Healthy Congregations, Inc.

What is Bridgebuilder?

Congregations are complex systems representing a variety of interpersonal dynamics, expectations, cultural and religious understandings.  Congregations are always changing.  Change brings opportunities for growth, creativity, and new beginnings.

Change also brings challenges.  Rapid or significant change can result in conflict or congregations becoming stuck in a rut.  Such conflict and stagnation can provide real opportunities for new understanding and deepened commitment.  However when not addressed carefully, conflict and stagnation can lead to dysfunction and deadlock.

Bridgebuilder, developed by Dr. Peter Steinke, is a resource of trained lay and clergy people who assist congregations in reconciliation and healing.  The six-step process includes interviews with congregation leaders and other members, interviews with staff, gathering of information and preparations for a follow-up plan.

Congregations discover solutions best suited to their contexts using the God-given skills found within their own communities.

There will be a facilitator training event held at Luther Seminary in St. Paul, Minnesota, in October 2010.  Enrollment is limited to 15 participants. Leaders for the training are Pastor Roger Schwarze and Pastor Bill Strom.

Description

This workshop will be presented by Louise Rauseo, RN, CS-P.  Families and clinicians will gain equally from this opportunity to observe the way clinical families apply family systems thinking to a variety of family and individual issues. This includes learning to observe the system while addressing the importance of individual responsibility and personal development in the form of differentiation of self. The basic concepts in Bowen theory will be presented along with the clinical sessions.

Healthy Congregations is pleased to announce two 2010 facilitator event opportunities for people living in the Appalachian/southeast U.S. area.

• Event 1: Monday-Wednesday, April 19-21, 2010
• Event 2: Monday-Wednesday, September 20-22, 2010

Each event is independent of the other, meaning that you can be trained as a facilitator by attending either event (you do not need to attend both).