Some more notes from my Advanced Pastoral Relationship course at college. I'm really enjoying this subject
So the church can be viewed as a system, but which type of system does the church most reflect? Is it more like an organisational system (for example, a business or school or political party) or more like a family system? The biblical analogies would suggest the church functions more like a family and in fact there are considerable similarities between congregations and families. Let me offer some evidence.
1. Families have deeply entrenched values that pervade the whole of life. So do congregations.
2. Families are in the ‘business of life’; supporting, giving purpose, loving, producing identity and significance. So are congregations.
3. Families provide identity and relationships (the needs of individuals). So do congregations.
4. Families are interconnected at a very deep level. So are many congregations.
5. Families provide support and directions for members who are struggling. So do congregations.
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