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A study of the Christian youth fellowship of the Wilshire Christian Church of Los Angeles

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A study of the Christian youth fellowship of the Wilshire Christian Church of Los Angeles

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Content A STUDY OF THE CHRISTIAN YOUTH FELLOWSHIP OF THE WIL3HIRE CHRISTIAN CHURCH OF LOS ANGELES A Thesis Presented to the Faculty of the Department of Sociology University of Southern California In Partial Fulfillment of the Requirements for the -degree Master of Arts by Merle Mi son Fish, Jr. June 1941 DM I Number: EP65626 All rights reserved INFORMATION TO ALL USERS The quality of this reproduction is dependent upon the quality of the copy submitted. In the unlikely event that the author did not send a complete manuscript and there are missing pages, these will be noted. Also, if material had to be removed, a note will indicate the deletion. UMI EP65626 Published by ProQuest LLC (2014). Copyright in the Dissertation held by the Author. Microform Edition © ProQuest LLC. All rights reserved. This work is protected against unauthorized copying under Title 17, United States Code ProQuest LLC. 789 East Eisenhower Parkway P.O. Box 1346 Ann Arbor, Ml 48106- 1346 4-A, f 6~aa. 21 7 thesis, written by ....... merle EDI ...... under the direction of Æ».. Faculty Committee, and app ro ved by a ll its members, has been presented to and accepted by the Council on Graduate Study and Research in poMial fu lfill ment of the requirem ents f o r the degree of MASTER OF ARTS D éan Secretary Faculty Committee Chairman TABLE OF CONTENTS CHAPTER I. THE PROBLEM AND DEFINITIONS OF TERMS USED The problem . . . # • . • . Statement of the problem . Inportance of the study . Research methods used . . . . Definitions of terms used • . . Christian Youth Fellowship Accommodation ........................ Action • •... .................... Assimilation ....................... Attitude ........................... Conflict ........................... Opinion ........................... Socialization ................ Organization of the remainder of the thesis II. REVIEW OF THE LITERATURE ................. Specific works on The Christian Youth Fellow ship . .... .................... Limitations on the literature thus far pro duced • . ... .................... III. THE PROBLEM TO BE STUDIED CONCERNING THE PLAN History and background of the Christian Youth Fellowship , ....................... PAGE 1 1 1 2 3 3 3 3 3 3 3 3 4 4 4 5 ;5 8 9 10 CHAPTER Relationships to the Local Church • • • Relationships to State and National Organization Relationships to Interdenominational Organiza tion ........................- • . IV. THE CHRISTIAN YOUTH FELLOWSHIP ORGANIZATION AS NOW IN USE AT. THE WILSHIRE CHRISTIAN CHURCH The Youth Board . The Youth Executive . The Committees . . Study Committee Worship Committee Personnel Committee Recreation and Social Life Committee Service and Social Life Committee Short Term and Special Interest Committee V. PROBLEMS MET IN THE FORMATION OF THE FELLOWSHIP BY THE WILSHIRE CHURCH YOUNG PEOPLE . Problem of a union of two churches . . First Christian Church • Wilshire Boulevard Christian Church Age Youth Conflict . . . . Problems of Conflict and Accommodation Arising From the P l a n ................... . Problem regarding the amount of time involved in PAGE 11 12 13 16 L l6 35 37 37 39 40 41 43 44 45 46 46 47 51 55 CHAPTER in order to make it function smoothly Summary . • • • • • • • VI. CONTRIBUTIONS MADE BY THE CïF TO THE YOUTH WORK AND A PREDICTION OF SUCCESS FOR THE FUTURE Treatment of the questionnaire results . Needs m e t ................ . . Personal and group problems solved . Changed attitudes on the part of the youth, the church and the community • VII. SUMMARY AND CONCLUSION . . . . Summary ....................... Conclusion . . . ................ BIBLIOGRAPHY . . . . . . . . . . APPENDIX .■ ............................... PAGE 65 67 69 69 92 95 96 102 102 106 109 114 LIST OF FIGURES FIGURE PAGE 1. A Diagram of the Correlated Plan • . . • 6 2. Diagram^of the Unified Plan for Program Ruilding .. 23 3. ' Age Distribution of Those Answering the Questionnaire 52 4. Histogram of Results on Question 1 . 5. Histogram of Results on Question 2 . 6. Histogram of Results on Question 3 < 7. Histogram of Results on Question 4 , 8. Histogram of Results on Question 5 < 9. Histogram of Results on Question 6 , 10. Histogram of Results on Question 7 1 1. Histogram of Results on Question 8 , 12. Histogram of Results on Question 9 ■ 1 3. Histogram of Results on Question 10 14. Histogram of Results' on Question 11 1 5. Histogram of Results on Question 12 1 6. Histogram of Results on Question 14 70 71 72 73 76 80 82 83 85 86 87 88 89 CHAPTER I THE PROBLEM AND DEFINITION OF TERMS USED ^’ or many years there have been several organizations for young people which have been competing to obtain their interests and leadership in every local church, ^o offset this and to make for correlation and unification, the Christ ian Youth Fellowship has been developed by the Disciples of Christ churches. This consists of a program, primarily, rather than an organization which is planned for the youth of ages twelve through twenty-four years. This movement is as yet too new to have been given a thorough test. It has, however, been adopted by a fev/ churches which have it in a process of development and seem to be having a fair degree of success. I. THE PROBLEM Statement of the problem. Questions which present themselves to be answered in this study are : What is the Christian Youth Fellowship? '^hat is the origin and back ground of the Fellowship? What procedures were used in the Wilshire Christian Church to develop the Fellov/ship program? What problems and difficulties were encountered? What con tributions have been made to the Church by the Fellowship? What procedures were used when group and individual conflicts 2 arose? What are the weaknesses of the program? What are its strong points? What contributions has it made to the community? What effects has the program wrought in the lives of the youth? Importance of the study. "Christian Youth Building a New World** has been a slogan for church youth of all evan gelical denominations for the past decade. However, most of the work which has been done to date has been groundwork which has consisted of laying plans for building this new world, -^he Christian Youth Fellowship is one of the products of this groundwork which is only now beginning to function. It is a program which has been worked out on a functional basis in the national offices of the Disciples of Christ in order to make the Christian Youth of this Brotherhood more united within their ovm program and in that of the world. It excludes no group but works for all mankind thereby making for a firm foundation. The growth of this organization in the Disciples Fellowship is not expected to be phenomenal but evolutional in order that its roots might sink deeply and have the strength which comes from endurance. The study of a pio? neer group working in this enterprise at the Wilshire Christ ian Church may aid in the realization of some of the poten tialities of this unified front of Christian Youth. 3 Research methods used. These have consisted largely of: the participant-observation method, the author being the present Director of Youth Activities at the Wilshire Christian Church; and multiple-choice questionnaire, the form of which is included in the appendix. Informal interview was utilized, but not extensively. The results as referred to in this thesis are'largely derived from the two main methods given. II. DEFINITIONS OF IMPORTANT TERMS USED Christian Youth Fellowship. The Christian Youth Fellowship is a program for all of the Young People of the Disciples of Christ. It is uniting of the young people of these churches in a purposeful fellowship in local, state, national and interdenominational groups for fruitful and , active participation in building a Christian World. The abbreviation which will be used throughout will be CYF. Accommodation. Getting along together in the face of difficulty and conflict. Action. That which a person does in private or in public. Assimilation. A process of becoming similar. Attitude. An acquired tendency to act toward a given value or object. Conflict. "The interchange of persons who express contra dictory attitudes".^ 1 General Manual (The Christian Youth Fellowship Manuals. St. Louis: Christian Board of Publication, 1939)) Cover. 2 Emory S. Bogardus, Contemporary Sociology. (Los Angeles: The University of Southern (-California Press, 193 D ) p. 260. 