And now, we finally release our Famous Lutherans Song. Written at the request of a large youth gathering, and put in video form by our cleverly named friends at Genesis 1. As you'll see, it is essentially every famous Lutheran in a song . . . hence the name.

Intentional interim ministry is a powerful, positive process that helps congregations clarify identity and the way forward when a pastor leaves. It supports a faith community by serving as a roadmap, guiding them as they prepare to call their new senior clergy. Is your congregation calling a new pastor and ready for an exciting and empowering journey of discovery? Contact the Center for Congregational Health (CCH) at: http://healthychurch.org

http://www.onlineacu.com Dr. Jonathan Camp discusses the book A Failure of Nerve by Edwin Friedman, who owes many of his ideas of leadership to Murray Bowen (1913-1990), a pioneer of family therapy. Central to Bowen's family systems theory is the concept of differentiation, or the ability of a person to maintain a strong sense of "self" within the family. The anxious family system is composed of emotional triangles, in which two conflicting members try to diffuse the anxiety between them by bringing in a third member. But this only heightens the anxiety of the system. A well-differentiated person is able to resist the lure of emotional triangles, which causes the family system to mature by influencing others to take responsibility for themselves. In A Failure of Nerve, Friedman applies Bowen's family systems theory to organizational leadership.

▶ fleas in a jar - we are a product of our thoughts!