Clear, Calm, and Connected: Reflections on Church Leadership

Clear, Calm, and Connected offers wisdom on leadership drawn from common ministry scenarios, family systems thinking, and Scripture. Paul E. Walters and Robert F. Holley, experienced pastors and long-time students of family systems theory, provide insights and tools to help ministry leaders--lay and ordained, as individuals and groups--view a congregation or organization and understand in fresh ways their own behavior, presence, and functioning.

Through accessible stories about familiar ministry situations, readers are introduced to key elements of family systems theory: self-differentiation, cut-off, triangles, family projection, multi-generational transmission, emotional process in society, and the nuclear family emotional system. As readers grow in their understanding of these concepts, they will be able to serve congregations more effectively and conduct their personal life with more grace.

Clear, Calm, and Connected is an excellent leadership training tool for boards, committees, or teams. Each chapter addresses one challenging issue, and chapters may be read in any order. Readers are encouraged to explore topics when anxiety is low, so when challenges arise and anxiety is higher, they have already practiced how to respond rather than react. It is an especially valuable resource for leaders working to discern mission, define roles, and respond to conflict.

Healthy Congregations 2020 Book of the Year

Paul E. Walters is the coauthor of Called by God to Serve and author of Love and Faithfulness: A Marriage Planning Handbook, and is a frequent contributor to Sundays and Seasons. He is an ELCA parish pastor serving in Southeast Michigan, a husband, and the father of three boys. Sir Paul is a Knight of Sufferlandria and a Moth Story Slam Winner.

Robert F. Holley is a retired ELCA pastor. He is a graduate of The George Washington University and The Lutheran Theological Seminary at Philadelphia. He is coauthor with Paul Walters of Called by God to Serve. Pastor Holley trains facilitators for Healthy Congregations.