A native of Montgomery, Alabama, Olivia was raised in the congregation of First United Methodist Church where her family was actively involved and her mother continues to teach Sunday school. She attended Auburn University and received a Bachelors of Science in Business Administration before going to Emory University. She received a Masters of Divinity from Candler School of Theology in May of 2009. Before being appointed to Mount Zion United Methodist Church in Smiths Station, Alabama, Olivia served as the Associate Pastor at First United Methodist Church in Prattville, Alabama. She is currently enrolled in the Doctorate of Divinity Program at Duke University. Her interests are family systems theory, congregational leadership, reconciliation, and women’s leadership. In her spare time, Olivia enjoys running on the Riverwalk in Phenix City and Columbus, enjoying the Chatahoochee River, and spending time with her husband Steve and their three dogs: Emmie, Scout, and Susanna Wesley.
My presentation will discuss how to employ family system’s theory in a local congregation by working to alleviate anxiety and create a place of mutual understanding and eventually a united vision and mission for the community. I employed family systems theory in my current context and the church is a markedly healthier community of faith which is seeking to reach out into the community.
The LEAD Conference creates a space where leaders can come together to share their failures, successes, ideas, and dreams. We’ll supply the space, the food, and the hotel, but we need you. We need your participation, your ideas, your challenges, your perspectives, and your stories. So register now before it’s too late! Registration will close once we reach 85 people.