4 Opinion. An expressed belief or what one thinks about a situation. Socialization. The growth in capacity of one to take part in a group and to identify his welfare with the welfare of others. Organization of the remainder of the thesis. The re mainder of the thesis is taken up largely in attempting to give a rather complete picture of the Christian Youth Fellowship as to its background; its aims and purposes; what it has meant in new attitudes on the part of the youth; and successful operation to date. A comparatively new program,.it has its roots in a practical problem facing every Brotherhood, that of trying in some way to bring about a greater Christian Fellowship among its youth and a more efficient method&of accomplishing a changed social order, which means changed attitudes and practices on the part of individuals. The material of this thesis is based almost completely upon the experience of one group, the Wilshire Christian Church CYF, as it has put its program qnd organization into practice. All practical problems which have arisen, and the solutions as worked out by this group are given. CHAPTER n REVIEW OF THE LITERATURE Little has been written of the CYF specifically, but muSh general material and data can be applied to it. Any ma terial on youth work in the Christian field, and much in the educational field can be applied indirectly to the subject. Specific works of the CYF. The Christian Board of Education has published one pamphlet and three manuals thus far, with the hope of three additional manuals in the near future * The General Manual of the Christian Youth Fellov\rship deals with the specific plan, set-up, program and organiza tion of the CYF. It tells how to begin and suggests two plans, either of which is an accepted one. The correlated plan, which the Wilshire CYF uses, is included here and will be found on the next page. The Study Manual deals with building a program of study for the youth which will take care of the Sunday morning, Sunday evening and through the week activities and needs of all youth concerned. Suggestions for study units and sample programs are given.^ In addition to these there are 1 Study Manual (The Christian Youth Fellowship. St. Louis: Christian Board of Publication, I94O), pp. 7-8. é A DIAGRAM OF THE CORRELATED PLAN The Official Board of the Church The Educational Committee The Christian Youth Fellowship Cabinet President, Vice Presidents, Secretary, Treasurer Chairmen of standing and special committees Adult Adviser and assistants Pastor or Director of Religious Lducation^. Church School Committee First Vice Presi dent , Chairman Department Super intendent The Officers of the Department Chairmen of Com mittees t ie c re àt i on ^d Social Life Committee Chairman Representatives from the corre lating organiza tions Members at large if desired Christian Endeavor Committee Second Vice President Chairman Adult Adviser Other Officers of the Society '-'hairmen of Circle or Triangle Committee Third Vice Presi dent, Chairman Adult Adviser Other Officers Chairmen of Committees Service and Social Action Committee Chairman Repre sentatives from the corre lating organiza tions Members at large if desired Personnel Committee ' Chairman Representatives from correlating organizations Members at large if desired FIGURE 1 7 twelve pamphlets on Christian Fields of action which are published by the United Christian Youth Movement.^ These materials are excellent, and supplementary to the material contained in them, many resources are given which will enable one‘to carry the study” further. In. the Worship Manual, the.essentials of worship are given as to steps in worship, planning the service, organ izing the committee, and training of the Youth to take part. The work of the committee is outlined, and suggestions for financing the program and supplying adequate equipment and materials are set forth. Bibliography sources are given for reading, study and library of the groups. A Program Guide for Christian Youth is a yearly pub lication which supplies all dates and special occasions for the Youth to recognize in planning their program for the year. It is a useful and suggestive pamphlet and is neces sary to the CYF because of its make-up which designates it as a program, primarily, rather than an organization. The additional pamphlets are as yet not published but will be within the year. They will deal with: Personnel (Membership); Service and Social Action; Recreation and Social Life; and a Manual for Leaders of Intermediates, which is already published. The Latter Manual was published because the CYF recognized the differences in the work with Junior High 2 post, pi. : 1 1 2. 8 people in contrast to the High School and College Age, even though they have grouped them together. Limitations on the literature thus far produced. The matertial so. far is meagre, but it is excellently done with adequate sources quoted by which one can probe more deeply into the problems and organizations which are discussed. The actual carrying out of the plan is up to each church and therefore will undoubtedly progress slov/ly. If I were to voice my criticism of the literature it would be that though the pamphlets seem to be developed very simply, it takes a good background of experience in church technique to make them understandable. Although, to the experienced church worker, the plan could be readily conceived, to the uninitiated it would seem unduly complex. CHAPTER III THE PROBLEM TO BE STUDIED There is a broad base of precedent for à movement toward a program of this kind in the Christian Churches, for of the five largest bodies of protestant Christianity in the United States, thé Disciples have the least organized Youth Work. The Methodist Epworth League and the Baptist Young People’s l&iion were founded before the turn of the century. The Congregational Pilgrim Fellowship have as yet not formally initiated any organization for theih youth. The CYF is ahead, in one respect, of these other groups, in that the whole activity of the Youth is organized under one head, giving unity to> the program. The Baptist Young Peoples* Union and The Epworth League are reorganizing this summer for the same type of unification which will permeate every activity of their Youth, rather than just the Sunday evening work. In this way they no longer compete with interdenomi national agencies, such as Christian Endeavor or the United Christian Youth Movement, but build them into their program as a part of the total picture and plan for their young people. 1 The Christian Church, Church of Christ, and - ( - ' i s - cipes of Christ are the same brotherhood. However, to avoid confusion with other Christian bodies they are listed Nation ally as Disciples of Christ. 10 History and background of the Christian Youth Fellov/- shin. The Disciples pf Christ have had a very loosely organ ized Youth work for several years, consisting largely of a paid area director and a Youth Board formed of representative young people of the Ai'ea. This did nothing for the local church situation, but organized the churches of a district in order to promote fellowship and train leadership. This new organization is the very latest in terms of the findings of psychology, education, and sociology, for it consists primarily of a program around which all phases of the life of Church young people are unified and directed as part of the development of Christian personality, thus making for an integrated individual who will carry into each part of his life, every other part, with a central purpose of Christian living. Early in 1938, the division of Christian Education of The United Christian Missionary Society began to think in terms of this more inclusive program for Youth. After pro viding for a small amount of advance publicity, the General 2 Manual appeared in 1939* A few churches began to take hold of the idea, for to some it was the answer to a prayer vvhich they had had, that such a thing as this should be done. The committee was very anxious that the project be con- 2 Cf. post., P.-10 9. 