Faith, Functioning, and Bowen Theory

This conference was held April 10-11, 2024 in Arlington, VA.
RECORDINGS ARE NOW AVAILABLE

Conference Description

Bowen theory engages a wide audience. Many in traditions of faith have found the theory central to how they think about themselves and their relationships with others, offering insights into theology and the practice of care and counseling, leadership, teaching, and research.

Faith, Functioning, and Bowen Theory explored the implications of Bowen theory specifically for communities of faith. Conference recordings will be of interest to many in faith communities—nevertheless, they are intended for anyone with a professional or personal interest in this area. Faith Functioning, and Bowen Theory was held Wednesday, April 10-Thursday, April 11, 2024 in-person at the Unitarian Universalist Church in Arlington, Virginia or Online,

The conference’s featured speaker was John Haught, PhD, emeritus faculty and distinguished Research Professor at Georgetown University, Washington DC. His area of specialization is systematic theology with a particular interest in issues pertaining to science, cosmology, evolution, ecology and religion.

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Conference Recordings

Guest Lecturer

John Haught, PhD | Emeritus Faculty and Distinguished Research Professor - Georgetown University, Washington D.C.
Dr. Haught’s area of specialization is systematic theology with a particular interest in issues pertaining to science, cosmology, evolution, ecology, and religion. Dr. Haught has presented at numerous conferences on Bowen theory, faith, and theology organized by the late Fr.  Joseph Carolin, including the first such conference, in 1987, at which Murray Bowen was an active participant. Dr. Haught has authored two recent books which he suggests participants read prior to the conference. 

DR. Haught WILL SPEAK ON THE FOLLOWING TOPICS:

  • Teilhard de Chardin and Albert Einstein: A Conversation
    Although Albert Einstein denied the existence of a personal God, he confessed to being sincerely religious, and he thought that good science and right living cannot take place without faith. To understand what he meant by religion and faith, this presentation will place the celebrated physicist in “conversation” with his contemporary, Pierre Teilhard de Chardin. The two scientists had been living in the United States within miles of each other when they both died in the spring of 1955. If they had ever met and been able to talk about science, the universe, time, faith, God, and the meaning of life, how would the conversation have gone? This presentation, with the presenter as “moderator,” will attempt to outline points of agreement and disagreement between the two great scientists and religious thinkers. 

  • The New Cosmology and Reasons for Our Hope
    In my journey toward a theology of hope suited to the newest scientific cosmology, I have found support in a number of religious thinkers and philosophers, but I have traveled mainly in the company of Teilhard de Chardin and Alfred North Whitehead. In this presentation I outline how their shared, but at times differing, cosmic sensitivity has guided me as I have dealt in the classroom and my books with the main questions in science and religion. I propose in passing also that Teilhard’s cosmic vision and Whitehead’s aesthetic metaphysics together provide a fertile framework for a contemporary ecologically oriented theology of nature. 

Schedule

Wednesday, April 10, 2024

Time

Title

Presenter
9:00 Welcome Randall T. Frost, MDiv
9:05 Fr. Joe Carolin Legacy Endowment
 Kathleen Cotter Cauley, MEd, LMFT
9:10 What is Bowen Theory? What is Faith? And What is Theological Thought?
 Rev. Ed Henley, MDiv
9:35 What is the Relationship Between Bowen Theory and Faith and How Does it Influence One’s Functioning?

 Rev. Lori-Anne Boutin-Crawford, MDiv, RCC
10:00 Panel Discussion Priscilla J. Friesen, LICSW, Wednesday Morning Moderator
10:25 Break
10:45 Teilhard de Chardin and Albert Einstein: A Conversation 

 Distinguished Guest Lecturer:
 John F. Haught, PhD
12:15 Lunch Break and Book Signing
1:15 On Faith, Functioning, and Finding the Right Way: Developing Functional Strength

Daniel V. Papero, PhD, LCSW
1:40 Thinking Systems as a Christian
Rev. Robert Creech, PhD
2:05 Panel Discussion Anne S. McKnight, EdD, LCSW, Wednesday Afternoon Moderator
2:30 Break
2:45 The Balance of Individuality and Togetherness in Functioning and Faith

Barbara Laymon, PhD MPH
3:10 Can Ancient Scripture Illuminate Differentiation?

