competently it will adapt to the needs of the present circumstances, and the greater flexibility it will show when accomplishing its goals and living out its Christian principles within the circumstances presented to it."57 The higher the self-differentiation of the church body the higher the flexibility of coping skills and survival in times of crisis. People of a healthy faith community will be seeking spiritual transformation through the process of self-differentiation. The evidence of the people of a faith community practicing self-differentiation will be in their responses and modes of reactions to each other and to stressful events. A non-anxious reaction to a church crisis demonstrates some degree of healthy engagement of the people in the process of self-differentiation. The mission and vision of a congregation can be effectively lived out in the world when both pastor and people are seeking a higher level of self-differentiation. Traits of a Pastor as a Self-Differentiated Leader The importance of the PSDL consists in several general applications. First as the cultural changes affect the church the anxiety level rises within the local church context. Second, this anxiety level causes relationship problems of people within the local church context. Thirdly, the reaction to anxiety can be either negative by destroying relationships or positive as a fuel for becoming a healthier church. In all three of these applications, the PSDL will either facilitate a positive transformation of spiritual growth or become the victim of dysfunctional behavioral issues within the church context. The PSDL in the local context is an important perspective for the universal church as it deals with significant cultural changes. Declining church attendance trends and public opinion
competently it will adapt to the needs of the present circumstances, and the greater flexibility it will show when accomplishing its goals and living out its Christian principles within the circumstances presented to it."57 The higher the self-differentiation of the church body the higher the flexibility of coping skills and survival in times of crisis. People of a healthy faith community will be seeking spiritual transformation through the process of self-differentiation. The evidence of the people of a faith community practicing self-differentiation will be in their responses and modes of reactions to each other and to stressful events. A non-anxious reaction to a church crisis demonstrates some degree of healthy engagement of the people in the process of self-differentiation. The mission and vision of a congregation can be effectively lived out in the world when both pastor and people are seeking a higher level of self-differentiation. Traits of a Pastor as a Self-Differentiated Leader The importance of the PSDL consists in several general applications. First as the cultural changes affect the church the anxiety level rises within the local church context. Second, this anxiety level causes relationship problems of people within the local church context. Thirdly, the reaction to anxiety can be either negative by destroying relationships or positive as a fuel for becoming a healthier church. In all three of these applications, the PSDL will either facilitate a positive transformation of spiritual growth or become the victim of dysfunctional behavioral issues within the church context. The PSDL in the local context is an important perspective for the universal church as it deals with significant cultural changes. Declining church attendance trends and public opinion
EN_Reilly_PRP.docx