11 sidered more in terms of a program for Youth, than an organi zation for Youth. It was felt that the program was the essen tial part rather than the machinery which carried it out, in other words the method is important but the. program is pri mary . Relationships to the Local church. All of the Young People in the church are represented by the same Youth Officers,3 which enables them to present a united front in many activities and to promote a more inclusive fellowship. United, the Youth are able to have a significant part in the life of the church. The Youth at present have been unable to have any direct representation upon the board by one of their members, but indirectly they have a voice through their Director of Youth Activities and an adult appointed by the board to sit in on all meetings of the Young People,and report back for them. The combined groups have had a definite sum set aside for their use by the church for equipment, retreats and,con ferences which they could not have had as single entities. The CYF cooperate fully with the church program by building it into its calendar plans, and having its Youth available for every phase of church activity: taking of the offering; serving of the ordinance of communion; having parts 3 See The Youth Board, Chapter IV. 12 on the programs of the church, Sunday and through the week; and even taking over the whole service of worship as they train for leadership in the church of today and tomorrow. In all activities they are given a place and due con sideration, largely because their membership when combined makes a significant church group, and, as a unified body, the CYF is better able to train its leaders for service in the church. Relationships to State and National Organization. The State and National Organization exists for the local church. It is for the purpose of helping the individual members of each church to cooperate in a wider fellowship and to be able to have many advantages which they could not have in themselves. Among these : leadership training is made available that would otherwise not be at hand; projects in the missionary sense and mass fellowship gatherings can be carried out, that other wise would be impossible, study materials prepared jointly are far superior to those that could be done individually; and a sense of a larger group is an incentive to carry on a better pro gram in the local situation. There is no direct relation in the sense of having to join the larger organization, it is merely a gesture on the part of the brotherhood^ to enable the Youth of the several 4 The Disciples of Christ call themselves a brother hood rather than a denomination. 13 churches to cooperate. Nothing is compulsory, all is volun tary, throughout the coirplete program. The General Manual, however, has this to say. It is very important that a Christian Youth Fellowship not live unto itself alone. To do that is one of the surest ways of making impossible an effective fellowship. Each Fellowship must have a part in the Fellowships in the same church, in the total program of the local church, in the program of the brotherhood and in interdenominational activi ties.5 Relationships to Baterdenominationa1 Organizations. Each local Christian Youth Fellowship. , needs in terdenominational fellowship and a share in interde nominational activities. The most effective avenue for this is the United Christian Youth Movement. This movement embraces practically all Protestant communions and all of the major youth agencies such as Christian Endeavor, the Young Men’s Christian Association, Young Women’s Christian Association, The Boy Scouts of America, and Christian student groups. Its purpose is to unite Christian youth in the building of a Christian world. It emphasizes the importance of personal Christian living, help ing other people be Christian>7;and study and action in connection with the problems confronting our modern world. While the program is not limited to them, it provides ten areas for study and action. These ten areas are ; Personal Religious Living . Helping Other Young People Be Christian Facing the Liquor Problem Preparing for Marriage and Home Life Building a More Christian Economic Order Breaking down Racial and Cultural Barriers The Christian Use of Leisure Building a Warless World Christian Patriotism 5 General Manual (The Christian Youth Fellowship Manuals St. Louis: Christian Board of Publication, 1939)) p. 57* 14 Missionary Action This movement is not another organization. Rather, it is a program emphasis. Local groups participate in it by engaging in study and action in connection with one or more of the areas listed or any others which are areas of need. Its slogan is "Christian Youth Building a New World". From time to time it sponsors special projects such as ■ personal devotions during the Lenten period.and peace demonstrations on Armistice Day. Every attempt is made to incorporate these emphases in the suggestions for Christian Youth Fellowships. They are built into study and dis cussion materials and into the curriculum of young people’s summer conferences. The various projects are promoted through our young people’s papers, the Front Rank and Highway, and through the World Call. Uur young people are encouraged to partici pate in this larger movement. Christian Youth Fellowships in local churches should cooperate with other Protestant youth groups in this program which is usually promoted by Christ ian Youth Councils, the name generally given to the interdenominational religious education agencies for youth. It is carried also as the program em phasis of the International Society of Christian Endeavor. If by any chance these agencies or Christ ian Endeavor unions are not emphasizing the pro gram of the United Christian Youth Movement, Christ ian Youth Fellowships should urge them to do so and should share in it In addition to this cooperation with the United Christ ian Youth Movement the CYF cooperates to a certain extent with the Christian Endeavor program by: maintaining a Christ ian Endeavor Society; aiding their program financially; giv ing use of its equipment; attending and taking part in con ventions and conferences; and contributing some leadership 6 Ibid.7 pp. 58-6 0. 15 talent for the'.ongoing of the C. E. program. The fundamental difference in the United Christian Youth Movement and the Christian Endeavor is that the former is primarily a program, while the latter is in the truest sense a complex organiza tion not concerned with a program of Youth action. The CYF of the Wilshire Church, at the present time is cooperating with both of these agencies. Certain satis factions arise from both groups, in that the Christian Endea vor serves to satisfy certain emotional needs of the Youth, and give them an enthusiasm, while the United Christian Youth Movement tends toward leadership training, and intensive and extensive study on Christian social problems and action. There is no doubt that both groups are developing Christian character, but owing to the fact that the latter does theirs without fuss or fanfare by a program of education and study, it tends to grow more stable Christian personality. This is to be said for Christian Endeavor, that after many years of the same procedures, they are commencing to realize that their appeal must be modified to fit present trends and are doing a commendable bit of reconstruction tending toward modern methods of religion, sociology, psychology and education.. CHAPTER IV THE CHRISTIAN YOUTH FELLOWSHIPS ORGANIZATION AS NOW IN USE AT THE WILSHIRE CHRISTIAN CHURCH Though the organization has been modified slightly to fit the needs at the Wilshire Church, it has retained essen tially the complete set-up as put forward by the General Man ual and included on page six of this thesis. The Youth Board.1 This group is composed first: of the president, adult adviser, and an elected representative from each age group, as Junior High, High and College groups; se condly, the president of every other organization which has a youth membership is represented by their president, as the Christian Endeavor, the Youth Choir, and the Phalanx Society (Y.M.C.A, ); thirdly, a representative from the official board and the Youth Director are ex-officio members. This is the make-up of the board at the present time and includes fourteen members.. The President of the College group acts as Chair man. The functions of this board are concerned with clear ing of dates, cooperation of the groups, and recommending of policies for the various groups. It has no executive or legis lative power, but must do all of its work through recommendations 1 Referred to as the Christian Youth Fellowship Cabinet Of ante, p. 6. 17 The General Manual gives these duties for the Youth Board: 1. To study the' various type of experiences which should be included in the Fellowship program, 2. To choose the members of the standing commit tees. 3. To create special committees as these are need ed. 4. To refer to the various committees and officers responsibility for working out the phases of the pro gram. 5. To receive reports of committees and officers concerning what has been done and what is planned, and to build the program for the Christian Youth Fel lowship. ; 6. To review the plans of committees and suggest improvements. 7. To keep the Fellowship's program definitely related to the total church program. 8. To keep the Fellowship’s program adequately related to the program of the brotherhood and inter denominational activities. 9. To relate the program to worthy community, national and world-wide activities. 10. To secure needed equipment. 11. To see that the program is financed. 12. To have the treasurer’s books audited at the end of his term of office. 1 3. To counsel with the leadership of the church and the church school in the selection of teachers and advisers, and to approve their appointment. 