The Pastor's Heart with Dominic Steele Endurance in ministry through Family Systems - Jenny Brown and Craig Foster
6 snips
Aug 6, 2019 
Jenny Brown, family systems therapist and author, and Craig Foster, senior minister and consultant, explore how relational patterns fuel ministry exhaustion. They discuss distancing, triangling, over- and under-functioning, and practical ways leaders can notice patterns and respond differently. Short, candid stories and concrete team examples make the conversation relatable and urgent.
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How Craig Almost Quit Ministry
- Craig nearly left ministry after a season of intense personal and family stress led him to dread Sundays and consider quitting.
- He took stress leave, then began six months of Family Systems coaching which revealed distancing and overinvestment in work.
Predictable Patterns Drive Relationship Stress
- Family Systems highlights predictable relational patterns under stress: distancing, conflict, over/under-functioning and triangling.
- Recognising these patterns lets you observe your part and change relationally rather than merely blaming circumstances.
Stay Connected Not Distant Under Stress
- Stay connected instead of using distancing as your default stress response.
- Jenny warns distancing relieves stress short-term but causes isolation that fuels burnout in ministry and family.