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Bowen family systems theory in Christian ministry: Grappling with Theory and its Application Through a Biblical Lens
Bowen Family Systems Theory in Christian Ministry: Grappling with theory and its application through a biblical lens brings together the voices of Christian leaders and workers who have engaged Bowen theory in their ministry contexts--churches, schools, workplaces, and pastoral care situations.
Christian ministry inevitably involves working with, and for, a wide range of people. And where there are people, there is a plethora of relationships. Many of these relationships bring joy, while others are fraught and frustrated. This raises questions about when and how to turn to psychological relationship theories for assistance. When we hold a high view of the Bible's wisdom, we want to take care to ensure that secular ideas do not contradict or replace biblical guidance.
This book provides a strong intellectual consideration of where Bowen theory may be compatible with a biblical view and where it may be in tension. Additionally, it discusses the usefulness of Dr Murray Bowen's theory to the practical aspects of working with different relationships in Christian ministries. We trust it provides rich fodder for grappling with family systems, or indeed any secular theory, as it relates to Christian ministry and biblical truth.
Christian ministry inevitably involves working with, and for, a wide range of people. And where there are people, there is a plethora of relationships. Many of these relationships bring joy, while others are fraught and frustrated. This raises questions about when and how to turn to psychological relationship theories for assistance. When we hold a high view of the Bible's wisdom, we want to take care to ensure that secular ideas do not contradict or replace biblical guidance.
This book provides a strong intellectual consideration of where Bowen theory may be compatible with a biblical view and where it may be in tension. Additionally, it discusses the usefulness of Dr Murray Bowen's theory to the practical aspects of working with different relationships in Christian ministries. We trust it provides rich fodder for grappling with family systems, or indeed any secular theory, as it relates to Christian ministry and biblical truth.
326 pages, Paperback
Published October 8, 2019
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Displaying 1 - 5 of 5 reviews
November 23, 2022
5 stars for content.
3 stars for readability
Since reading Friedman’s A failure of Nerve and Mark Sayers “A non-Anxious Presence” I’ve been eager to find more Christian application of the secular Bowen framework (which, as a college pastor, I've found to be EXTREMELY helpful). This book delivered.
It's a series of academic papers so it's a bit clunky. Not difficult to read or too academic. Just clunky:
"This paper attempts to introduce Bowen family systems theory (here on in referred to as Bowen theory) as a conversation partner in the reading of the text and as a commentator…"
and at the end of every chapter:
"This paper has presented a case for the value of generational family research and use of the family diagram as an information generating tool"
Like watching paint dry…
But if you can skim past the dry academic intros and conclusions, there is gold to be found.
3 stars for readability
Since reading Friedman’s A failure of Nerve and Mark Sayers “A non-Anxious Presence” I’ve been eager to find more Christian application of the secular Bowen framework (which, as a college pastor, I've found to be EXTREMELY helpful). This book delivered.
It's a series of academic papers so it's a bit clunky. Not difficult to read or too academic. Just clunky:
"This paper attempts to introduce Bowen family systems theory (here on in referred to as Bowen theory) as a conversation partner in the reading of the text and as a commentator…"
and at the end of every chapter:
"This paper has presented a case for the value of generational family research and use of the family diagram as an information generating tool"
Like watching paint dry…
But if you can skim past the dry academic intros and conclusions, there is gold to be found.
July 19, 2021
A helpful collection of essays furthering the thought on Bowen Family Systems Theory.
Much of it seemed repetitive, with many people all talking about the interaction between the theory and theology, and only in the last few pages of their articles writing some good stuff of how they see it practically at work. In all it's repetitive nature, I did like lots of people having a go defining the key aspects of Bowen theory all in their own way which helped me understand it better I guess.
There are still 3-4 articles that are helpful to read I think:
- "A new teaching - and with authority" about how to engage with secular wisdom, by looking at Proverbs. (Basically, we can learn from secular, because the world is ordered and can learn from it)
- Applying Bowen Theory to Pastoral Care - about the need to be a coach, rather than a rescuer.
- Quarrelsome or Caught in a Quandary? - about the complexity of ministry households and triangulation.
- Three Psychologists and a Funeral - a very powerful testimony of dealing with a teenager with suicidal thoughts.
- Grappling with Bowen Theory in Ministry - with my favourite quote of the book:
We need "a deep desire for God to be the one working in people's lives, rather than people responsing in reaction to you as leaders ... Creating space for people to come to their own convictions as they search out the scriptures ... tolerating the discomfort as a leader that accompanies that!"
That's a great challenge for me as I move forward.
Much of it seemed repetitive, with many people all talking about the interaction between the theory and theology, and only in the last few pages of their articles writing some good stuff of how they see it practically at work. In all it's repetitive nature, I did like lots of people having a go defining the key aspects of Bowen theory all in their own way which helped me understand it better I guess.
There are still 3-4 articles that are helpful to read I think:
- "A new teaching - and with authority" about how to engage with secular wisdom, by looking at Proverbs. (Basically, we can learn from secular, because the world is ordered and can learn from it)
- Applying Bowen Theory to Pastoral Care - about the need to be a coach, rather than a rescuer.
- Quarrelsome or Caught in a Quandary? - about the complexity of ministry households and triangulation.
- Three Psychologists and a Funeral - a very powerful testimony of dealing with a teenager with suicidal thoughts.
- Grappling with Bowen Theory in Ministry - with my favourite quote of the book:
We need "a deep desire for God to be the one working in people's lives, rather than people responsing in reaction to you as leaders ... Creating space for people to come to their own convictions as they search out the scriptures ... tolerating the discomfort as a leader that accompanies that!"
That's a great challenge for me as I move forward.
March 26, 2024
Me gustó mucho este libro. En especial, agradezco que los autores trabajaran los puntos de tensión que podrían surgir entre la teoría de Bowen y el cristianismo. Me quedo con la definición que hacen los autores sobre el principio base de la teoría de Bowen, la diferenciación. Para ellos, alcanzar la diferenciación, la madurez consiste en "la capacidad de ser Yo en Cristo mientras permanezco en conexión con los demás". También me quedó muy grabada la expresión de que en la familia o en los sistemas no hay personas que sean 100% "ángeles o demonios".
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April 2, 2025It’s not always easy to integrate psychological theories into Christian ministry. Bowen Family Systems Theory in Christian Ministry: Grappling with Theory and its Application Through a Biblical Lens is an attempt to address apparent concerns between Bowen’s theory and biblical principles.
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November 22, 2022
Refreshing compilation of Australian wrestles, critiques and successes applying Bowen Family Systems Theory to ministry.
Displaying 1 - 5 of 5 reviews