14. To plan in cooperation with the church lead ers responsible for leadership education, for the improvement of teachers, officers, and leaders.'^ The board meets once a month but when the CYF reaches a more advanced stage, probably once every quarter will be sufficiently frequent. In order to have some objective idea of how this board works when in session, an impartial observer from the graduate 2 General Manual (The Christian Youth Fellowship Manuals St. Louis: Christian Board of Publication, 1939)> pp. 19-26. 18 school was asked to observe and record his impressions of a meeting. Certain symbols are necessary to avoid the use of names, therefore, HS will stand for High School member; JH for Junior High; C for College representative; and A for Adult. A number will be used to designate different people from the same group. MEETING OF THE CHRISTIAN YOUTH FELLOWSHIP BOARD OF THE WILSHIRE CHRISTIAN CHURCH Meeting held April 10, 1941 Group8 present Jr. High 2 (One was the adult sponsor) Sr. High 3 (One was the adult sponsor) College 4 (One was the Director of Youth, exofficio) C. E. 1 -Adult Board 1 It seemed that most of the problems considered were concerned mostly with the college group. How ever, the Junior High President was very capable and able to enter into the meeting when concerned. The entire group was interested in all that was taking place, but except for HS’s participation in the discussion the college representative dominated. The other members were ready when called upon to take part, give their report or opinion. -'•here were two or three people who dominated the discussion. Cl has more to say than any two others. C2 had too much to say for the chairman of the meeting. He did not have the meeting well enough in mind to use proper initiative for a chair man. A1 also had a large part in the discussion at times. At a point or two he had too much to say. It was recognized at the meeting that the trea surers reports were inadequate. It was partly due to the fact that they were to be presented only to see 19 how each department stood. If each report v/as needed for a definite purpose probably cooperation would have been better. It was interesting to note that in the discussion of the duties of the study chairman that there was a marked change in direction of thought, seemingly without anyone noticing it. The problem presented was on how to guide or to control the teachers so that they could or would give the students what they wanted. The discussion ended up with a consideration of how to gét the student to study. The change was due, it seemed to a feeling of inadequacy to meet the problem as first presented. A-11 new committees that were appointed although made up of a representative group were given to one of the older members as chairman. I feel that this sort of thing will help to defeat the purpose of the board. Some of the younger members are capable of handling groups. S 03É E TUB OIKIEBünSR) More of the work of this Board could be done in committee and then acted on by the group rather than to spend so much time in discussing the problems themselves. The study committee might have a larger goal than to either guide the teachers in a choice of sub ject matter or to get the student to study. Such a committee should have as its work to find out what the group it represents needs, for its spiritual growth. Further, such a group should be empowered to work with the superintendent and to get something done.. If the work of the board is to unify the pro gram of the three constitutent groups there should be one committee for all of them. It should plan a course of study that will see the development of the person continuously from Jr. High through the College department. In the matter of finances a unified budget would help to cement the whole group. Each group would have a quota to raise and the money distributed through a central budget. 20 The matter of what groups should be represented on the Board was brought up. It seems that any activity or group that is working within the Youth group should be represented on the Board, If more of the work of the Board is done in committee the size of the Board itself will not be of such that it will have to be limited. One other thing. I wonder if having a Sorority in the church is wise. To me a ^orority is an exclusive group and tends to become a clique, it seems to me that churches have enough trouble with Cliques without fostering it with a Sorority. This matter of exclusiveness is also one of my objections to the Phalanx. However, the type of thing that is done by both the Phatax and the Sorority (in this instance) is important to the well being of the church program, but all of the members of the church (youth) should be welcome to participate. The report seems to bring out a few of the difficulties in this type of board when it is put into.operation, but it also points toward some definite contributions that it makes to the work of correlating the several groups. The meeting did deal to a large.extent with the College group’s problems, however, directly and indirectly these were also problems of the other two groups. The older groups are to a larger extent on their own, they have to decide their poli cies for themselves. The Sponsor and Youth Director help the younger group more in solving their problems, in the High School and College groups they remain in the background as much as possible, joining in only when they haye something valuable to the ongoing of the discussion or the decision of the group. The report refers to the fact that the ' ’entire group was interested in what was taking place," in addition to that 21 the meeting lasted t#o hours, and there was little or no time taken that did not relate directly to things being considered, which is commendable in the span of age groups. There were a fevj who dominated the discussion, this is a common experience in almost all social groups. As was pointed out, these who dominated, instead of informing the group were in some instances trying to urge a decision upon the group. It is interesting to note that! the group felt that the Youth should have some sort of responsibility for advance study before coming to church school, to help the teacher and to enable the students to receive more from the lesson. One would hardly expect the young people to suggest home work for themselves. . In addition to the weakness noted here by the observer that, "All new committees that were appointed although made up of a representative group were given to one of the older mem bers as Chairman,there was another weakness in that all mem bers were appointed from the board, when it might have been better to have selected persons not on the board to work with a chairman from the board. The suggestions made by the observer will be referred to in the conclusion. The sorority which he mentions, is a recently formed group, started by some of our girls who were not in sororities or in school and wished for some sort of companionship of this nature. It is open to all girls who 22 are or become members of the other groups in our church. The Youth board has not as yet voted them representation, because they do not reach outside the bounds of the other groups in the CY^. One of the.principles of the program is that all of the ïouth be represented, and since there are no girls in this organization who are not in the other groups, and therefore are already represented, it is not necessary. If a time should arise when they become a recruit ing group for the church, the board may see the need of voting them representation. The ideal set-up which we hope will come eventually is unification, rather than correlation. A diagram of the unified plan will be found on the next page.3 It will take probably two or three years in order to bring this about, for a process of education and growth must take place. %at took place at the meeting in terms of individual and group conduct is not revealed by the report of the observer. However, there are some phases of the meeting which add clarifi cation as to what went on concerning action, attitudes and opinions. At the beginning of the meeting the observer was intro duced as a friend of the Youth Director and he then took an unobtrusive place in a rear seat. He was accepted as one of the ^ Ibid.7 p. lé. 23 DIAGRAM OF THB tlN IirrE D PUus PIÏ0GÜ1AM IS U IIiD ilK ; The Official Board) of the Church The Educational Committee The Christian Youth Fellowship Executive Committee Pres., Vice Pres., Secretary, Treasurer Chair, of Standing and Special.Committees Adult Adviser and Assistants Pastor or Youth Director atudy Worship Com— Com- Committee mit- Recreation and Social Life Service and Social Action Committ ee (Short Term And Special Interest lommittees As Heeded FIGURE 2 24 group and ignored for the rest of the meeting as far as business and actions went on the part of those present. The meeting was opened by a prayer after which Treasurer’s reports were given. Minutes of the meeting were read and preliminary parts of the meeting were dispensed with. The members had in their hands a copy of the agenda of the meeting which had been sent to them a few days previous. C2 began by saying to DYî "Well, DY, what is on your agenda for the evening?" DY replied: "This is not my agenda, this is your agenda and your meeting.