A metaphor is a figure of speech where a word literally denoting something is used to name something else, suggesting a similarity between the two. For example, if a place is trashed, one might call it a "dump." Of course, it isn't really a dump, but similar to one. I know, I know, it is a lame example, but it's all I could think of at the moment. Let me move on to a different metaphor--one that is frequently used of churches--the word "family." A family is a relatively small, close knit group of people that share life together and know each other more deeply than just names and faces. Families typically know what's going on in each other's lives and get together with some regularity.
'Family' has been a common metaphor for churches for a long time, although it is usually only 'insiders' or long-term participants who feel that a church is truly a 'family.' And I would say it is a workable metaphor until a church gets to be around 100 (150 at most) people. At that point, the dynamic of relationships begins to change. You simply can't know 150 or more people deeply and well; it's just too many to keep up with! So, a church has a choice to make: decide they are shutting the doors to newcomers to Jesus or restructure (and adopt a new metaphor) that will allow them to continue having a 'family' feel at a different level.
And let me tell you...a lot of churches choose the first option! They unbelievably indirectly choose that they aren't going to be 'open' to any more people. They will just stay to themselves and enjoy their close-knit family feel, thank you very much. And what does God eventually do with such churches? Bypass them! They make themselves useless to him because they aren't willing to risk and change to a new structure in order to continue on with his mission for them.
But...BUT...churches that adapt their structure to fit their reality can continue to live out Jesus' mission for them! Let me just jump to the point of all this. ("Finally!" you say.) On an average Sunday, there are around 320 people (adults, kids & teens) in GFMC's Sunday worship experiences and over 600 people call GFMC their church (you come close to seeing them all at Easter and Christmas Eve). 'Family' is simply no longer the right metaphor for GFMC now. It just isn't our reality. Just as a child eventually grows up from being referred to as a 'baby,' so we have grown out of realistically being referred to as a family. But we are not alone in this! Churches have stages, just as people do, and every church that is living out its purpose will at some point have to face this challenge! So what do we do? Close up shop to newcomers? Stop living out our calling to help people discover Jesus and live out a relationship with him? Nope...not an option! Instead, we need to rethink our view of church because if we have the wrong view in mind, we will actually begin to stifle our purpose for existing. And I don't know about you, but I don't want to answer to God for that!
So, what's a more accurate metaphor for GFMC that fits our reality? There are a variety of options. But we are much more of a church 'community' than 'family.' A community is a collection of families that are striving toward a common purpose. People in a healthy community may not all know one another, but they know some well, are known by some well, yet still leave room for newcomers who can then become a part of a 'family' also. In that sense, thinking of GFMC as a community allows us to not be locked in a mindset that we all have to know one another well. And...a community can continue to add newcomers to Jesus by creating more 'families' (smaller groups) within the greater community.
Perhaps some of you who have been a part of GFMC for a long time feel frustrated because it seems we have lost a great deal of that 'family feel.' And, I would say you are right! You have enjoyed the all-church get-togethers and large Sunday School classes. But it is not wise for us to look at ourselves as a single family unit any longer. And...it is OKAY to not look at ourselves that way. In fact, doing so may actually keep us from living out our calling at this stage in our existence. It is like trying to drive a square peg into a round hole. After all, 'family' is not the only way to look at a church! So, where can we find the 'family' part of our GFMC community? That now resides within Connection Groups, which are 'families' within the larger GFMC community. Chances are that if you are in a Connection Group right now, you'll still have that 'family' feel, only at a healthier and deeper level than if you are trying to get that feel through the whole church community. The 'family feel' is still present at GFMC...it's just changed where it is found. God has worked in and through GFMC as a 'family' in the past. Now, let's pray that God continues to work in and through GFMC as a 'community' of families, all serving together for the common purpose of introducing people to Jesus.
Want to know more about Connection Groups? Talk with any of us pastors... or just ask around. Chances are you'll find someone who's in one!
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