If you’ve read some of the posts here on this blog referencing family or congregational systems theory, perhaps you’ve been intrigued but you haven’t read a lot. Friedman’s Fables might be a helpful entry point for you.I recently finished the book even though I had read bits and pieces over the last few years. Obviously, I think the more background you have in systems thought or Friedman especially the more you can get out of it. However, this could also serve as a easy way to get a feel for the types of dynamics and issues that systems theory focuses upon.There’s about 24-25 fables that range from dynamics such as community anxiety, leadership differentiation, empowerment of others, overfunctioning in relationships, and other typical community dynamics. Not every one resonated with me and there were a couple that left me scratching my head, but overall I really enjoyed it and found some of these fables great illustrations of wise insights for relationships and community leadership.If I haven’t tempted you yet to check out the congregational/family systems world, consider this one more invitation 🙂