-" C2 is president of the College Department and also president of all of the Youth work of the church, thus making him Presiding officer of the Youth Board. C2 is capable and a young man who has had a good degree of success and popularity thus far in life, having served as an officer in student government in High School and elected to Ephebian at the close, of his High School career. He has a pleasing personality and a great deal of leadership ability along with a fine speak ing voice and a command of his group. However, he has a ten dency toward sarcasm which tends to make certain of the young people feel a resentment toward him. On the whole, he is one of the best Youth leaders that can be found in the College department and.for this reason was elected for a second term as President of the CYF. He has a pleasant appearance, and at the present time is attending U.C.L.A. as a High Sophomore, majoring in Art. He also works as a commercial artist in a 25 store and makes a salary which ranks with many of the fellows his age v\?ho are working full time. It was the feeling of the observer that C2 did not have enough command of the meeting, and at times said too much as Chairman of the group, feeling that his place was rather to guide the discussion. The Treasurer’s reports were not adequate and some disapproval was expressed that they had not been secured far enough ahead of time to be complete. As the first item of business was brought into focus Cl arose to express her opinion upon it. Cl is one of the youth who is very capable and is preparing for work in Relig ious Education. Cl always has the meeting in mind before hand and a fairly good idea of what she believes should be done in regard to each item of business. Cl also has a way of unknow ingly antagonizing people so that most of the group take ^1 for granted and ignore hereas far as her attitudes toward.them or the Youth work are concerned. She is an excellent person of high character but has a great deal of domination, temper and sarcasm which displays itself to Cl’s disadvantage. ci has a great deal of executive ability and can carry through a piece of work in a very fine manner when it is assigned to her. As the meeting progressed the various members seemed to develop an attitude both of dependency on Cl and a feeling of inadequacy on their part, for Cl gave the impression of having everything all done before it had been discussed. The feeling 26 that Cl had too much to say seemed to be accepted on the part of each one present. An attitude of resentment grew step by step on the part of each individual v/ith each con secutive .opinion which was expressed by Cl. ViThen a question about the study committee came up in regard to its functions and things v/hich it might be doing in order to be more effective A1 had a great deal to say. A1 is a fine man of about forty years of age, who before the merger of the two churches had been the sponsor and teacher of the High School -department at the Wilshire boule vard Christian Church. He is a church officer sent by the Board to represent the young people and to act as a go-be tween from the Youth to the Board. He has a boy of High School age and a daughter of Junior High Age. Neither of these are particularly active in the Youth groups. His in terest and his attitude toward the Youth are coupled with a spirit of understanding and helpfulness, which makes him an ideal person for this task. It is true at times that he does say more than an adviser should. However, what he does say is usually in line with the best that is knovnin Education, Psychology and Sociology. All of the Youth hold a high re gard for him and appreciate what he does in their behalf. Therefore, the amount of talking which he did do was taken in a good spirit and heeded by the Youth. SHI is probably the most outstanding person in the whole Youth Department. He is just sixteen but has a wonderful per- 27 sonality and intellect vjhich place him far above most of the others of his group. He is a star athlete, . never gets less than "A" in his studies and is at the church almost everytime the door is opened. HSl has a fine spirit of help fulness and understanding and is the one who usually acts as mediator and arbitrator in all disputes which arise. His ad vice and his opinion on anything which the Youth are doing is usually well thought out and planned and every Youth in the church holds him in high regard. SH2 is a new discovery from the High School Department. He has recently been elected their President and is showing a great deal of executive ability. He is quiet, reserved and studious. He is short of stature but has a pleasant face. His whole attitude is one of service. C3 is a fine looking, very wholesome young man and the President of the Christian Endeavor group. He has an insat iable desire for knowledge in a wide range of subjects. He keeps his actions on a high level and has many characteristics of a country boy. He is quiet but humorous. His ideas are usually well thought out and the door is always open to suggestions. C4 is rather a large girl with a v/onderful spirit. She is always willing to serve in whatever capacity she can and al ways gets her work done neatly and with dispatch. Her per sonality is pleasant and her understanding and ideals are of 28 the highest. More interest needs to be shown in her in terms of fellowship and companionship. A2 was sponsor of the High School Department but has now taken over the Junior High Division with which she has had more experience. She has done a fine piece of work and has been dependable in being present at all functions which the High School group has held. She has two daughters of her own, one of High School Age and one of College Age, both of them leaders in their departments. She had aided the youth tremendously in the planning of programs and in supervision of their social activities. A3 is a young man who has recently decided to go into the Ministry. He is attending Chapman College and has do nated his time for the past eight months in helping in the Junior High Department as their sponsor. He has recently gone to another church where he will have more opportunity for ser vice and development. He has grown tremendously since he has come and although lacking in education he makes up for it in industry and initiative. Under his guidance this depart ment has gone forward. JHl is the President of the Junior High group and is beginning to develop into a young woman, ^he is always help ful and ready to aid in whatever way she can. She will gradu ate into the High School group in June. This in general has served as a background for the meet- 29 ing and what took place. It is necessary to see the people in order to be able to understand what was done and how it was done. Three disputes arose, one in regard to Christian Endeavor, one in regard to a planning conference which was help in September of 1940 and the other in regard to repre sentation upon the Youth Board. A Christian Endeavor Conven tion was to occur upon the last weekend of the month. The last Sunday night of the month has been designated as the night on which the Youth plan the whole church service. The Christian Endeavor Convention, unlike most Conventions, was to last over into Sunday evening. A discussion, therefore, arose in regard as to what was their duty, whether to go to the Convention or to support their own church service. C2, who was chairman of the meeting said : **I, for one, am going to support the Christian Endeavor Convention.'