Evangelism from a Bowen Theory perspective' Or Murray Bowen meets Jesus

1
Evangelism from a Bowen Theory perspective.OrM
urray Bowen meets Jesus
2

• THESIS
• That if the Church is to take seriously its task
  of Evangelism, then it needs to take into
  account not just the biblical, ethical and
  theological context, but also the context of
  human relationships in which it takes place.
  This means that Evangelism must be rooted not
  just in sound theology, but also in a credible
  understanding of human functioning.

3

• Given these assumptions,
• What is Evangelism?
• Given then this particular definition of
  Evangelism, what then is needed in the training
  process to implement it?

4
THEOLOGICAL ASSUMPTIONS

• Theology needs to be relational rather than
  propositional
• The power of relationships
• God
• The Gospel
• Church
• As Institution and as
• The Kingdom of God
• The Mission

5
ASSUMPTIONS FROM BOWEN THEORY
6
THE EIGHT CONCEPTS OF BOWEN THEORY

• Differentiation of self
• Nuclear Family Emotional Process
• Family Projection Process
• Triangles
• Multigenerational Transmission Process
• Emotional Cut-Off
• Sibling Position
• Societal Emotional Process

7
TOGETHERNESS - INDIVIDUALITY

• Individuality is a biologically rooted life force
  (more basic than being just a function of the
  brain) that propels an organism to follow its own
  directives, to be an independent and distinct
  entity.
• Togetherness is a biologically rooted life force
  (more basic than being just a function of the
  brain) that propels an organism to follow the
  directives of others, to be a dependent,
  connected, and indistinct entity. Kerr p64

8

• The togetherness forces are derived from the
  universal need for love, approval, emotional
  closeness, and agreement. Bowen p.277

9

• The individuality force is derived from the drive
  to be a productive, autonomous individual, as
  defined by self rather than the dictates of the
  group. Bowen p.277

10

• There is never a threat of too much
  individuality. Bowen p.279

11
QUESTIONS FOR EVANGELISM

• Can Evangelism at times be a process that pushes
  for togetherness at the expense of individuality?
  
• Do evangelism programmes imply a togetherness of
  thinking and acting with little tolerance for
  self definition or individuality?
• What is the goal of evangelism?

12

• How does Jesus function in relationships?
• Does the relationship with Jesus enhance
  individuality? Togetherness? Or both?
• Does salvation enhance or restrict individuality?
  

13
Two Key Variables

• Anxiety
• Differentiation of Self

14
ANXIETY
15

• Since the response to the perception of a
  threat is anxiety, the more easily people are
  threatened, the more anxiety they experience.
  Since anxiety undermines a feeling of emotional
  well-being, people automatically act in ways
  designed to reduce anxiety. Kerr p74

16

• The greater the emotional interdependence of a
  relationship, therefore, the more easily people
  are threatened, the more anxiety they experience,
  and the more energy is invested in actions aimed
  at reducing that anxiety. The more actions
  people feel compelled to take to reduce anxiety
  and to avoid triggering anxiety, the less the
  flexibility of a relationship. Kerr p74

17
ANXIETY DEFINED

• Anxiety is an organisms response to a threat
  real or imagined.

18
Questions

• How does the Churchs anxiety about itself affect
  its outreach?
• How does anxiety affect the Churchs perception
  of those outside of the church?
• Can evangelism be subverted into a programme to
  manage the anxiety of the church?

19
DIFFERENTIATION
20
What isDifferentiation of Self?

• This difference between people in the
  proportion of life energy prone to be invested
  and bound in relationship is described by the
  concept of differentiation of self.

21

• The I position defines principle and action
  in terms of , This is what I think, or believe
  and, This is what I will do or will not do,
  without impinging ones own values or beliefs on
  others. It is the responsible I which assumes
  responsibility for ones own happiness and
  comfort, and it avoids thinking that tends to
  blame and hold others responsible for one own
  unhappiness or failures. Bowen p495

22

• The responsible I avoids the irresponsible
  I which makes demands on others with, I want,
  or I deserve, or this is my right, or my
  privilege. A reasonably differentiated person
  capable of genuine concern for others without
  expecting something in return, but the
  togetherness forces treat differentiation as
  selfish and hostile. Bowen p495

23

• Differentiation has two dimensions
• Focus on self
• And is undertaken in relationships, especially
  with those who are emotionally significant to one.