Erik Thompson, MA
3:35 Panel Discussion
4:00 Conference Adjourns for the Day

Book Signing Event! We're pleased to announce that Dr. Haught will be available to sign copies of his books at a book signing event at the April 10th lunch break. Please note that the Bowen Center is presently unable to acquire books for purchase at the conference, so plan to bring your own copies.

Although there is no assigned conference reading, Dr. Haught has requested that those who are able to purchase or borrow library copies of his books ahead of the conference, preview or read portions from one or both books. 

Thursday, April 11, 2024

Time

Title

Presenter
9:00 Housekeeping and Welcome Randall T. Frost, MDiv
9:05 Differentiation and the Divine: A Constructive Pastoral Theological Effort
Rev. Carol Jeunnette, PhD
9:30 Conceptual Links Between Bowen Theory and Theology
 Rev. Randall T. Frost, MDiv
9:55 Panel Discussion Jennifer Long, MDiv, Thursday Morning Moderator
10:20 Break
10:35 The New Cosmology and Reasons for Our Hope

Distinguished Guest Lecturer:
John F. Haught, PhD
12:05 Lunch Break
1:00 Presentation of the Polly Caskie Awards Randall T. Frost, MDiv
1:15 Forgiveness and Bowen Theory
Rev. Dana Runestad, MDiv
1:40 Bowen Theory: A Resource for Practical Theology
 Rev. Michael Nel, PhD
2:05 Panel Discussion Kathleen Cotter Cauley, MEd, LMFT, Thursday Afternoon Moderator
2:30 Break
2:45 God, Self, and Ministry
Rev. Robert Spillman, MDiv
3:10 Bowen Theory and Perspectives on Christian Faith Formation
Rev. Kenton Derstine, DMin
3:35 Panel Discussion
4:00 Conference Adjourns

CLINICAL CONFERENCE
April 12, 2024 | Faith and Functioning | Randall T. Frost, MDiv

 

Recommended Resources

Dr. Haught will be available to sign pre-purchased copies of his books at a book signing event held during the lunch break of the first day of the conference.

Haught, John. 2022. God After Einstein: What’s Really Going on in the Universe? New Haven: Yale University Press

Haught, John. 2021. The Cosmic Vision of Teilhard de Chardin. Maryknoll: Orbis Press,

CEU/CEs

These conference days will provide a total of 10.25 hours of Category I continuing education credits for social work and for counseling. Individual days are 5 CEs on Wednesday and 5.25 CEs on Thursday.

REQUIREMENTS FOR CE ELIGIBILITY

  • Pay the CEU/CE fee of $15 at the time of registration.

  • Attend the live-streamed or in-person conference in its entirety. Your attendance will be tracked throughout the conference.

  • If livestreamed, enable video and show your name on the screen, so that you are visible throughout the entirety of the conference, except during designated breaks or lunch.

  • Submit a completed evaluation no more than 60 days after the conference. Shortly after the submission of your completed evaluation, you will be emailed a certificate.

Policies: The Bowen Center does not offer refunds for CEs. We do not offer continuing education credit for viewing class recordings. It is the sole responsibility of the participant to verify their state’s professional licensure criteria for CE qualifications.

Learning Objectives

  • Increased ability to identify common symptoms of anxiety in self, families, and communities - especially as it manifests in the reactivity described as “polarization.”

  • Increased ability to see the reciprocity involved in relationship patterns.

  • Decreased focus on the functioning of others; increased focus on self when tension rises in a relationship or group.

  • Increased ability to see the emotional patterns described by Bowen theory and one’s part in them.

  • Increased imagination for responsible engagement of family, work and faith community when tensions manifest in the emotional processes of conflict, distance, triangulation and over/under-functioning - common components of polarization.

  • To develop a better understanding of how Bowen theory conceptualizes the process of polarization in families, churches, communities, and society, and how individuals can address their part in that process.

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 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 Continuing Education, please email ceu@thebowencenter.org.

ACEP No. 6225

 

Previous Faith Leadership Conferences

Previous Spring Conferences

Questions

For questions and further information, please email Emma Voorhes, Conference Coordinator.