The Bishop’s Spring Conference for Clergy, Lay Professionals & Spouses

May 5-7, 2014

The Bishop’s Spring Conference for Clergy, Lay Professionals and Spouses will take place May 5-7 at Shrine Mont. We’ll gather under the theme “And Press with Vigor On” as we theologically address the question of identifying the “elephants” in the room – both in a congregational setting and in our relationship with God. We’ll explore how to move forward with healthy, strategic conversations on challenges and conflict. Speaker Susan Luff will frame our discussion in the Bowen Theory, a systems-thinking approach to the study of human behavior. Our time together will be aimed at supporting the ministry of both lay professionals and clergy – so make your reservations to attend today!

Our Speaker

Susan Luff is a nurse, psychotherapist and leadership coach. She began working with clergy as faculty for Ed Friedman’s Leadership Seminar for Clergy in 1987. Her psychotherapy and coaching practice for clergy is in Bethesda and North Potomac, Md., and through phone consultation. In 2008, she began a Bowen-based monthly phone consultation group with book studies and case presentations.

Susan attended the postgraduate program (1977) and biofeedback program (1985) at the Bowen Family Center. She began individual coaching and group supervision with Ed Friedman in 1985.

Susan’s coaching includes self-regulatory practices for help with health and healing, surgery preparation, anxiety, pain, life and relationships. She has been teaching yoga since 2003. Her interests include kayaking, hiking with her dog, biking, writing, painting and singing.

Learn More

We encourage you to check out these resources about Bowen Theory before coming to the conference:

Sound RecordingsTo play file, simply “left click” on link. To save file, “right mouse click” on link and select ‘Save Target As’.

Monday, May 5th

Introductory Plenary with Susan Luff

Plenary 1 part 1 — Time: 00:26:35 File Size: 25 MB (please note first 5 minutes sound is rough)
Watch: YouTube Video: Friedman’s Theory of Differentiated Leadership Made Simple

Plenary 1 part 2 — Time 00:48:24 File Size: 45 MB

Tuesday, May 6th

Plenary Session with Susan Luff

Plenary 2 part 1 — Time 00:51:45 File Size: 49 MB
Watch: YouTube Video: Benjamin Zander — Classical music with shining eyes (TED)

Plenary 2 part 2 — Time 00:10:26 File Size: 10 MB

Conference Holy Eucharist Service

Sermon — Time 00:22:39 File Size: 21 MB