24

• The togetherness needs of a very poorly
  differentiated person, which are overriding in
  their influence, are felt as deep yearnings to be
  loved, accepted and guided through life. As
  differentiation increases, individuality is
  better developed, togetherness needs are less
  intense, and emotional reactiveness is better
  modulated.

25

• Autonomy does not mean selfishly following
  ones own directives it mean the ability to be
  self-determined. Self-determination could result
  in the choice to be guided by the best interests
  of the group. Kerr

26

• Differentiation is
• Being self-focused but not selfish.
• Being other focused without the loss of self.
  Kerr

27
QUESTIONS

• How will you know if Evangelism is a process of
  self differentiation i.e. a process that arises
  out of a more thoughtful and calmer place in self
  or when it is an emotional process that reflects
  the anxiety of the Church?
• What is the relationship between autonomy and
  salvation?

28

• Can evangelism be an invitation to fuse i.e. give
  up self to the church?
• What would evangelism look like when it is an
  expression of the churchs differentiation?

29

• How can we know if the witness of the Christian
  is an expression of the solid self?
• Can evangelism be understood as the Christians
  I statement?

30
Triangulation

• The basic building block of any emotional system
  is the triangle. When emotional tension in a
  two-person system exceeds a certain level, it
  triangles a third person, permitting the
  tension to shift about within the triangle. The
  emotional system is composed of a series of
  interlocking triangles. Bowen p.174

31

• The theory considers the triangle a
  three-person system as the molecule of any
  emotional system, whether it exists in a family
  or in a social system. The triangle is the
  smallest stable relationship system. A
  two-person system is an unstable system that
  immediately forms a series of interlocking
  triangles. The triangle has definite
  relationship patterns that predictable repeat in
  periods of stress and calm. Bowen p198-199

32
QUESTION

• Can evangelism programmes be a triangling process
  in which Christians project and bind their
  anxiety about their own future onto
  non-Christians?
• What can the church expect from evangelism
  programmes when the driving force for its action
  is anxiety?

33
Emotional Cut-off

• We have come to use the term emotional cut-off
  or simply cut-off to refer to emotional
  distancing, whether the cut-off is achieved by
  internal mechanisms or physical distance. Bowen
  p535

34

• The one who runs away does have a different
  life course. He needs emotional closeness but is
  allergic to it. He runs away kidding himself
  that he is achieving independence. The more
  intense the cut-off with his parents the more he
  is vulnerable to repeating the same pattern in
  future relationships. Bowen p.535

35

• The person who runs away from his family or
  origin is as emotionally dependent as the one who
  never leaves home. They both need emotional
  closeness but are allergic to it. Bowen p382

36
QUESTIONS

• Is emotional cut-off from families a
  characteristic of people living on the West coast
  of the USA?
• If those who cut-off from their families are
  allergic to too much togetherness, how can
  Christians witness to them without triggering
  their reactivity and distancing?
• If they are distancing from their families how
  can the Church minister to them without pursuing
  them?

37
GIVEN THESE THEOLOGICAL ANDBOWEN THEORY
ASSUMPTIONS, WHAT THEN IS EVANGELISM?
38
Evangelism defined

• EVANGELISM IS THE PROCESS OF DEFINING ONESELF
  AS A CHRISTIAN TO THE WORLD AROUND ONE.

39
A Systems View of the Evangelism Process

• Evangelism is relational. It concerns Gods
  relationship with humankind and nature and our
  relationship with God, others and nature.
  Evangelism therefore needs to be rooted in a
  relational theology that provides a broad
  relational understanding of life.

40

• Evangelism focuses on the relational processes of
  Gods activity and uses a number of scriptural
  images such as
• Love, justification, healing, liberation,
  separation, peace, celebration, teaching,
  listening, breaking of bonds, conversion, caring,
  restoration, salvaging etc,

41

• Evangelism is the witness to the presence of God
  in the world, others, nature and self.
• Evangelism is grounded in the Gospel of Jesus the
  Christ.
• Evangelism is the work of the Holy Spirit.
• Evangelism is about the Kingdom of God.