* Cl said that our duty was to our own church. HSl, "®hy can't we do both?" The discussion then continued as to whether they should take part in their church service and fulfill their obligation which they had taken at the beginning of the year or whether they should relinquish this in favor of the Convention. At this point DY arose and let it be known, rather forcefully, that there was no Other organization which in planning a weekend conference carried them past Sunday afternoon, and that twenty of the Wilshire Youth would not be missed at the "-Convention, but they would most certainly be missed at our own church. It is 30 not often that must express himself to such an extent. However, it was soon decided by the group that they should en courage all of the others to support their own church service. It is quite possible that attitudes were somewhat stifled and pent-up because of the way in which DY expressed himself. This probably was not wise for it is certain that some anger was present, although not to a great extent. It does point, how ever, to the fact that there is still a loyalty which exists to an organization outside of the church which should be con tributing to the growth of the church. his has been built up over a series of years by all of the Christian Endeavor Activities and by the Pastor of the Wilshire boulevard Christ ian Church, and therefore it is a loyalty which will take some time and education to redirect. The planning conference which had been held in September of 1940 had been held for the outgoing officers at One Thousand Fines Camp in the San Bernardino Mountains. The officers had planned a program for the year working out in committees what should be done and the means for carrying it through. %on returning to the church new officers were elected. The plans which were made were never published until recently and most of them, as yet, have been left untouched. The controversy which arose was whether this* should be repeated in September, 1941, or whether at this conference should not the officers who would continue in office have a planning retreat in which 31 they would be able to decide what they wished to do and then be able to carry those things through to completion. Cl thought that the retreat had not been a failure for she said: "Many of those who were at the Retreat were new officers or committee members." However, in many cases they had not been put on committees for which they had planned, therefore, the effectiveness of the suggestions were lost. 04 said that it had not been the best way to do it and 02 was inclined to agree with her. HSl, HS2, Al, A2 and JHl agreed that it was probably not as effective as it might have been had the new officers been present. Cl continued to maintain that it had but seemed to have no means of proving this, and as an attitude of resentment and opposition was beginning to grow against her for the amount of time she was taking in the meeting and in the various items of business, her plea had little or no effect. DY suggested that it might be better if all of the past officers who could go, be allowed to go and that all of the new officers be asked. The feeling on the part of all the group was that there probably would not be more who could go than would be needed. G4 suggested that when each group met in committee that its members be put upon that committee when they returned so that they might be able to carry out the sug gestions that they had made. This was finally decided upon. Cl arose again this time to "J^ring up a little matter 32 which is important to this group. I don’t want to complain,— but if the Youth Choir, the Phalanx and the Christian Endeavor are to be represented on the Board, I don’t see v;hy the Boror- ity cannot have a representative!" DY asked the question: "’ ^hy do you believe the Sorority should have representation on the Board, Is there anyone in your Sorority, at the present time who is not being served and represented in one of the other groups?" "Well no, probably not," ^1 replied, "but is there anyone in these other groups who is not represented in the groups on the Board?" "Yes, there are,^ answered HSl, "for some people who belong to these other groups have no association with other parts of the Youth Program and therefore they serve as a means of bringing new people into the Fellowship. " -^his led to a discussion of the criterion by which representation on the Board should be judged. It was finally decided that the other organizations were recruiting new members and therefore were entitled to representation while the Sorority was inviting into membership, girls from the present Youth groups and re cruiting no outsiders. This seemed to satisfy the group and they agreed that, all organizations which were soliciting new members should haye representation upon the Youth Board. The foregoing discussion of the meeting in some of its phases brings up many of the problems which are met in any group in terms of conflict and decision. The public opinion process was carried on in all three of these decisions and can be 33 traced directly through the interchange of ideas which were voiced from the various participants. Opinions were involved which had not been present before the meeting. New attitudes were planted in regard to these questions as the interchange of ideas and personalities took place. The actions and opin ions which were shown on the part-of the DY, Cl, 02 and HSl undoubtedly had a great effect upon the opinions and attitudes which were developed in the minds of the members present for these had carried the weight of the discussion and the things they expressed were taken to be evidence of their true attitudes. Conflict has been described by Bogardus as: "The inter- ■ 4 change of persons who express contradictory attitudes." '^he public opinion process involves the interaction of conflicting attitudes and opinions to arrive at a new opinion which may result in new attitudes. Since an opinion is an expressed be lief it may not have an effect upon the person who expresses it, but it may have an effect upon the person who hears it, for he may take it to be the expression of a true attitude. Therefore, the importance of an opinion is that in its express ion, it may influence others to change their attitudes. An attitude, although constantly changing is'more stable than an opinion and signifies a tendency to. act toward a given value. Attitudes change more slowly and are less easily revealed ♦ 4 Emory S. Bogardus, Contemporary Sociology. (Los Ange les; The University of Southern California Press, I93I), p. 26O. Opinions may or may not be based upon true attitudes, there fore, in the conflict process which was involved, persons who expressed contradictory opinions and attitudes brought about new attitudes and opinions on the part of others in the group. 'This, in the main, is the way in which all opinions and attitudes develop,— through a conflict process which involves an interac tion of contradictory attitudes and opinions. An attitude plus a value makes for a new attitude while a value plus an attitude may made for a new value. These are fundamental concepts in which sociology is mainly concerned and therefore, this further description of "the process at work has been given as a means to show how these have gone in a specific group. Another function of the Youth Board is to provide leader ship training. Leadership courses should be included as a part of the regular study program of the Fellowship. These may be conducted during the week or on Sunday afternoon or as a part of the Sunday morning study program. When such classes are conducted at regular church school hour, leaders and potential leaders ^ attend them rather than their regular study classes.^ The Board took action on this, and for the month of May instituted a Church Arts Class, which takes six people from each of the three age groups to study with the Youth Director during the morn ing study hour. This class gives guidance in scripture read ing, construction of prayers, preparing a service for group Gener'al Manual (The Christian Youth Fellowship Manuals. St. Louis: Christian Board of Publication, 1939p. 55» 15 worship, carrying on of discussion periods, and so forth*. Definite assignments are given out each Sunday, so that after an intensive period of four sessions training, these Youth will be able to go back to their departments able to help in the work .there- more effectively. If thia;study group is suc cessful, it is planned to make it a regular affair, for say, one month out of each quarter, to train the Young People for church leadership. The Youth Executive. The duties of these young people are outlined as follows. The work of the President: 1. To preside over all business meetings of the Christian Youth Fellowship. 2. To preside over all meetings of the Executiye Committee. 3. ■ ‘ •o call special meetings of the Executive Com mittee in addition to the regular meetings, when they are needed. 4. To notify the committee chairmen and members after they have been selected by the Executive Com mittee . 5. To counsel with committee chairmen concerning their work. The president will of course be an ex officio member of all committees. 6. To confer with the adviser conerning the work of the -Executive Committee♦ 7. To work out, before each meeting, an out line of the various matter which should be consider ed in the meeting, checking with various individuals to see that proper reports and presentations will be ready.o The work of the Vice President; 6 Ibid^T p. 27. 1. To serve in the place of the president in case he is unable to serve. 2. To counselv/with the president upon request concern:mg the program. 