Dr. 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 the United States.
CHURCHES AND PUBLIC SCHOOLS
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 suc ceeding visits they discussed training of the teaching staff, and the means of transporting the children to and from school. After the two had be come rather well acquainted and had gained confidence in each other, the school cooperated with the church to the fullest extent. Several times during the year the person represent ing 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 teachers whom I know, realize that the educa tion of any child depends upon the co operation of the home, community 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 effec tive ways of working with certain boys and girls. COUNSELING WITH YOUTH Q. 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? A. 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 de voted to considering questions which have been written (unsigned) at pre vious meetings. Another idea is a reaction or in terest-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 also 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 meetings with your young people on some night other than Sunday. Select a topic that is o f 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 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.
Q. Please discuss the relationship be tween the public school and the church. Is it not possible to have more coordination and cooperation? A. 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 elects 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 sep arate from all others and it is ad ministered 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 princi pal. 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. Throughout our nation, there is a trend for school teachers and administrators to seek the cooperation, understanding, and assistance of parents, churches and civic groups in educational problems. I would suggest that one person from your church be selected to con tact the school principal or superin tendent in person. The logical person might be a businessman, an educator, the director of Christian education, the pastor, or the Sunday school su perintendent. The first contact may not produce the results you wish. It might require
THE KING'S BUSINESS
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