John Townsend, Leadership Beyond Reason: How Great Leaders Succeed by Harnessing the Power of Their Values, Feelings, and Intuition. Thomas Nelson, 2009. Referenced in: Intuitive Leadership LifeandLeadership.com Summary Townsend’s premise is that great leaders succeed by harnessing the power of both the external world and the internal world. It does not argue for EITHER the
Israel Galindo, Perspectives on Congregational Leadership: Applying Systems Thinking for Effective Leadership. Educational Consultants, 2009. Referenced in: Church Dynamics Leadership and Emotional Systems LifeandLeadership.com Summary Israel Galindo is one of the most insightful observers of congregational life in general, and on the application of Bowenian Family Systems Theory (BFST) in particular. This self-published volume builds
John W. Wimberley, Jr., The Business of the Church: The Uncomfortable Truth that Faithful Ministry Requires Effective Management. Alban Institute, 2010. Referenced in: Church Administration: General Manuals Leadership and Emotional Systems LifeandLeadership.com Summary Wimberley covers the same topics as most general manuals on church administration, but uniquely interprets administrative tasks through Edwin Friedman’s emotional systems
Resources on Churches as Emotional Systems by Roberta Gilbert Referenced in: Leadership and Emotional Systems, Self-Differentiation LifeandLeadership.com Summary Robert Gilbert, M.D., Director of the Center for the Study of Human Systems, and faculty member of the Bowen Center for the Study of the Family at Georgetown, is a recognized authority on Bowen family systems theory
Resources on Emotional Systems by Review and Expositor Referenced in: Leadership and Emotional Systems, Self-Differentiation LifeandLeadership.com Summary The Summer 2005 issue of Review and Expositor (vol. 12, no. 3) was devoted to Bowen system theory and congregational life and leadership. The issue was co-edited by Israel Galindo and Timothy W. Brock. It is an excellent
Israel Galindo, The Hidden Lives of Congregations: Discerning Church Dynamics. Alban Institute, 2004. Referenced in: Church Dynamics, Research Leadership and Emotional Systems, Self-Differentiation LifeandLeadership.com Summary One might call this book “Congregations 101,” or “The Primer on What Makes Churches Tick,” or “Congregational Dynamics Through the Lens of Emotional Systems.” Regardless of one’s approach to congregational
Jim Herrington, R. Robert Creech and Trisha Taylor, The Leader’s Journey: Accepting the Call to Personal and Congregational Transformation. Jossey-Bass, 2003. Referenced in: Leadership Development through Spiritual Formation Leadership and Emotional Systems, Self-Differentiation LifeandLeadership.com Summary This volume is perhaps one of the most readable and usable discussions available of the importance of spiritual and emotional
Margaret J. Marcuson, Leaders Who Last: Sustaining Yourself and Your Ministry. Seabury Books, 2009. Referenced in: Leadership and Emotional Systems, Self-Differentiation Ministry Burnout, Preventing and Overcoming Giving and Financial Stewardship LifeandLeadership.com Summary Margaret Marcuson is a newer author in applying emotional systems to the practice of church leadership. She was a student of Ed Friedman,
Ronald Richardson, Becoming Your Best: A Self-Help Guide for Thinking People (Living Well). Augsburg Fortress Publishers, 2008. Referenced in: Leadership and Emotional Systems, Self-Differentiation LifeandLeadership.com Summary Ronald Richardson is one of the best authors on applying family systems theory to church leadership. His books, Becoming a Healthier Church and Becoming A Healthier Pastor, are excellent.
Ronald Richardson, Becoming a Healthier Pastor: Family Systems Theory and the Pastor’s Own Family. Augsburg Fortress Press, 2004. Prequel: Richardson, Creating a Healthier Church Referenced in: Leadership and Emotional Systems, Self-Differentiation LifeandLeadership.com Summary Many Christian leaders, upon learning about emotional processes in congregations, want to grow in that area, but feel ill-equipped in the growth