3. To carry such additional responsibilities as the president or the Executive Committee may assign to him.? The work of ' tlie Secretary: 1. To keep minutes of all meetings of the Exe cutive Committee. 2. To send out notices of all mëôMngs. td - those who should attend. 3. To carry on all necessary correspondence. 4. To serve as a member of the Personnel Com mittee, perhaps as Chairman. 5. To refer to the chairman of the national Young People's Committee of the Division of Edu cation" of the United Christian Missionary Society and also to the Area Director of Religious Edu cation and Secretary of Missionary Organizations- Education the names and addresses of the officers of the Fellowship and the adviser. 6. Tq make out quarterly reports of missionary activities and send to the statensecretary of Mis sionary Organizations-Education. The ^*^ork of the Treasurer: 1. To serve as a member of any special com mittee on budget and finance, if such is appointed. He may serve as chairman of such a committee if the Executive Committee thinks this desirable. 2. To take the initiative, in cooperation with the Executive Committee or any special committee which may be appointed by it, in securing the neces sary funds for carrying forward the program. It is understood of course that any plans for secur ing funds will be of such a nature as not to con flict with the financial program of the church. 3. To receive and place in safe keeping all funds. 4. To pay all bills and make all necessary dis bursements including the payment of church and miss* 7 Ibid., p. 2 7. 8 Ibid., p. 28. 37 ionary pledges after such disbursements have been authorized by the Executive Committee. 5. Tq keep a record of all receipts and disburse ments. 6. Tq keep a record of pledges and send out fi nancial statements at least once a quarter if spe cial pledges are taken for the support of the young people.9 This is the plan the Wilshire CYF try to follow, how ever, in some places, functions which are mentioned are not necessary to this group, others will have to come as a pro cess of development. The duties are outlined for the ideal set-up and are all inclusive. In the main, and as far as the needs of the groups at. Wilshire require it, they adhere to the duties herein set forth. The Committees. The committees are set up in order to administer to all the needs of all the Youth, with a minimum of over lapping and maximum of cooperation. The Study Committee. The work of this committee can be listed in A. B. C. order. A. This committee should plan the instruction and study program of the group and relate it to the worship activities or experiences which the group has, such as relating the study in a Sunday evening group to the worship service for such a meeting. This may be done by having some joint meetings of the Study Uoininittee and Worship Committee. B. The committee should plan to use.a variety of special methods in its programs, such as drama, panel discussions, forums, use of motion pictures and slides, 9 Ibid.. p. 28 38 lectures and general discussion. C. The committee should plan to cover many in terests and religious needs of young people during the year: personal religious life, Bible Study, breaking down radial barriers, world peace, plan ning constructive leisure-time activities, missions, and many others. The committee should know the vital interests and religious needs of Young People In order to find the needs of the Young People, inter est finder tests can be given. L. L. Thurstone and E. J. Chave of the University of Chicago, haye developed religious tests and grouped them together in a bound Volume, Measure Religion. Also A Program Guide for Christian Youth, which will be sent free on request to the Christian Board of Pub3 lication, St. Louis, Missouri, contains an excellent inter est finder to be used by the group. The experiences of youth have sometimes been broken down into eleven areas of activity, as fol lows: (I) health activities ; (2) educational activ ities; (3) economic activities; (4) vocational pre paration; (5) citizenship; (6) recreation; (7) sex, parenthood, and family life; (8) general group life ; (9) friendship; (10) esthetic interest; (11) spec ialized religious activities. These are the areas in which an individual lives. To be aware of these will help the Study Committee to have perspective and inclusiveness in its planning. The committee should know what the church seeks to accomplish through Christian education. A state ment of objectives has been made by the International Council of Religious Education. This statement includes the following seven items. 10 Study Manual (The Christian “ Youth Fellowship Manuals. St. Louis; Christian ^ard of Publication, 1940), p. 17. 39 1. A consciousness of ^od and a sense of person al relationship to him. 2. An understanding and appreciation of Jesus’ life and teachings that lead.to the experience of him as Savior and Lord in all phases of daily life and conduct. 3. A progressive development of Uhristlike character, 4. Participation in building a Christian world. ' 5. Participation in the work of the church. 6. A Christian interpretation of life, and the ability to see God’s purpose and plan in the uni verse . 7* An understanding of the Bible as the major source of religious experience of the race and as a guide for present experience. The committee should be familiar with the ob jectives and work of the United Christian Youth Movement. The committee should be aware of special days and events. The committee should outline a program of study and discussion. The study manual includes many other plans and techni ques which are not necessary here, but may be found in the Manual itself. The Worship Committee. At the present time this com mittee has less to do than it should have. In the College group, its duties consist largely of arranging the room for worship, and preparing the opening exercises before, the ..class period. In addition to this the group prepares the Church service for the last Sunday night of each month. In the High School department, it prepares the morning devotional and 11 Ibid.. pp. 18-20. 40 works with the Study Committee the second Sunday of each month to prepare the whole study hour for worship and educa tion, in place of a class period. In the Junior High depart ment, it helps the superintendent in planning and carrying out the program each Sunday morning before the group breaks up for its separate classes. In the Worship Manual, its duties are outlined as: 1. To discover and plan to meet the worship needs of all the youth within the Fellowship. 2. To plan a program of worship activities that will deepen the group worship of the Fellowship and develop an appreciation for worship. 3. To plan a program that will deepen private devotions and awaken all of the young people to the values of the devotional life. 4. To plan a program that will make possible fellowship with God in the study, service, and soc ial action, and fellowship activities of the Fel lowship. In addition to this all phases of the Worship program are covered as to techniques, plans, make-up of committee, place of adults, means of finance, materials, equipment and so forth. The Personnel Gommittee. The work of this committee consists of caring for the membership and carrying on pub licity, and promotion. The duties are given as: 1. Enlistment of new members. 12 Worship Manual (The Christian Youth fellowship Man uals. St. Louis: Christian Board of Publication, I94O), p. I8. 41 2. Winning of members of the Fellowship and other young people to the Christian Life, and coop erating with the pastor in the evangelistic program of the church. 3. Getting in touch with members who are absent, urging them to attend. 4. Providing for visitation of members who are ill. 5. Keeping adequate records of attendance and development of members. 6. Promoting the regular attendance of members, and all others who should attend, at the various activities of the group and of the church. 7. Providing notices concerning group activities for the church bulletin, local, state and national papers. 8. Providing posters, notices to classes, and similar publicity concerning ^'ellowship activities, and carrying on any other promotion and publicity, needed. 9. Reporting all major activities to the na tional Young People *s Gammittee of the Division of Christian -Education and to young people's papers, such as the Front Rank." * " 3 This committee nor its activity is up to standard in any of the CYF groups as now being carried out at the Wilshire Ghristian Church, this is one place where a decided improve ment is necessary to the development of the group. The Recreation and Social Life Gommittee. The CYF at the Wilshire Ghurch feels this to be one of the most vital com mittees. Its program as outlined*in the General Manual follows: 1. Studying the recreation and social life needs of the members of the. group in the light of the total recreation and social life program of the community. A church program should be largely determined by the sort of thing which is provided by the local commun 13 General Manual ( • ’ •he Ghristian Youth Fellov/ship Manuals. St. Louis: Ghristian Board of Publication, 1939)j P* 30# 42 ity. The church should not duplicate that which is done adequately by other community agencies, but it should seek to make available a wholesome and Christ ian recreation and social life program if such is not available. 