It's only recently that i've grown to discover there are actually two kinds of Non-biological Families:
The first is a group united around a Common Goal. In general, the members of this family are self-selecting; that is they choose to join this family. They belong to this family because they have chosen to pursue the shared goals of that group and they will continue to belong as long as they wish. For example, a member of an Army platoon will remain a member of that platoon even after he has left the service. I like to call this family type the Foxhole Family.
The second is a group united around a Common Leader. This members of this family are generally NOT self-selecting. While someone may desire to become a member of this family, they do not become members until they have been chosen by the leader. And they only continue to be members of this family so long as their loyalty to the leader remains. The movie 'The Godfather' illustrates this type of family quite well. If you're loyal to The Don, you're in the Family forever. But if the Don questions your loyalty, you can be 'removed' from the family [to put it nicely]. I call this family type the Mafia Family.
When i first went to work at the church, i thought i had chosen to join a 'Foxhole Family'. I thought i had enlisted in the mission of bringing Jesus to the world. But i was wrong. I had been recruited to join a 'Mafia Family'. I had become a 'made man' in the Mog's Family. And i never even knew it.
The Truth of what kind of family i joined has come into clear focus in the year following the Mog's decision to remove me from his Mafia Family. As a result of his decision i lost my job, my vocation, and my entire community. In short i lost nearly everything i was living for. It was also no secret that i was a recovering addict with a history of clinical depression. This is an obvious recipe for disaster. And yet in the last year the entire staff [including most notably the "Care" Pastor] has basically completely ignored me*. Much like the Mafia Family from 'The Godfather' i have 'become dead to them'. The reason for this is obvious. The Don [Mog] has spoken. And only a fool goes against the wishes of the Mog...
I had thought that this Family i had joined was a Foxhole Family united in a common goal; serving Jesus and building Christlike character. And what better way to illustrate Christlike character than to reach out in love to a suffering co-laborer in Christ. Instead it would seem that this Mafia Family is simply united around a common Mog. Tragically, from their actions in this matter i can only conclude that this Mafia Family is more concerned with following the Mog than they are with following Jesus. Even more tragically, i doubt most of them even realize it...
*i did receive one very kind note from a staff member. i would name her here, but sadly i'm afraid of what repercussions she might face as a result.
