ELCA Systems Academy

The ELCA Systems Academy is a four-year structured engagement with family systems theory, theology, and clinical work. For more info, read more in this post and this introductory PDF.

Pastor Steve Beyer, Lord of Life Lutheran in Sun City West, is our synod representative. Through the academy he’ll learn more about family systems and conflict, and assist our synod after he’s been trained.

From Mary Ann Schwabe:

As the days of Covid-19 began, the March 2020 session of the ELCA Systems Academy was one of the first events to feel the impact of cancellation. Since then, the Academy’s structure and curriculum has adapted well to an online format. As we look toward the beginning of a new Systems Academy year in October, we will have a modified online three day session for at least the October and January gatherings.  

We are now at a point of having 50% of the synods in the ELCA either having graduated an Academy participant after four years of engagement, or currently having an Academy participant enrolled.

As anxious symptoms rise, the work of the Systems Academy becomes even more important as Academy participants study and integrate family systems theory into their own daily experience. Academy participants learn ways to work with synod leaders and congregations from a systems perspective, promoting ways in which challenges may be better embraced by those leaders.

Read an introductory PDF which outlines the structure and work of the Academy. Please note that the Academy fee has been adjusted for the sessions which will be online.

With thanks for your partnership in ministry,

Mary Ann Schwabe
Deacon and Natural Systems Coordinator, Office of the Presiding Bishop 
maryann.schwabe@elca.org