Since 1993 I have taken the lead in working with my ELCA Synod on maintaining Healthy Boundaries for making the church a safe place. During my twenty years of work and more recently working with my Bishop in the area of ‘Fitness for Ministry’, I have noticed that sometimes when pastors think that they are creating healthy boundaries with congregants they are actually setting the stage for avoidant and anxious pastoral relationships within the congregation.

I would like to examine the attachment styles of pastors and congregations using the work of John Bowlby (1907-1990) and others. I have noticed that the key attachment question for congregations and pastors is ‘will you be there for me when I really need you’? When the answer is ‘yes’ this creates a secure healthy bond between pastor and congregant. When the answer is ‘no’ many problematic, avoidant and anxious patterns of behaviors are exhibited both in the pastor and in the congregation.

More specifically I would:

1. Examine the central tenants of attachment theory and make application to congregations and the Pastors professional and personal life.

2. Examine Pastoral Attachment styles and the dance of congregational “protest” when there is stress because of differing expectations and visions of mission.

3. Explore how ministerial and congregational life and attachment theory can be understood theologically.

My program includes readings on Attachment theory, Biblical study, theological reflection, and attendance at two conferences on adult attachment and dialog with middle judicatory leaders, pastors, and congregational leaders.

The desired outcomes of this work will be:

1.to coach and council pastors during ministerial stressors.

2.to create a workshop for pastors of the SE Penna Synod of the ELCA to support leaders in their Fitness for Ministry,

3.and make notes to begin the process of writing a book that summarizes my findings and thinking.