Dr. Clyde M. Narramore, graduate of Columbia University, New York City, is a psychologist and Consultant in Research and Guidance with one of the largest school systems in America.
Clyde M. Narramore, Ed.D.
The first contact mdy not produce the results you wish. It might re quire several appointments. I know of a school that had always been closed to evangelical release-time classes. Then a very tactful person from the church was chosen to go to the school principal and talk with him about the program to be offered. On succeeding visits they discussed training of the teaching staff, and the means of transporting the chil dren to and from school. After the two had become rather well acquaint ed and had gained confidence in each other, the school cooperated with the church to the fullest extent. Several times during the year the person representing the church phoned or called upon the school official to help evaluate the program. Yes, the process was a little slow, but it brought the very best results. Problem children in the Sunday school can often be understood and reached if the school is contacted in a tactful manner. Most school teach ers whom I know, realize that the education of any child depends upon the cooperation of the home, com munity and school. I think that most of them are more than happy to talk with a responsible person from the Sunday school about developing more effective ways of working with cer tain boys and girls. Wanteds A Christian Psychologist Do you know of a Christian psy chologist or psychiatrist near the town where I live? I receive many letters asking this question. No, I do not know of a listing of Christians in this field. I might suggest that you contact a lo cal minister or physician. Another source is a Bible college or a Chris tian college. If you address your inquiry to the head of a near-by Christian college, I think that you would receive the information you need.
such cases you might wisely with hold your answer, asking more about what they have asked. Encourage them to tell what they think. You will find that this is a good way to learn how they feel and where they need help. But remember—all of your technique, know-how and godly wis dom will avail little if you do not hold these interviews in strict con fidence. Churches and Public Schools Please discuss the relationship be tween the public school and the church. Is it not possible to have more coordination and cooperation? This question interests me a great deal inasmuch as I serve as a con sultant to a number of public schools where nearly 25,000 boys and girls are in attendance. As you know, education in America is decentralized; each community electing its school board which in turn makes final decisions concerning the school. Although there is some uniformity in practices throughout the nation, each school system is separate from all others and it is administered as the local community sees fit. In this way the individual citizen has a voice in school decisions. Since this is true, each school dis trict must be approached on an in dividual basis. If pastors, Sunday school superintendents and church leaders seek the cooperation of local school districts, they must contact the local school superintendent or principal. One of the major problems in edu cation is the development of better ways of becoming acquainted with, and of working with the people who live in the local district. Through out our nation, there is a trend for schoolteachers and administrators to seek the cooperation, understanding, and assistance of parents, churches and civic groups. I would suggest that one person from your church be selected to con tact the school principal or superin tendent in person. The logical per son might be a businessman, an edu cator, the director of Christian educa tion, the pastor, or the Sunday school superintendent.
Counseling W ith Youth
In the near future I w ill be em ployed as the youth director of a fine gospel church. I want to be used of the Lord in helping the young people with whom I work. What suggestions do you have for encouraging young people to counsel with a youth work er? After you get acquainted with your young people and they find that you are interested in them and that you are easy to talk to, they will ask you for your help and suggestions. Don’t expect them to come to your office! Some of the best counseling takes place to and from activities, as well as during social and athletic events. One device which has proved help ful in some churches is the question and suggestion box. If it is located in a good place and if attention is called to it, it will be used. Some of your regular meetings might be devoted to considering questions which have been written (unsigned) at previous meetings. Another idea is a reaction or inter est-inventory sheet. If such an un signed sheet is distributed to various groups of young people, they will indicate their interests and problems. This method will not only help to plan meetings and activities wisely, but it will give you an instrument by which you can discuss problems with an entire group. After this is done, the individuals will start com ing to you with additional questions and problems. Here’s another suggestion—set up a series of informal discussion meet ings with your young people on some night other than Sunday. Select a topic that is of special interest to them. Follow the meeting with sim ple refreshments. You’ll find that many of them who never entered dis cussions before will do so then, and I suspect that during refreshment time many will want to talk to you individually. You might think this over. When young people ask you questions they don’t always want your answer. It may simply be their way of opening, up a discussion of the subject. In
Readers are invited to submit questions which will be answered in future issues. Address questions to Dr. Clyde M. Narramore, King's Business, 558 South Hope Street, Los Angeles 17, California.— ED.
TH E KING'S BUSINESS
28
Made with FlippingBook - Online magazine maker