Formation of The Overton Institute
A small study group that was formed in the late 1970’s met with Burney every fall and spring for nearly 20 years. Several people in that group realized that the Relational Communication Program, and the practical theology (both pastoral counseling and religious education) that was informed by it, would be lost to future generations if a move was not made to preserve it within an organization. This group of “Burney people” had experienced the life-changing effect of Relational Communication and the theology of the unconditional love of God They recognized the efficacy of the program for contributing to building strong, healthy individuals, families and communities, and they wanted to assure that the Relational Communication Program would continue to be offered in the future. Further, this group recognized the need to archive and publish Burney’s papers and sermons, along with his book, in order to assure that his work proclaiming the theology of the unconditional love of God would be available to future generations. The W. Burney Overton Institute of Practical Theology, Inc. dba The Overton Institute was established as a Georgia non-profit corporation in 2003, in order to carry Burney’s work into the future.