“A healthy [church] is one that actively and responsibly addresses  or heals its disturbances, not one with an absence of trouble.”
- Peter Steinke

It’s a reality of life that the Body of Christ, the church, wrestles continually with difficult issues and challenging times.  Whether it’s economic hardship, mission and outreach, interpretation of scripture, denominational decisions, or any of many other challenges, “being church” has always been fraught with disagreements, anxiety, and differing points of view.  Our Lutheran heritage is one of ongoing  reformation.  We are a church known for asking hard questions and struggling with real issues of life and faith. The following resources are a sampling of print and media materials meant to help provide some leadership tools for dealing with anxious times.

Julie K. Aageson
Director, The Resource Center
Coordinator, ELCA Resource Centers

• Peter Steinke’s work for church leaders is invaluable.  His book and accompanying video reflections, Congregational Leadership in Anxious Times: Being Calm and Courageous No Matter What will be especially helpful.  Steinke’s video, The Balancing Act, also provides good background. (B3302, DVDs146, 147)
• Additional articles, books, and media resources related to anxiety and family systems are described in the resource sheet: Family Systems and Healthy Congregations
• The video Reinventing Leadership with Rabbi Edwin Friedman describes how congregations become dysfunctional when gripped by anxiety.  (VT1689)
• Transitions and change are themes in Craig Satterlee’s When God Speaks Through Change, a “must read” for preachers and others who want to help congregations experience God’s presence, grace, power, and direction in challenging times. (B3078)
• Two Nooma films may help address some of the anxiety of difficult issues. These ten minute DVDs include You and Whirlwind. You deals with heated debates and disagreements. Whirlwind addresses how much we want certainty and answers in a world that often is uncertain.  (DVD 174 & 278)
• For worship, Stilling the Storm: Worship and Congregational Leadership in Difficult Times by Kathleen Smith shows how difficult times affect the worship life of a congregation and how worship can be a key part of healing.  (B3310)
• A short read, Difficult Conversations by Katie Day provides concrete direction for initiating, cultivating, and sustaining discussion of troubling issues.  (B3564)
• “Called to Deal With Difficult Issues” is a four-session method for congregational theological reflection and decision making.  It could be adapted to fit a number of topics.  (PR871)
• Differences is the title of a 4-minute DVD to help people explore and discuss their own differences through the ‘voices’ of dogs. It begins by exploring differences and ends by discovering how much we have in common.  It also helps point to common ground on which to build unity.  Supplementary materials at www.differencesfilm.com (external link) (DVD269)
• Promise and Peril: Understanding and Managing Change and Conflict in Congregations by David Brubaker helps leaders manage conflict in the face of change.  (B3608)

The preceding resources are highlighted and recommended for your consideration. If you have questions or would like to reserve a resource, contact Julie Aageson at 701-232-3381 or julie.aageson@ecunet.org

Visit the EaND Resource Center | Search the Catalog

Eastern North Dakota Synod - ELCA: Leading in Anxious Times

The experience of forgiveness is the wedding garment for the banquet of Jesus. Note that it is a wedding garment-the robe of joy and communion, not sack-cloth and ashes-the sign of the sinner.
- John Shea in “The Challenge of Jesus”

Whether we’re speaking about ongoing global conflict, our own human struggles, petty insults or serious acts of evil, all of us know that a central tenet of Christianity is the act of forgiveness. God’s overwhelming grace and love is about restoration and wholeness, helping us and all creation to experience the healing power of forgiveness and reconciliation.

Over the last decade and more, the study of forgiveness has captured the attention of researchers, theologians, and others interested in transformation and the power of forgiveness to heal. The following selection of resources captures in different and unique ways the spirit of forgiveness. You will find here the voices of ordinary people of faith, Nobel laureates, authors, and theologians whose experiences of forgiveness are examples for all of us. I hope you will find these resources good fodder for conversation and study!

