I went to a carnival once and was so excited to see all the festivities. I could hear the laughing and screaming coming from the Ferris wheel and roller coaster and the lively music being played by the entertainers. The smell of funnel cakes and sweet cotton candy hung heavy in the air. In the distance, I could see different games, such as ring toss and balloon darts, where kids were trying to win prizes like giant stuffed animals and goldfish. However, it was the artist across from the petting zoo that caught my eye.
I walked closer so I could see what she was doing. Standing on my tiptoes to peer over the heads in front of me, I saw a person sitting in a chair in front of the artist while she drew the person’s portrait on a large canvas. This reminded me of my grandfather, who was a masterful artist and would draw amazing works of art by pencil. He passed away when I was young, so I never got to see him draw. I suddenly became excited by the prospect of this artist drawing my portrait, so I proceeded to the end of a long line.
After what felt like an hour, it was finally my turn to have my portrait drawn. The artist asked me what I wanted her to draw, and I said enthusiastically, “Me!” With a smile on her face, she proceeded to do so. I wondered how she would capture my features such as my nose and eyes. I thought that perhaps I would frame it and hang it in my office. Better yet, perhaps it would be something my descendants a hundred years from now would have to remember me by. Once the artist was finished, she proudly handed me my portrait. With eager eyes I gazed upon her creation—only to discover that the portrait before me was not the type of portrait I was anticipating. Instead, what I saw was a caricature!
Have you ever seen a caricature? If so, then you know that a caricature is a comical imitation of what is real. Features are drawn in such a way that they are distorted to exaggerate characteristics of the subject. It made me wonder if the Church has done this where the community is concerned and what exactly is REAL regarding how it truly connects with its community. I wondered whether, instead, it is inadvertently building walls like a fortress rather than multiplying disciples like Jesus did by connecting to the community.
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Dr. Gia R. Tatone is a ministry and leadership coach who helps Christian leaders and communities grow with clarity and purpose. Holding a PhD in organizational leadership from Regent University, she brings deep academic training and hands-on community development experience to her coaching work with Church Doctor Ministries. A university lecturer, published author, and proven community leader, Dr. Tatone equips leaders to make a lasting Kingdom impact.
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