I. Congregational Systems Inventory Introduction
The Tyranny of Successful Habits

II. Congregations as Systems
Systems Theory Axioms
Seeing the Whole: A Perceptual Shift for Congregational Leaders

III. Creative Tension
Beyond Homeostasis
Congregational Systems Inventory Measures Degree of Tension

IV. Systems Dimensions
Introduction
Strategy
Authority
Process
Pastoral Leadership
Relatedness
Lay Leadership
Learning
Conclusion

V. Analyzing the Profile
Interpreting Scores
Reading the Overall Profile
Trouble-Shooting Guide

VI. Strategies for Reclaiming Tension
Capitalizing on the Environmental and Developmental Forces
Becoming Conscious
Keeping Contention Alive
Recontracting
Disturbing the Equilibrium
Training

VII. Moving Out of Excess: The Strategy Scale
Strategies to Move from Excess at the Planned End of the Scale
Strategies to Move from Excess at the Spontaneous End of the Scale

VIII. Moving Out of Excess: The Authority Scale
Strategies to Move from Excess at the Concentrated End of the Scale
Strategies to Move from Excess at the Dispersed End of the Scale

IX. Moving Out of Excess: The Process Scale
Strategies to Move from Excess at the Mandatory End of the Scale
Strategies to Move from Excess at the Discretionary End of theScale

X. Moving Out of Excess: The Leadership Scales
Strategies to Move from Excess at the Managerial End of the Scales
Strategies to Move from Excess at the Transformational End of the Scale

XI. Moving Out of Excess: The Relatedness Scale
Strategies to Move from Excess at the Collegial End of the Scale
Strategies to Move from Excess at the Individual End of the Scale

XII. Moving Out of Excess: The Learning Scale
Strategies to Move from Excess at the Maximizing End of the Scale
Strategies to Move from Excess at the Metamizing End of the Scale

XIll. Profile Statistics
Generalizations about Congregations
Congregational Size Theory and the CSI Data

Appendix: Introducing the CSI: A Suggested Meeting Design
Notes
Bibliography