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Matt Johnson Thesis - Final Draft.pdf (1.57 MB)

ETD Abstract Container

Abstract Header

Systems Informed Missional Experimentation: Finding Love at the Laundromat

Johnson, Matthew W
http://orcid.org/0009-0001-1282-4934
http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=mtso1682533467848948

Abstract Details

2023, Doctor of Ministry, Methodist Theological School in Ohio, Practical Studies.
This thesis explores the question, "How can an established congregation engage with Bowen Family Systems Theory to reveal hidden emotional processes that impact missional adaptive change?" The research took place in the context of a mid-sized Presbyterian Church (USA) congregation founded in 1851.The project utilized a Participatory Action Research (PAR) model with elders from the congregation serving as a research team along with the congregation's pastor as lead researcher. Four rounds of PAR research identified 1) a missional adaptive challenge for the congregation, 2) features of the congregation's emotional system in times of change, 3) features of the elders' nuclear family emotional systems in times of change, and 4) a systems informed missional experiment called "Laundry Love Day." This experiment incorporated what was learned about the emotional systems of the congregation and elders in order to more successfully address the missional adaptive challenge. Research was adapted midway to accommodate the COVID-19 pandemic. The project successfully demonstrated the potential benefits and difficulties of incorporating Bowen Family Systems Theory in missional adaptive change efforts. This research opens the door to further studies exploring the confluence of Bowen theory and missiology.
Dr. Emlyn Ott (Advisor)
Dr. Paul Kim (Advisor)
272 p.
Organizational Behavior; Religion; Religious Congregations; Theology
adaptive change; Bowen Family Systems Theory; congregational leadership; ecclesiology; emotional process; missional theology; societal trends

Recommended Citations

Citations

  • Johnson, M. W. (2023). Systems Informed Missional Experimentation: Finding Love at the Laundromat [Doctoral dissertation, Methodist Theological School in Ohio]. OhioLINK Electronic Theses and Dissertations Center. http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=mtso1682533467848948

    APA Style (7th edition)

  • Johnson, Matthew. Systems Informed Missional Experimentation: Finding Love at the Laundromat. 2023. Methodist Theological School in Ohio, Doctoral dissertation. OhioLINK Electronic Theses and Dissertations Center, http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=mtso1682533467848948.

    MLA Style (8th edition)

  • Johnson, Matthew. "Systems Informed Missional Experimentation: Finding Love at the Laundromat." Doctoral dissertation, Methodist Theological School in Ohio, 2023. http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=mtso1682533467848948

    Chicago Manual of Style (17th edition)

mtso1682533467848948
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© 2023, all rights reserved.
This open access ETD is published by Methodist Theological School in Ohio and OhioLINK.