42

• Evangelism is a process of defining a self. It
  focuses on self rather than on the other.
• It is the I statement of Christians. This is
  not a selfish focus on self, but the taking of
  personal responsibility for self in
  relationships.
• Evangelism is about Christian self-definition,
  and not about defining or attempting to change
  others. Changing others is the work of the Holy
  Spirit.

43

• Evangelism relates to the thoughtful aspects of
  life rather than to the emotional.
• Evangelism as a thoughtful process of
  self-definition, and is an essential and integral
  aspect of the Christian life. As such it is an
  expression of the solid self of the Christian.

44

• Evangelism is a thoughtful response of the
  Christian to the call in 1 Peter 315
• Always be prepared to make a defense to any
  one who calls you to account for the hope that is
  in you, yet do it with gentleness and reverence.

45

• Evangelism is always undertaken in the context of
  anxiety both in the evangelist and in the one
  to whom he or she relates. This means that
  evangelism requires a high degree of
  self-management by the Christian.
• Evangelism affirms that God is involved in the
  lives of all people both believers and
  unbelievers.

46

• Evangelism is not judgmental.
• Evangelism is a process and not an event or a
  programme that one takes, studies or implements.
• Evangelism honours the differences between people
  and does not seek togetherness as sameness of
  thinking, feeling or behaviour.

47

• Evangelism finds it source of strength in the
  Holy Spirit.
• Evangelism is not to be equated with church
  growth. Evangelism may or may not lead to an
  increase in church membership.

48
Assumptions Underlying A Systems Perspective of
the Evangelism Process

• That Christians are often not familiar, or
  comfortable with telling their own, or their
  familys faith story.
• That awareness of their own faith story as well
  as that of their family, is normative for
  evangelism since this is the only authentic story
  for each Christian.

49
Question

• What process needs to be provided in order to
  assist Christians to define themselves?

50
Goals of the Evangelism Process

• To provide Christians with the opportunity to
  reflect on the presence of God in their own and
  their familys life.
• To provide an opportunity for Christians to tell
  their own and their familys faith story so that
  they can give an account of the hope that is
  within them.

51

• To assist Christians in a process towards greater
  self-definition.
• To provide Christians with the theological and
  theoretical resources that inform this process.
• To offer opportunities for biblical reflection.

52
Nel Family Tree
53
Evaluations

• The evaluations bore out the appropriateness of
  this process.

54
The following comments were made about the shift
in Thinking as a result of the process

• Telling my own story strengthened my faith
• A sense of gratitude for my family
• Less anxious about evangelism and where I belong

55

• I no longer focus on others
• I tell my own story
• Evangelize Yourself

56
Comments about Self

• Sense of joy in own uniqueness and what that
  brings to the Christian community
• Deeper and broader sense of Gods presence
• Can be my own person and be a Christian

57

• More responsible for self
• Always felt Gods presence but now see how God
  was present
• More tolerant of other people at work even those
  who dont believe since I know that God is at
  work. Cant wait for an appropriate time to tell
  my story.

58
Comments about God

• By going back to the family tree I realized that
  God was working there already. God is so much
  bigger and more loving.
• The visualization of the family in the family
  diagram aided in seeing God through he
  generations. Seeing was important.

59
Other Comments

• The sense of evangelism as managing ourselves
  rather than others, understanding our own stories
  so that we can share them with others.
• The restoration of relationships with God, self
  and others. Managing oneself etc

60

• The idea of seeing the family tree as a process
  of God working in the family

61

• The following quotation is attributed to Albert
  Einstein and is taken out of his context,
  theoretical physics
• "The significant problems we face cannot be
  solved at the same level of thinking we were at
  when we created them. Like the military that is
  always prepared to fight the last war, most of us
  gear our lives to handle in the future the
  problems we have encountered in the past. Like
  the military the problems of the present tend to
  be linked to those past solutions and catch us
  unprepared. We then tend to employ measures we
  have used in the past and, in unstable and
  stressful conditions, those measures have a
  likelihood of making the current problems worse.
  Papero "Stress, Society, and the Individual"

62

• Return to your home, and declare how much God
  has done for you. Luke 839

63
Share with those around you How much God has
done for you this past week.
64
THE BEGINNING OF THE ENDGo in peace and witness
to the hope that is within you.