—only the gospel can truly heal
• The Trinity models perfect differentiated relationships—distinct persons in complete harmony
• Dysfunction originates in the fall and manifests in fear, guilt, and shame
• Satan uses a "pincer move"—suggesting God isn't trustworthy, then condemning us when we act independently
• Jesus demonstrates perfect differentiation by maintaining his identity while connecting with others
• Over-functioning (controlling) and under-functioning (abdicating responsibility) create unhealthy church dynamics
• The gospel restores our relationship with God, which then flows outward to heal relationships with ourselves and others

We invite you to join us for this season as we unpack family systems theory and its application to church renewal. Share this episode with friends and subscribe for more insights on building healthy church relationships.

Episode 1 Resources

Books & Authors

• Murray Bowen – Family Systems Theory (originating model of relational systems).
• Edwin H. Friedman – Generation to Generation: Family Process in Church and Synagogue (applies Bowen’s observations to congregations)
  (Wikipedia, Guilford Press)
• Edwin H. Friedman – A Failure of Nerve: Leadership in the Age of the Quick Fix
  (Amazon)
• Michael Reeves – Delighting in the Trinity (helps articulate relational Trinitarian foundations for differentiation)
  (Ligonier Ministries)
• Jack Shitama – If You Met My Family, You’d Understand (family systems insights and personal story)
  (Amazon)

Articles / Papers

• Robert Creech – Jesus and Differentiation of Self  (Amazon).

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