System Theory and Congregational Life
with Rev. Dr. Michael Nel
November 12-15, 2015
Hope Lutheran Church
3527 Boulton Road NW
Calgary, AB
Course Description
This course will focus on leadership as self management instead of focusing on
managing others. As we learn to manage ourselves in situations of stress, we as pastors,
lay leaders, pastoral caregivers and parents are more able to offer stable, non-anxious,
transparent and uncluttered leadership, and make significant contributions to our family
and congregational health.
Through his study of families Dr. Murray Bowen identified eight concepts that shape the
family relational process. He also identified that relational processes provide greater
insight than a focus on content for the understanding of human functioning. The late
Rabbi Friedman saw the potential of Bowen theory to assist religious leaders, lay leaders
and pastoral caregivers in understanding the relational dynamics in their families and
congregations.
This course will provide an understanding of the eight concepts of Bowen theory and
their application to faith communities and their leadership. The focus of the course will
be on the relational processes of the participant’s own family and how these processes
influence his or her functioning. Articles will be provided on how to do family research,
drawing a family diagram and presenting the family. A bibliography will be provided.
Instructor - Rev. Dr. Michael J. Nel
Born in Cape Town South Africa.
B.A. from the University of Cape Town.
M.Div. and S.T.M. degrees from Lutheran Theological Seminary, Saskatoon
D.Th. from the University of South Africa
Fellow Member of American Association of Pastoral Counselors
Registered Clinical Counsellor, BC Association of Clinical Counsellors
Parishes Served:
Hodgeville Lutheran Parish, Hodgeville, Sk
Redeemer Lutheran, Kitimat, BC
First Lutheran Church, Vancouver, BC
Director of Consultation to Clergy serving 5 Synods of ELCA in Region 1 and the NW
District of LCMS
Interim President, Lutheran Theological Seminary, Saskatoon
What People are Saying:
In sixteen years of ministry as bishop of the Eastern WA and Idaho Synod (ELCA) no
single aspect of ministry has had more positive effect on clergy and congregational
health as has the work of Dr. Michael Nel teaching Bowen (Systems) theory. The core
teaching is rooted in “self-definition,” the conscious attempt to account for and de-fang
“family of origin” issues that predictably arise under new names and with new people as
pastoral ministry unfolds in a new location. Managing oneself in situations of stress is
key to clergy satisfaction and offers transparent and uncluttered leadership for
congregations facing anxious days. I cannot imagine asking pastors to lead with
authority in projection-prone communities without this training.
- Bp. Martin Wells
I encountered Rev. Michael Nel during my internship year of pastoral training. His
teaching of Systems Theory was both personally empowering and professionally
illuminating. In a dozen years of ministry I have often relied on the concepts I learned
from him to provide insight into myself and my relationships with congregation and
family.
- Rev. Kristian Wold
Registration
Through the Lutheran Theological Seminary (LTS), Saskatoon. Please call
306.966.7850 or email lutheran.seminary@usask.ca
Please register by November 5. A minimum of 8 and maximum of 20 are required to run
the workshop.
Cost
$125 – payable to the Lutheran Theological Seminary, Saskatoon
Course Schedule
Thursday
7:00 pm – 8:30 pm
Friday
9:00 am – 12:30 pm
1:30 pm – 3:00 pm
Saturday
9:00 am – 12:30 pm
1:30 pm – 3:00 pm
Sunday
1:30 pm – 3:00 pm
Refreshments and a light lunch are provided.
This workshop is co-sponsored by:
The Leadership Development Working Group, ABT Synod
ABT Synod, Southwest Conference