A Systems View of Congregational Functioning

Perspicacity - Ability to see, capacity to act.

Resourcefulness

Helpless

Engaged

Tension

Unmanaged

Well-regulated

Connectedness

Fused/Cut-off

Connected

Perspective

Narrow View

Overall patterns

Goal Structure

No goals

Realistic Goals

In survey research conducted on 475 congregations, Joseph Stewart-Sicking and I tested the five dimensions of Papero's 2018 Systems Model for Family Assessment. We found that the five dimensions proposed in Papero’s model were actually sub-dimensions, all measuring one underlying factor, which we hypothesize to be differentiation of self. And that congregations - like families - can be more or less differentiated. More information on our research is available on ResearchGate here. Thanks to Dan Papero.

Fused/Cut-off

Helpless

Engaged

Unmanaged

Well-regulated

Narrow view

Overall patterns

No goals

Realistic Goals

Connected

Adapted from Papera, D.V (Spring 2018). Developing a systems model for family assessment. Family Systems: A Journal of Natural System Thinking in Psychiatry and the Sciences.

Survey Options

Thinking of trying a systems view with leadership in your congregation? Interested in a report on your congregation’s response to challenge? Perspicacity offers a validated questionnaire to gather information and report findings.

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