Forgiveness always goes beyond what is just and due. It is not a matter of justice but an affair of grace.
- Richard Norris in “Understanding the Faith of the Church”

Books:

• Amish Grace: How Forgiveness Transcended Tragedy by Kraybill/Nolt/Weaver-Zerc (B3450)
• Don’t Forgive Too Soon: Extending the Two Hands that Heal by Dennis Linn, Sheila Fabricant Linn, Matthew Linn (B3373)
• No Future Without Forgiveness by Desmond Tutu (B2648)
• The Power of Forgiveness by Kenneth Briggs (B3528) This is a companion resource based on the film of the same name (see DVD217 below). It examines the mysteries of forgiveness, focusing on personal struggle with betrayal, loss, grief, and confusion.
• Why Forgive? by Johann Christoph Arnold (B3102)
• A Forgiving Heart: Prayers for Blessing and Reconciliation by Lynn Klug (B2792)
• Speaking of Sin: The Lost Language of Salvation by Barbara Brown Taylor (B2743)
• Fire of Grace: The Healing Power of Forgiveness by Richard Rouse (B3123)

The point of the cross isn’t forgiveness. Forgiveness leads to something much bigger: restoration. God isn’t just interested in the covering of our sins; God wants to make us into the people we were originally created to be … This restoration is why Jesus always orients his message around becoming the kind of people who are generous and loving and compassionate. The goal here isn’t simply NOT to sin. Our purpose is to increase the shalom in this world … to become more and more the kind of people God had in mind when were first created.
- Rob Bell in “Velvet Elvis: Repainting the Christian Faith”

Websites

• Search our online catalog for additional titles under the subjects of forgiveness, reconciliation, and faith practices.
• Local dates and times for broadcast of the one hour documentary can be found at The Power of Forgiveness (external link).
• Augsburg Fortress has a downloadable study guide,The Power of Forgiveness (external link), to the PBS documentary of the same title, that can be used by individuals and groups reading The Power of Forgiveness by Kenneth Briggs.
• Check out “the internet’s most comprehensive forgiveness resource” at www.forgivenessweb.com (external link). It includes a reading room, videos, related websites, and more.
• Watch for the fall premier of The Little Lutheran Online (external link). It will feature resources for children on the topic of forgiveness.
• If you’d like to organize or lead a conversation on the topic of forgiveness, www.loveandforgive.org (external link) provides downloadable materials. Facilitator guides include background materials, essays, discussion questions, and activities. Participant resources include essays, suggested home practices and other ideas for continuing conversation, reflection, and action.

The spirit of forgiveness could change our world for the better.
-Thomas Moore in Care of the Soul

Video / DVD

• Voted the “Best Documentary” at the 2007 Sun Valley Spiritual Film Festival (external link), The Power of Forgiveness features Nobel Laureate, Elie Wiesel, Buddhist master Thich Nhat Hanh, and others who share wisdom about the act of forgiveness, particularly in the face of great evil. From conflicts in Northern Ireland to Ground Zero to the Amish countryside, this DVD reveals how forgiveness transforms lives. (DVD217)
• The Power of Forgiveness presents four studies that open our minds and hearts to a new understanding of forgiveness so we can embrace forgiveness as key to a wholesome and free life. Four 10-minute programs: The Origin of Forgiveness, What is Forgiveness?, Why Do We Need to Forgive?, How is Forgiveness Possible? (DVD47)
• We recommend a classic study of the many faces of forgiveness in Walter Wink’s Whole and Forgiven, a video study of six biblical texts about Jesus and healing. The format engages groups using centering prayer, guided imagery and role playing. Stories include The Man Let Down from the Roof, The Woman with a Hemorrhage, Blind Bartimaeus, the Bent-Over Woman and more. (DVD157=) (VT1007=)
• The Nooma films by Rob Bell exude themes of grace and forgiveness. Highly recommended for all ages, appropriate titles include Luggage (DVD115), Rhythm (DVD119), and Lump (DVD118).
• For a poignant picture of the spirit of forgiveness in war-torn Northern Uganda, the ELCA’s Mosaic: Ready to Forgive-An African Story of Grace captures the story of the Acholi people who are united in the belief that reconciliation and forgiveness are the only real solutions to their suffering and victimization. (DVD171)
• Bridge to Forgiveness from the Bible Study Series for Youth depicts the story of biblical brothers, Jacob and Esau to help young people reflect on their experiences of hurt, anger, and forgiveness. (DVD80)
• Bill Moyer’s film about South Africa’s struggle to end apartheid is a compelling account of the role of forgiveness. Facing the Truth with Bill Moyers traces South Africa’s oppressive past including questions of recrimination, punishment, and forgiveness. It describes the efforts of the Truth and Reconciliation Commission (TRC) (external link) to investigate human rights violations and help South Africa in its process of reinvention. Moyers speaks with TRC architect, Archbishop Desmond Tutu and with apartheid victims to hear their stories firsthand. (VT2380)
• Lewis Smedes’ books and videos about forgiveness are classics. We recommend “The Art of Forgiving” from Spiritual Homepage. (VT1745)

