Question

Can Bowen Family Systems Therapy apply to a congregation?

Answer 1

Family systems theory has been given by Bowen. It is an attractive model to church leaders because congregations are similar to families in their internal emotional dynamics. According to Bowen theory, whenever people spend significant time together they experience emotional fusion and this creates the necessary conditions for an emotional system which is the building block for all human interaction.

Leaders of congregations found it helpful because leadership roles within churches are often construed and experienced as familial. The metaphorical language of family systems naturally lends itself to congregational parallels, and Bowen included the topic of spirituality throughout his writings, at one time reflecting that a spiritual perspective could be added as one of the main components of Bowen Theory.