Edwin H. Friedman (1932–1996) was an ordained rabbi and practicing
family therapist. An in-demand consultant and public speaker
throughout the country, he led leadership training programs for
government, business, religious, and psychotherapy professionals at
his Center for Family Process. His groundbreaking volumes
Generation to Generation and A Failure of Nerve, which exposed the
connections between emotional processes at home and at work in
religious, educational, therapeutic, and business systems, have
become modern classics. He lived in Washington, DC.
The Rev. Dr. Peter L. Steinke was a noted author, congregational
systems thinker, and teacher. He died in 2020.
"The age that is upon us requires differentiated leadership that is
willing to rise above the anxiety of the masses. We need leaders
who will have the "capacity to understand and deal effectively"
with the hive mind that is us. This is, in Friedman's words, 'the
key to the kingdom.' I am grateful for this accessible new
edition."
—C. Andrew Doyle, Bishop, Episcopal Diocese of Texas
"In seminary, I learned to exegete scripture, to craft a sermon, to
think theologically. I did not learn how to lead a congregation. In
A Failure of Nerve, Ed Friedman invites leaders to cast a
courageous and imaginative vision, to lead resiliently, and to be
present and steady in times of deep anxiety; qualities of
leadership more urgently needed now than at any time in my memory.
My students find excitement and energy in the adventure of
leadership Ed invites us to embrace.
—Gina Campbell, Visiting Professor of Worship, Wesley Theological
Seminary, and Adjunct Faculty, Center for Family Process
"Perhaps more than ever, we need to prepare ourselves for
increasing our maturity, which means taking responsibility for our
own emotional functioning. As Friedman's mentor, Murray Bowen,
succinctly reminded us, 'If you lower anxiety one notch, it's a
better world.' We all owe thanks to Edwin Friedman for helping us
in this process."
— Peter L. Steinke, author of How Your Church Family Works and
other books (from foreword)
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