Don’t set limits to the mercy of God. Don’t imagine that because you are not pleasing to yourself you’re not pleasing to God.
- Thomas Merton in The Wisdom of the Desert

Articles / Printed Resources

• Looking at Life Piece by Piece by Kristen Kemper features a segment on forgiveness for youth and adults. (PR766)
• An issue titled Forgiving from The Living Pulpit highlights texts, articles, books, ideas for preaching, and more. (PR File) Among the articles is a classic about the work of Julian of Norwich, “Julian of Norwich and the Theology of Forgiveness.”

… whoever is resolved in prayer to forgive, and rises from praying without forgiving at all, this person does not think much of prayer. Indeed, the true test of our prayer is whether we do the will of God, including the spirit of forgiveness.
- St. Teresa of Avila in Way of Perfection

The preceding resources are highlighted and recommended for your consideration. If you have questions or would like to reserve a resource, contact Julie Aageson at 701-232-3381 or julie.aageson@ecunet.org

Visit the EaND Resource Center | Search the Catalog

Eastern North Dakota Synod - ELCA: The Spirit of Forgiveness

Leadership in the church is a multi-faceted topic. Whether we are talking about basic issues of faith formation and transformation or about management, the following resources may be especially useful for church leaders and congregation councils. Many additional print resources also are timely and important. Whatever leadership issues you may be facing, you will find here topics for monthly meetings, for faith formation and growth, new models for ministry, challenges to the way things may have been done in the past. Much food for thought!

Featured Resources:

• First Call (video)
• The In-Between Times: A Time of Pastoral Transition (video)
• To Call a Pastor: Helping Call Committees to Serve Effectively (video)
• The Opening Door: Calling a Woman as Pastor (video)
• Changing the Rhythm of Parish Ministry (video)
• The Rabbi’s Gift (video)
• The Overwhelming Love of God (video)
• The Goose Story (video)
• The Hardest Job: Leading a Congregation to Live From Its Liturgy (video)
• How Do We Help? The Goal of Christian Ministry (video)
• Taking Stock–the Shape of Faith Among American Protestants
• The Business of Paradigms (video)
• Paradigm Pioneers (video)
• The Church in a Changing Culture (video)
• Choices: New Concepts for Ministry in the 21st Century (video)
• The Power of Vision (video)
• A Call to Visionary Leadership (video)
• The Abilene Paradox (video)
• Fish! (video)
• Fish! Sticks (video)
• Congregational Planning Series (video)
• Leadership and the New Science (video)
• Leadership for the Congregation (video)
• A Peacock in the Land of Penguins (video)
• Running Good Meetings (video)
• Reinventing Leadership (video)
• Leadership for a Church in Mission (video)
• Riding the Wave: Strategies for Change (video)
• The Balancing Act–the Congregation as Emotional System (video)
• Groupthink (video)
• Congregation As Emotional System (video)
• How Your Church Family Works (video)
• Talking 9 to 5: Women and Men in the Workplace (video)
• Conflict in the Church (video)
• The Asoh Defense: Managing Blame and Forgiveness (video)

The preceding resources are highlighted and recommended for your consideration. If you have questions or would like to reserve a resource, contact Julie Aageson at 701-232-3381 or julie.aageson@ecunet.org

Visit the EaND Resource Center | Search the Catalog

Eastern North Dakota Synod - ELCA: Resources for Church Leaders

“A healthy congregation is one that actively and responsibly addresses or heals its disturbances, not one with an absence of trouble.” Every congregation, every family will know trouble, disruption, dysfunction. Knowing ourselves well enough to learn from these inevitable conflicts can contribute to stronger, healthier congregations and families. Healthy congregations have been a theme in the church for a long time. The following resources are selected from Peter Steinke’s work and from the work of family systems experts like Edwin Friedman, Murray Bowen, and Roberta Gilbert. This letter isn’t meant to be a finished work: we look forward to your input and suggestions of additional resources that will make this a more comprehensive bibliography.

