Faith Leadership Conference
February 7, 2025

From Characters to Congregations:
Windows into self and others

An online conference on Bowen theory and congregational life

The Faith Leadership Conference is an annual event exploring the challenges and possibilities faced by leaders of faith communities. Each year the conference has a specific focus, and includes presentations on Bowen theory, case studies, and discussion.

About this conference: Bringing Bowen theory to congregational and scriptural narratives will be the focus of this conference. We pattern our understandings by forming stories that account for our behavior and functioning. The narratives of the Hebrew scriptures are one example of this, as are stories of congregational life. This conference will bring a Bowen theory framing to the narratives as a way of learning to think Bowen theory. The Rev. Dr. Carol Jeunnette and Rev. David Goodine together offer a narrative and analysis of a fictional pastor beginning ministry in a new congregation. The circumstances and occurrences are easily recognizable.  As the story unfolds, we see the pastor examine both her own and the congregation’s functioning. Utilizing reflection from a Bowen theory perspective, pathways become clearer for this pastor to function as more of a self. This narrative is being prepared for a book publication by Fortress Press. 

Dr. Barbara Laymon brings Bowen theory to the early families of the Hebrew scriptural narrative. Drawing on her book, All the Families of the Earth: Therapists in Bible Times (Wipf and Stock Publishers), Dr. Laymon uses Bowen theory as a hermeneutical key, and as a way of revealing the theory itself. Laymon's imaginative approach involves behind-the-scenes therapists who counsel biblical figures and journal about their conversations.

This conference is open to all, especially those involved in congregational life in any faith tradition, and to those who teach Bowen theory.

Learn More

Overview | Registration | Schedule | Continuing Education Credits | Previous Conferences

Registration

Conference fee: $125

Conference Discounts

  • Current Bowen Center Faith Leadership Seminar participants: Please use the full discount code on your participant page.

  • Current Bowen Center Learning & Development participants: Use the conference discount code on your participant page.

  • Full-time students: Please contact info@thebowencenter.org with confirmation of your enrollment. A discount code will be sent to you.

 

Schedule

Time

Title

Presenter(s)
9:00 Welcome and Introduction
Randall T. Frost, MDiv, Director of the Bowen Center
The Rev. Edward Henley, Conference Chair
Edward Henley, Conference Moderator
9:10 Engaging History, Bowen Theory Style Edward J. Henley, MDiv
9:30 Falling In Rev. Carol P. Jeunnette, PhD and Rev. David Goodine
10:30 Discussion
10:45 Break
11:00 Digging Out Rev. Carol P. Jeunnette and Rev. David Goodine
12:00 Lunch
12:45 Bowen Theory as a Hermeneutical Key Edward J. Henley, MDiv
1:00 Awareness: Seeing Family Processes in the Stories of Scripture Barbara Laymon, PhD, MPH
2:00 Discussion
2:15 Application: Modifying Patterns in Self, Family, and Congregation Barbara Laymon, PhD, MPH
3:00 Conference Adjourns

Continuing Education Credit

This conference provides 5 hours of Category I continuing education (CE) for counseling or social work.

Purchase of Continuing Education Credits indicates that you have read the eligibility requirements and policies below:

Process & REQUIREMENTS FOR CE ELIGIBILITY: 

  • Pay the CE fee at time of registration. Be sure to choose “Add On” when purchasing your ticket on Eventbrite. *CEs are not sold the day of the conference or after a conference.

  • Attend each live streamed or in-person session in its entirety. The CE coordinator will note your attendance throughout the day. *We do not offer partial credits for partial attendance.

  • If livestreamed, you must appear clearly on video for the entire conference, with your first and last name listed (except during designated breaks or lunch). If your video is turned off or your name unlisted, you will receive a reminder from the CE Coordinator via the Zoom chat. Failure to turn on video or name yourself will result in disqualification from CE eligibility.

  • Following an event, eligible CE registrants will be emailed a link to complete the evaluation. The link will be sent to the email address you entered during checkout. You have 60 days from the event date to submit the completed evaluation. Once the completed evaluation is received, you will be emailed your CE certificate shortly after. All emails will be sent from ContinuingEducation@thebowencenter.org. *Please note, it may take up to several weeks to receive a certificate. If you still have not received a certificate 1 month after completing an evaluation, please email the Continuing Education Team.

POLICIES:

  • The Bowen Center does not offer refunds for CEs.

  • We are unable to offer CE credit for viewing any recordings.

  • We do not offer partial CE credit for partial event attendance.

  • Per state governing boards, we are unable to accept evaluations after the 60 DAY period.

  • It is the sole responsibility of the participant to verify their state’s professional licensure criteria for CE qualifications.  

The Bowen Center for the Study of the Family/Georgetown Family Center is authorized by the Maryland Board of Social Work Examiners to provide continuing education credit. This program is a Category I offering.  

The Bowen Center for the Study of the Family/Georgetown Family Center has been approved by the National Board for Certified Counselors (NBCC) as an Approved Continuing Education Provider, ACEP No. 6225. Programs that do not qualify for NBCC credit are clearly identified. The Bowen Center for the Study of the Family/Georgetown Family Center is solely responsible for all aspects of the programs. 

If you have any questions about CEs, please email ContinuingEducation@thebowencenter.org.

Georgetown Family Center, Inc.

Faith Leadership Conference

ACEP No. 6225

 

Previous Faith Leadership Conferences