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Family Systems: Tools for Ministry
Learn to cultivate community through healthy communication methods.
About this Course
Family Systems: Tools for Ministry was designed to assist clergy, ministry leaders, and church volunteers in understanding the ways that systems influence people’s experiences and behaviors, especially in families.
What You’ll Be Able to Do:
Today, many ministry leaders find themselves navigating conflict in the church, feeling stuck in unfruitful ways of thinking and behaving.
Family Systems: Tools for Ministry recognizes the need for not only healthy congregations, but healthy families within the church. The course provides a toolkit for learning how systems can enhance or detract from personal functioning and ministry. Learners will develop their God-given skills in listening, thinking, and communicating within these systems, building mindful strategies along the way that will aid them to respond in helpful ways.
Led by Jules Erickson, this course promotes acts of curiosity, noticing, and observing—without the panic of fixing.
Modules
Understanding Systems Theory
- Define and develop an understanding of systems theory.
- Develop your prayerful observation skills.
- Gain skills in applying systems theory to real-life situations.
Practicing BRAVING
- Understand the concept of differentiation as it relates to systems theory.
- Reflect on your identity in Christ.
- Observe instances of differentiation in your family or community.
Becoming a Non-Anxious Presence
- Understand what a non-anxious presence is.
- Develop your faith in a present and loving God.
- Build an ability to be a non-anxious presence.
Becoming a Well-Differentiated Leader
- Understand the concept of differentiation as it relates to systems theory.
- Reflect on your identity in Christ.
- Observe instances of differentiation in your family or community.
Exploring Systems with Genograms
- Become familiar with genograms and their value in studying systems.
- Explore biblical references about groups and communities.
- Develop a genogram about your own family or community to answer a question or find a pattern.
Identifying Triangulation
- Become familiar with triangulation and understand its influence on systems.
- Build your capacity for godly listening.
- Practice identifying and addressing triangulation.
Navigating Polarization
- Learn principles for how polarization affects systems.
- Rest in God's comforting presence.
- Develop strategies for entering into systems with those who are polarized or polarizing.
Functioning in Balance
- Understand the pitfalls of overfunctioning and underfunctioning.
- Develop your trust in God’s work in the world.
- Practice balanced functioning as you seek to help others.
One-time purchase
$55
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- Modules:
8 Modules
- Format:
Self-Paced, On-Demand
- Access:
Lifetime Access
Get to Know Your Instructors
Jules Erickson
The Rev. Dr. Jules Erickson is the senior pastor at All Saints Lutheran Church in Cottage Grove, Minnesota. Additionally, she has experience as a clergy coach with the Lombard Mennonite Peace Center and as an adjunct professor with Luther Seminary. Her ministry is focused on helping people live healthy, happy, non-anxious, and well-balanced lives.
Erickson is the author of Practical Grief: Stories of Loss and Love (2025). She is a certified facilitator of the Daring Way™ and Rising Strong™ curricula developed by Dr. Brené Brown. She received her Master of Divinity from Luther Seminary in 1995 and her Doctor of Ministry from the Lutheran School of Theology at Chicago in 2008.
She enjoys laughing, preaching, teaching, Crossfit, good food, and people of every age. She lives with her wife, Beth, and their two Goldendoodle dogs.
Ready to Enroll?
Enroll in this on-demand course today or unlock free access to this and all Faith+Lead’s on-demand courses, plus more with a Faith+Lead Membership.
Enroll in this on-demand course
$55
One-time purchase
- Access to this on-demand course
- Access the leaders guide for group study
- Access the course workbook for individual study
- A private, supportive online community
- Public display license for all on-demand courses and workshop recordings
- Access to 40+ on-demand courses
- Access every live and recorded workshop
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Access this on-demand course
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*by joining Faith+Lead Membership for just $19.99 per month
- Access to this on-demand course
- Access to all 40+ on-demand courses
- Public display license for all on-demand courses and workshop recordings
- Access all leaders guides for group study
- Access all course workbooks for individual study
- A private, supportive online community
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What to Expect with a Faith+Lead Academy Course
You’ll get a transformative learning experience that combines trustworthy theological teaching with spiritual practices, interactive elements, and a supportive online community.
Know
Expand your theological toolkit with fresh insights for today’s ministry landscape. Connect timeless wisdom with practical frameworks for navigating change.
Be
Do
Practice skills to lead confidently in your ministry context. Take actionable steps to invite your community into God’s unfolding story.
Every Academy course is designed to
Help your growth in one of these core areas:
Develop a Christ-centered identity, grounded in theology, scripture, and spiritual practice, that empowers community members to live as disciples of Jesus Christ in everyday life.
Tell the story of Jesus and invite neighbors into Jesus’ way of life and love through words and actions they can recognize.
Listen deeply, name God’s presence in the midst of everyday life, and form life-giving relationships across all dimensions of diversity—both within and beyond the church.
Through mutual relationships with the neighbors among whom you’re hosted, join in acts of compassion, justice, and reconciliation as a witness to the ministry of Jesus—especially in places of suffering and despair.
Harness skills of agile leadership, stewardship, fundraising, entrepreneurism, and management to be nimble enough to respond to a changing cultural landscape.
Frequently Asked Questions
What can I expect when I take an Academy course?
Academy courses consist of 6-10 lessons or modules, each walking you through the “know, be, do” learning framework. You’ll learn some new information with instructor videos and other resources (know). You’ll engage in a spiritual practice that will help you develop your faith around the topic (be). Then, you’ll be asked to apply what you’ve learned through activities completed online or in the “real world” (do).
How long will it take me to complete a course?
Each module is designed to take 15-45 minutes. Some learners complete the course in as little as one day. Some do a module a day or even a module a week. We suggest allowing some time between modules to process what you are learning, but not so much time that you lose momentum.
What resources are available if I’m a group leader?
Each course includes a flexible leader’s guide with multiple pathways for group facilitation. You’ll find thought-provoking discussion questions and practical activities that connect faith with daily life, designed to work with whatever preparation time you have available. These resources equip you to foster meaningful discipleship experiences that meet your community where they are.
What do I need to know about the free private online social group?
The private online group allows you to connect with others. Because our courses don’t have a required start or stop date, you will encounter others in different places in the course and even in different courses altogether. This is by design. Feel free to interact as much or as little as you like.
What should I do if I have questions or problems with my registration?
Reach out via email to faithlead@luthersem.edu with your question and we’ll get back to you with a response within two business days.
What if I have a suggestion or request for a course topic?
The best way to connect with us is to complete this form with your suggestion. We always want to hear your feedback. You may also include it in the comments section of the course evaluation.
Don’t see your question addressed?
Email us at support@faithlead.org for more information. We’ll be delighted to connect!