Featured Resources:

• How Your Church Family Works by Peter Steinke
• Beating Burnout in Congregations by Lynne M. Baab – (B2864)
• Becoming a Healthier Pastor: Family Systems Theory and the Pastor’s Own Family by Ronald Richardson – (B3223)
• Bowen Family Systems Theory by Daniel V. Papero – (B2302)
• Church Conflict: the Hidden Systems Behind the Fights – by Charles H. Cosgrove and Dennis Hatfield
• Congregational Leadership in Anxious Times: Being Calm and Courageous No Matter What by Peter Steinke (B3302)
• Connecting With Our Children by Roberta Gilbert
• Creating a Healthier Church: Family Systems Theory, Leadership, and Congregational Life by Ronald Richardson (B2365)
• Eight Concepts of Bowen Theory: A New Way of Thinking about the Individual and the Group by Roberta Gilbert (B3322)
• The Emotional Side of Organizations (April 22-23, 1995)
• The Equipping Pastor: A Systems Approach to Congregational Leadership by R. Paul Stevens and Phil Collins (B1111)
• Extraordinary Relationships by Roberta Gilbert (B2313)
• Extraordinary Leadership: Thinking Systems, Making a Difference by Roberta Gilbert (B3321)
• Failure of Nerve, A: Leadership in the Age of the Quick Fix by Edwin Friedman (B2307)
• Family Evaluation by Michael Kerr and Murray Bowen (B2331)
• Family Therapy in Clinical Practice by Murray Bowen
• Family Ties That Bind by Ronald Richardson (B2497)
• The Fifth Discipline: the Art and Practice of the Learning Organization by Peter Senge (B1068)
• Friedman’s Fables by Edwin Friedman (B1071)
• From Stuck to Unstuck- Overcoming Congregational Impasse by Kenneth A. Halstead (B2179)
• Generation to Generation: Family Process in Church by Edwin Friedman (B764)
• Genograms in Family Assessment by Monica McGoldrick (B1067)
• Healthy Congregations: A Systems Approach by Peter Steinke (B1714)
• Hidden Life of Congregations, The by Israel Galindo (B3008)
• How Your Church Family Works by Peter Steinke (B1277 and B3301)
• Our Community: Dealing with Conflict in the Congregation by Susan Lang (PR736)
• “Failure of Nerve, A: Leadership in the Age of the Quick Fix” by Edwin Friedman (C207)
• “The Congregation as an Emotional System” by Peter Steinke (C135)
• “Stress and Effectiveness in the Ministry” by Edwin Friedman (C90)
• “Selected Readings from Friedman’s Fables” by Rabbi Friedman (C218)
• The Balancing Act – Congregation as Emotional System (VT1946 and (DVD147)
• Congregation As Emotional System (VT1092)
• Congregational Leadership in Anxious Times: Conversations and Reflections with Dr. Peter
  Steinke (DVD146)
• Family Process and Process Theology (VT1300)
• How Your Church Family Works with Peter Steinke (VT1087)
• Reinventing Leadership (VT1689) (also available on DVD)
• Leadership and the New Science (VT2038)
• Dealing with Conflict (VT1685)
• Road to Abilene (VT1686)
• Groupthink (VT1684)
• Everyday Creativity
• The Goose Story (VT1992)

The preceding resources are highlighted and recommended for your consideration. If you have questions or would like to reserve a resource, contact Julie Aageson at 701-232-3381 or julie.aageson@ecunet.org

Visit the EaND Resource Center | Search the Catalog

Eastern North Dakota Synod - ELCA: Family Systems and Healthy Congregations