Triangles

In my graduate studies I have become very interested in the therapeutic concepts of immeshment, fusion, triangles, and differentiation as it relates to God and to the church. These concepts describe different patterns of human interaction within relationships. Of particualr interest to me is the concept of the therapeutic triangle. The therapeutic triangle describes a pattern of interaction where one member of a family or a relationship will join with another member to secure a position of power. A triangle also enables the two members that comprise the base of the traingle to mask their feelings or thoughts through each other instead of dealing with their emotions and thoughts themselves. I am curious about whether or not we trianlgle our pastors in an attempt to mask our feelings or thoughts about God or even worse to filter God's response to us. In what ways does this take the responsibility away from us and leave it in the lap of the pastor? Are we enmeshed with God? What would being differentiated look like?