Author Ava Pennington
Author Ava Pennington
The Tate Family

Meet the Tate Family

Been thinking about organizations that depend on volunteers. Whether it’s your church, Bible study, non-profit agency, or even your workplace, you may have met one or more members of the Tate family. They can be found in almost every organization…

Dic Tate wants to run everything.

Ro Tate tries to change everything.

Agi Tate stirs up trouble whenever possible.

Irri Tate always lends him a hand.

 

Hesi Tate and Vegi Tate pour cold water on every new idea.

Imi Tate wants to copy every idea she sees.

Devas Tate loves to prophecy the failure of every new plan.

Poten Tate wants to be a big shot.

 

Miss Tate speaks without knowing the complete facts.

Debili Tate tries to cripple all of the leader’s plans.

Decapi Tate tries to remove the leader completely.

Regurgi Tate keeps trying to bring up old issues again and again.

 

Gravi Tate changes her position at every meeting.

Ampu Tate has cut himself off from the group over a minor disagreement.

 

But Facili Tate is always helpful.

Cogi Tate and Medi Tate see problems as opportunities and suggest solutions.

Resusci Tate breathes new life into existing ideas.

Rehabili Tate corrects errors in implementation.

(Author Unknown)

 

The Tate family often shows up at church, too. Not all of them are bad to have around. But each of us has to choose: which member of the Tate family do we most resemble? The apostle Paul reminds us:

“God has put the body together, giving greater honor to the parts that lacked it, so that there should be no division in the body, but that its parts should have equal concern for each other. If one part suffers, every part suffers with it; if one part is honored, every part rejoices with it. Now you are the body of Christ, and each one of you is a part of it” (1 Corinthians 12:24-27).

Are you working at cross-purposes with others in your organization or are you working together for the good of everyone?

Which member of the Tate family do you resemble?
Which member of the Tate family would your pastor say you resemble?

 

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9 Comments

  1. Sue

    Very thought provoking, Ava. Which Tate am I and which do I want to be? Who is God calling me to be?
    Thank you for the refocus I need.

  2. Yvonne Morgan

    Such a clever way to show us the Tate family, great job Ava. I printed this to share with others too.

  3. Jeanne Takenaka

    Great thoughts Ava. I’m sure I’ve been both positive Tates and the not-so-positive Tates. I’d much rather be the kind of person who encourages others to draw closer to Jesus.

  4. Melissa Henderson

    I know I’ve been part of the Tate family at times. I pray I will pause and think before speaking. I want to shine His light.

  5. Candice Brown

    Personally? I most identify with gravitate, especially when I’m meditating on the opinions of others rather than what God says about me. I absolutely LOVE this blog, Ava!

  6. Jessica Brodie

    I have definitely encountered the Tate family… so true! It’s important to assess what role we play in group dynamics. I strive to be one who listens and encourages and helps lead/guide.

  7. Melinda Viergever Inman

    Very clever and insightful. This is definitely what we see anytime we attempt to get a group of people moving in the same direction. I’m sad to say that often the church is the most difficult group of people to get moving in the right direction. And yet, these personality types all can be seen everywhere, in every group. Hopefully, we can see clearly if we’re one of the negative Tates, and we can choose to be one of those those who bring people together.

  8. Nancy E. Head

    I love the Tates! Much to ponder about them!

  9. Janice D. Green

    I’ll have to medi-tate on that one to figure out which one describes me. I enjoyed the read, and will ponder how my presence contributes to the whole.

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