I have entered the second part of Chap Clark's book "Hurt" and it is continuing to give me lots to think about. First, imagine how much more interesting your text books would have been if you would have had real life experience with what they were talking about. It's amazing how much I love this book. But I think it's because I have a point of reference.
Second, Clark suggests that in today's teenage culture small groups or "clusters" are created in every high school across the United States. Clusters are not cliques. Clusters are "a group of adolescents who identify themselves as a defined relational unit." as defined by Clark. They are not something that is in the vocabulary of today's youth but is something unspoken and almost automatic when entering high school. They are groups of, on average, 8 to 13, but could be less but rarely more. These clusters are so obvious to me now that Clark has defined them that I can't believe I missed it.
The primary formation time for clusters are at the beginning of 9th grade, or their first year of high school. This is where we experience the most drop off of youth in the church today. We hardly have a retention rate to speak of because these clusters are being formed and because church is something very low on the priority list then it no longer is a priority of the cluster as a whole.
Once again a light bulb went off. Why do youth always ask who's going to be at an event? It's because they want to know if anyone from their cluster is going to be there. The problem that Clark noticed is that the clusters tend to work as a unit. In other words the the whole group isn't keen to the idea, then no one is. Plus, you have to take into consideration what other clusters are going to be at a church event, because if the event isn't huge then the clusters may just have to interact and that may or may not be a good thing. Can we say drama!?
So, what does this mean for Word of Peace? This is a very reassuring bit of information from my point of view. If we can get the 9th grade clusters to be formed or at least have a common interest be church then we may have a fighting chance to keep the youth around longer. By pushing back confirmation and encouraging if not requiring 9th grade small groups we will intentionally infuse Jesus into the cluster forming process.
Youth are looking for a safe place right? Clusters provide that. Church is also a safe place. So what could be safer than a cluster based around the love of Christ? Not much if you ask me. Hopefully we can make it so this fall.
Blessings,
dain
2 comments:
I want to read this one too. Maybe you can loan it to me soon.
Interesting how well you can connect the thought-life to real world situations. You are very good at applying the revelations in this book to the lives of your youth, and I think the parents of your congregation would be very wise to talk to you more.
With your permission, I'd like to share your blog reports on this book with my Pastor, Phil Berge.
John Carr
Duder, you know that Margaret Hinchey is a good friend with Chap? She used to pal around with him at Group.
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