How to Assess Congregational Health

The Leadership in Ministry program participants learn how Bowen Family Systems Theory (BFST) can be a “theory of practice for ministry” for understanding and assessing congregational health.

Developed by psychiatrist Murray Bowen, this theory, while originally focused on families, has been adapted to organizational contexts, including religious organizations and congregations in particular.

Key Concepts of BFST in Congregational Assessment

In his seminal work Generation to Generation: Family Process in Church and Synagogue (1985), Edwin Friedman argues that “the emotional process in religious organizations reflects the identical forces that exist in all natural systems.”

This perspective allows us to apply BFST concepts directly to congregational life.

1. Anxiety and Emotional Process

In How Your Church Family Works (2006), Peter Steinke noted that “anxiety is the most powerful force in relationships.”

In congregational assessment, identifying the anxiety level of the congregation is helpful in understanding how members, staff, and leadership are being affected.

High-anxiety congregations often exhibit:

• Reactive decision-making patterns
• Triangulation in leadership relationships
• Difficulty maintaining clear boundaries
• Polarization when anxiety is high
• Resistance to change initiatives.

2. Differentiation of Self

In The Art of Public Prayer (1999), Rabbi Larry Hoffman emphasized that “healthy congregations maintain a balance between togetherness and individuality.”

Leadership differentiation becomes a key indicator of congregational health.

Leaders must:

• Maintain clear personal boundaries while staying connected
• Navigate emotional pressures without becoming reactive
• Define and articulate personal positions while respecting others.

3. Emotional Triangles

According to Roberta Gilbert in The Eight Concepts of Bowen Theory (2006), “triangles are the molecule of human relationship systems.”

In congregational assessment, identifying relationship triangles can reveal:

• Power dynamics within leadership structures
• Communication patterns between groups
• Enmeshment among anxious members
• Conflict management strategies.

A Framework for Assessment

We can apply BFST to three areas to assess congregational health:

Leadership Function

A congregation and its minister mutually influence each other.

In The Hidden Lives of Congregations (2004), I emphasized that “the level of differentiation in leadership directly correlates with congregational health.”

Using BFST to assess healthy leadership function may focus on:

• Leadership’s ability to maintain a non-anxious presence
• Consistent practice of clear, open, and honest communication
• Maintaining healthy and appropriate relationship boundaries
• Responding to challenges and conflicts without reactivity and informed by principles.

Systemic Patterns

We can use BFST to observe relationship patterns and cultural practices that indicate congregational health:

• Ability to face and process change without excessive anxiety
• Maintaining a healthy balance between identity-informing tradition and innovation in response to change
• Clear decision-making processes based on shared corporate values
• Effective conflict resolution mechanisms and practices.

Emotional Process

In Creating a Healthier Church (1996), Ronald Richardson stated that “the emotional process in congregations mirrors family emotional process.”

Key indicators to observe include:

• The level of emotional reactivity in decision-making
• The presence and influence of chronic anxiety
• The quality of relationships between subsystems in the congregation.

Assessment Methods

Practical methods for conducting a BFST-based congregational assessment include:

• Systematic observation and discussion of relationship patterns, especially with staff and member leaders
• Analysis of communication styles and channels
• Evaluation of decision-making processes
• Assessment of conflict management approaches and training in better ways to identify and handle conflict.

Conclusion

BFST can provide a comprehensive framework for understanding and assessing congregational health. As Peter Steinke concluded in Healthy Congregations (1996), “A systems perspective helps us see the interconnectedness of all parts and their influence on each other.” This understanding enables leaders to:

• Identify areas of strength and growth
• Develop targeted interventions
• Foster healthier patterns of functioning
• Create sustainable positive change.

By applying BFST principles to congregational assessment, leaders can better understand the complex dynamics at play and work more effectively and proactively toward congregational health and vitality.

Sign up for the Leadership in Ministry program to learn more about how to apply BFST to congregational leadership.

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–Israel Galindo is the Associate Dean for Lifelong Learning. He directs the Pastoral Excellence Program of the Center for Lifelong Learning.