As a newly-ordained elder at Second Presbyterian Church in Indianapolis, I am truly excited to begin my journey serving Christ during a very important time for both our congregation and presbytery. Second Church is blessed with the gifts of a large, well-established and affluent congregation. Yet we too face challenges not unfamiliar to many congregations: building membership and financial stability; cultivating a sustained, meaningful focus on outreach and mission; and creating an inclusive culture, all while keeping a watchful eye on critical long-term strategic initiatives. Over the last four months, in preparation for our terms as church officers, our incoming class of 10 elders and 15 deacons was given the gift of extensive training focused primarily on our Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) Book of Confessions and Book of Order, in addition to – of course – the Bible. At the outset of our training, this curriculum sounded more like some sort of Reformed Presbyterian punishment, but … [Read more...]

  One of family systems theory’s most helpful concepts and practices is “reframing.” I love this concept because it is so elegantly simple in theory and provides ecclesial leaders with helpful, practical resources for their pastoral tool kits.  I define reframing as: A practice that opens up previously undiscovered choices by viewing current problems from different perspectives in order to foster alternative, healthier solutions.  A creative response to anxiety Family systems theory notes that human beings are chronically anxious, and when they are presented with change, conflict or threat, their anxiety increases. Increased anxiety produces heightened emotional reactivity. Anxiety activates the primitive brain, which decreases calm and rational thinking and severely limits a person’s repertoire of choices. When stressed or threatened, people often become myopic to the point where they perceive only two choices: fight or flight. Offering someone who is stressed a creative … [Read more...]