New Book Chapter Features VBC Leadership

We are excited to share that our church leadership is featured in a new book, Reframing Ministry Leadership: New Insights from a Systems Theory Perspective, edited by Dr. Israel Galindo. This is the second volume from the faculty of Leadership in Ministry (LIM), a clergy leadership development program founded by former VBC pastor Larry Matthews, which now continues at Columbia Theological Seminary under the direction of Dr. Galindo, former Associate Pastor at VBC.

Carla Toenniessen, Church Council Chair and LIM faculty, and Pastor Austin co-wrote a chapter titled, “Reframing Conflict: The Hidden Potential of Conflict.” The chapter uses our congregation’s courageous and faithful navigation of financial challenges in 2017 to serve as a teaching tool for others. “As a school counselor and in my family, I had experienced the potential of how a crisis handled well could serve as a catalyst for growth and change,” Carla writes, “I am still inspired today and encouraged that the VBC community can take on and grow from future challenges that come our way.”

Galindo believes that our chapter provides important insights into ways congregations can navigate conflict well. He writes, "Carla and Austin's chapter illustrates not only how systems theory can be helpful in navigating a church crisis, but also how clergy, lay leaders, and members can address challenges in mature, non-reactive ways to reach responsible resolutions in matters that have potential for polarization." We look forward to hosting special conversations in the future with Carla and Pastor Austin on this chapter both as a way to celebrate our bold leadership in the past and inspire renewed courage as we lead into the future.