Big Ideas in Youth Ministry: Bowen Family Systems Theory of Practice for Ministry

October 17 – 19, 2023

Course Description: Youth ministers can be more effective leaders when they understand their role and function in navigating complicated relationships that come with ministry. Bowen Family System Theory (BFST) provides a way of thinking that can help youth ministers get clearer about who they are as ministers and how to function out of guiding principles more than reactivity. 

This seminar will give experienced youth ministry leaders a deep dive into Bowen Family Systems Theory (BFST) as a theory of practice for ministry. Plenary sessions will present key components of BFST to help participants develop a framework for interpreting practice and context. 

The majority of time will be spent in peer groups led by experienced BFST ministry coaches. Participants will prepare genograms to better understand how their families of origin impact their interactions with others and bring case studies from their own ministry contexts to discuss in their small groups. As such, participants work to apply the theory to the “real world” realities of their ministry context.

The goals of this limited-enrollment seminar are to:

• Provide a peer-learning forum for youth leaders to explore the issues particular to their congregational contexts;
• Help participants develop a theoretical framework for interpreting practice and context using BFST;
• Encourage participants to accurately identify and name the particular challenges of ministry in their context; and
• Provide a safe and stimulating peer group experience for renewal and challenge. 

The seminar is the third continuing education partner event between the Center for Lifelong Learning and Big Ideas in Youth Ministry, a network supporting youth ministry leaders. The seminar is based upon the Leadership in Ministry workshop model, which applies BFST as further developed by Edwin Friedman, author of Generation to Generation and A Failure of Nerve, to ministerial and organizational leadership. The seminar is supported by the Ministering to Ministers program special programs fund, in support of healthy church leadership.

Location: The Center for Lifelong Learning, Columbia Theological Seminary, Decatur, GA

With: Vanessa Ellison and Lance King, plenary leaders and small group coaches; Zachary Bay, Skip Johnson and James Lamkin, small group coaches; Michelle Thomas-Bush, Big Ideas in Youth Ministry convener and facilitator

Schedule:

Full schedule available here.

Monday October 16: Arrival at CTS accommodations, dinner on your own.

Tuesday October 17: Welcome, orientation, and plenary sessions. Breakfast and lunch will be provided; dinner on your own.

Wednesday October 18: Plenary sessions, case study, and panel discussion. Breakfast and lunch will be provided; dinner on your own.

Thursday October 19: Case study, closing discussion. Breakfast will be provided.

Program Fee: $325

Housing: On campus housing available; Queen suites $320.76 for three nights (Monday – Wednesday; regular room with twin beds, single occupancy $281.88 for three nights; regular room, shared occupancy $181.44 for three nights. Additional nights may be arranged if space is available.

Meals: Three breakfasts, two lunches and refreshments included with registration fee; dinners on  your own in Decatur or surrounding metropolitan Atlanta area.

Additional Information: Informal gatherings after dinner coordinated by Big Ideas convener Michelle Thomas-Bush

Contact: lifelonglearning@ctsnet.edu