By: Henry Gwani on October 7, 2021
Failure of Nerve may be classified as a classic contribution to social science, particularly the subject of leadership from the perspective of psychology. It seems to align with the sub-discipline of Strengths Psychology, which encourages the discovery and development of inherent strengths, rather than an unhealthy focus on weaknesses. The book is about leadership as…
By: Kayli Hillebrand on October 7, 2021
Several years ago, I had a counselor tell me that many evangelical organizations and churches function like an alcoholic family. It struck a nerve and has stayed with me since. I’ve shared it and processed the implications of it with several members of leadership at the Christian institution I work at, as I can see…
By: Roy Gruber on October 7, 2021
“So, should we help them or not?” A Church Board member charged with discerning requests and disbursing a benevolence fund to meet legitimate needs waited for the other six members of the Board to respond on the Zoom meeting. A family who previously sought financial help from the church recently submitted another request. A job…
By: Troy Rappold on October 7, 2021
Edwin W. Friedman’s book, “A Failure of Nerve” is unique in the non-fiction, leadership genre and its 10th anniversary reprinting stands as a testament to the book’s impact. Friedman had the experience of clinical practice coupled with the opportunity to teach on the theories of leadership and management at conferences and universities across the globe.…
By: Denise Johnson on October 6, 2021
The life of an overseas field worker is like the constant walking across a waterbed. It isn’t very stable or steady. But overtime and with practice one gains a sort of sea legs that is able to adjust to almost anything. There is almost an expectation of flight delays, travel challenges, and unanticipated changes to…
By: Eric Basye on October 6, 2021
Edwin Friedman was a man of many hats – an ordained rabbi, family therapist, and leadership consultant, to name a few. As part of his work, A Failure of Nerve was birthed to give insight into the leadership crisis he witnessed throughout his work. Two decades later, this book is as relevant now as it…
By: Andy Hale on October 6, 2021
As I stated in my topical expertise essay last year, “If Murray Bowen was the Father of Family Systems Theory, then Edwin H. Friedman was its Great Rabbi. Friedman, an ordained rabbi and family therapist, applied the family systems theory to the church and synagogue as an emotional unit.” In his uncompleted work, “A Failure…
By: Michael Simmons on October 5, 2021
Edwin Friedman’s work A Failure of Nerve offers a paradigm shift in the approach to healthy leadership. Responding to the cultural inflation of empathy, Friedman suggest that healthy systems are cultivated by self-differentiated leaders who value maturity over data, instinct over technique and individual responsibility over empathy. Undifferentiated leaders perpetuate systems of anxiety, reactivity, and triangulated…
By: Elmarie Parker on September 21, 2021
As my Mom and I sit vigil with my Dad, accompanying him on his death journey, I’ve found myself drawn to the Garden of Gethsemane. All four Gospels include narratives about Jesus’ time with his disciples in this garden, especially following Christ’s last supper with the disciples as he goes to pray prior to his…
By: Michael Simmons on September 16, 2021
St. Augustine’s work in The City of God is nearly too much to take in, even if captured through a panoramic lens. He seems to nearly take on the entire Roman empire and, by extension, the entire Western struggle to integrate the secular and profane, the church and state. I’m struck by his ability to think…
By: Eric Basye on September 16, 2021
Since first entering seminary and learning about the great philosopher St. Augustine, The City of God had been on my reading list. Whether it was due to the sheer number of pages or the complexity of his writing, twenty years passed before I first tackled this book earlier this summer. Little did I know at…
By: Nicole Richardson on September 16, 2021
Original Sin. Lots of sin or sin in moderation; how one understands it (or not) and applies it to humanity (or not) is at the heart of Alan Ryan’s interpretation of Augustine’s “City of God”. Ryan’s undergirding focus in his book “On Augustine” is tethered to Augustine’s theology as it effects his views of…
By: Henry Gwani on September 16, 2021
The Two Cities may be classified as an in-depth theological reflection on citizenship and allegiances. Augustine provides two pertinent Biblical alternatives: the “heavenly city,” which is eternal and the ultimate goal of every true child of God; and the “earthly city,” which may provide some appeal and comfort, but alas, is temporary. In my opinion…
By: Troy Rappold on September 16, 2021
Without question, Augustine’s, City of God belongs in the ranks with Eusebius’, Ecclesiastical History, Thomas Aquinas’, Summa Theologiae, and John Calvin’s, Institutes of the Christian Religion. Whew. . . it takes a bit of effort just to type that sentence, much less read those weighty and magisterial works. Happily, Alan Ryan distilled Augustine’s tome into…
By: Roy Gruber on September 16, 2021
In an age of disruption, how can followers of Jesus respond in ways that exert influence toward relationship, reconciliation, and faith? Augustine authored “The City of God” at a time with numerous similarities to our own. Political, social, and theological turmoil raged, with accusations leveled at Christians for many of the ills of that day.…
By: Jonathan Lee on September 16, 2021
The City of God by Saint Augustine is one of his many influential writings that impacted Western philosophy and theology. Even though Augustine’s writings are over 1500 years old, the theology and exegesis still affect every seminary and theologian worldwide. The complex and sensitive issues discussed throughout the book are the same issues that Christians…
By: Kayli Hillebrand on September 15, 2021
Not having entered this doctoral program though the more traditional route of seminary, I was not familiar with Augustine or his works until the readings this week. Philosophy also not being a subject that I would consider comes naturally to me, I found myself overwhelmed by the complexities of his thought at times. For me,…
By: Andy Hale on September 14, 2021
Augustine’s writings hold a powerful influence on the theology and bureaucracy of the Western Church to this day. In his works, City of God and The Two Cities, we can trace the theological influence of his doctrine of original sin, the outline of his Neoplatonic philosophy, and his beliefs about the connection between religion and politics. Ultimately, Augustine…
By: Mary Kamau on September 13, 2021
For those that have worked with me and know how busy I am, it was not easy for them to imagine me in a doctoral program. I generally do not have time to read other books besides the bible. From my enneagram results and a good understanding of my personality, I tend to be impatient,…
By: Elmarie Parker on September 12, 2021
Dr. Clark encouraged me to share some of my reflections as I accompany with my dad in whatever remaining days the Lord may grant us with dad’s presence (this is why I haven’t blogged on this week’s reading). A week ago, Pappy was moved to hospice status. His kidneys are failing. Mom and I had…