2. Building a recreation and social life program, recommending the same to the Executive Committee. 3. Seeing that the various activities of the re creation and social life program are carried foi^vard. 4. Re commending to the Executive Committee that they secure the necessary recreation and social life equipment. 5. Seeing that adequate attention is given in the study program to a consideration of the place of recreation and social life activities in the life of an individual, to aid the members in planning ade quate recreation and social life programs for them selves .14 At the present time the duties as they are being carried out by this committee are as follows: (1) the members are attend* ing a recreation school to prepare themselves; (2) they have ordered new materials, i.e. Handies I and II; (3) they take charge of all social activities, as parties and play nights, which they plan and carry through; and (4) they have procured new equipment; a shuffleboard, three table polo sets, one dozen ping pong paddles, a new basketball and volleyball, a volleyball net, two basketball goal nets, and in addition to this have on hand; four ping pong tables, a set of badminton for two people, one carrom board and two Chinese Checker sets, a basketball, two volleyballs and a volleyball net. The com mittee is well supplied with equipment and materials and it remains to be seen v^hat they can do, they have the best facili- 14 IbidT, p. 31. 43 ties of any of the committees. The Service and Bocial Action Gommittee. This com mittee is one which the CYF has not been able to develop to any great extent. It is my feeling that this phase of the Church has been neglected so much that the Church leaders have put this committee into the program. The difficulty asZI see it, is that we have designated a committee which the members are not educated to, and are therefore unprepared for it. Spe cific projects in this field are hard to find aside from Miss ionary giving, but realizing the need of it, perhaps we can begin to educate for it, so that in a year or two this com mittee can be carrying on a worthwhile program. It is quite possible that the Youth Director should devote a special amount of time and study to this to help to strengthen it. The church itself has a very active committee, of this type. Duties as outlined by the Manual are: 1. Reviewing the study and discussion program of the group, with a view to discovering service and so cial action projects which might naturally grow out of this program. 2. Discovering possible avenues of service and social action, including those in the immediate com munity, as well as wider areas of life. Attention should be given to different types of missionary service. ' 3# Building a service program growing out of the study and discussion program and based upon the oppor tunity for service-which have been discovered, re commending the same to the -Executive Gommittee. 4. Carrying forward the service and social action projects approved by the committee. 5. or king for the inclusion in the program of 44 such activities and studies as. will ciieate a desire for participation in service and missionary activ ities. ^ These are general things to be done and not specific. iAfhen the Manual is published, it will probably give more help in specific lines of endeavor. Short Term and Special Interest Committee. These are any committees which might be needed temporarily for a short period. At the present time we have a Conference Committee which is to select those who are to go to the various summer conferences for leadership training, there is also a retreat committee, arranging for a weekend planning period early in September to plan the work for the next year. The committees are set up to fulfill a need and when their project has been carried out, they automatically dissolve. This chapter has been a lengthy/one ^,buttit was necessary in order to show the relationships and the machinery involved in the CYF. Although the plan is on a program basis, it does take a good deal of organization to carry it through effectively With this section much of the background is complete and we can launch into things that have happened and are happening. IS Ibid.. p. 31. CHAPTER V PROBLEMS MET IN THE FORMATION OF THE FELLOWSHIP BY THE WILSHIRE CHURCH YOUNG PEOPLE The problems herein set forth are those which may not seem important to the layman, but in the results of the question naire which was given to the groups, evidences of their far- reaching importance is clearly shown. Many of these prob lems have been partially solved, however evidences point to the fact that some are still with us. In treating these pro blems an objective approach must be taken. The first problem is incident to this church only, the last two are problems v^hich will arise wherever a Fellowship is introduced, because it is something Comparatively new to all church people. In discussing this matter with the Methodists and bap tist leaders, it was discovered that these church groups are putting into effect the same type of a unified and correlated plan this summer. The Presbyterians are in; a process of de velopment along the .same general lines, having set up a uni fied plan of program building last fall. Many of our problems are similar to those the Presbyterians will meet, for they are troubled v;ith the same outside organizations that cannot be correlated without some difficulty. These problems will be treated in;a progressive order, according to the time that each appeared. 4é Problem of a Union of Two Churches. The First Christ ian Church had been in existence since before the turn of the Century. It was an old and well established church, and probably the best known to other parts of the country. The problem here was largely a problem of groups and group ad justment. Accommodation, which is a process of getting along together in the face of difference and conflict, is one which enters in here to a large extent. Two groups which were dissimilar have had to unite on a basis of accommodation in order that the merger might be successful. This has brought about adjustments as to ways of doing things, such as, the raising of money, the system of giving, the order of the Wor ship Service and deep-seated attitudes which have had to be modified in order that understanding and cooperation would result. The groups of the two churches were, therefore, pri marily concerned in this problem of accommodation and cooper ation in order to bring about the dissolution of conflict and a unity of purpose. About seven years ago the Magnolia Christian Church united with First ^hurch to form a fine larger church, sell ing the Magnolia property and retaining the First Church facil ities on Eleventh and Hope Streets. This merger had been fair ly successful and well amalgamated at the time First Church accepted the invitation of the Wilshire boulevard Christian Church to unite on the latter*s property. 4ÿ In the fall of 1939? the pastor of the First Church asked that a Director of Youth Activities be employed for the Young People of the church were not united and had too much adult leadership. Bryan Shelton, a student in the Graduate School of Religion at the University of Southern California was secured, Mr. Shelton turned the tide in favor of the Youth and their development, and the Young People began to organize and to do things for themselves. It was here that the CYF pro gram was first started. Dr. Taylor, acting dean of the Grad uate School of Religion, was actively.concerned in this tset-up, consulting and advising Mr. Shelton in the best interests of the Youth, what should be done. He has continued this guid ance and help with the present director whenever consulted. The Youth Director had the task of weaning the Young People away from the domination of some of the adults who had pretty largely taken over the control of the groups. This he did to a certain extent, helping these young people to see their duties to themselves in terms of training to be future leaders in the church. The program was just beginning to function when the' two churches decided to merge. The «Vils hi re Boulevard UJiristian Church has an excel lent location and building, which is adequate to house both congregations. The Pastor had resigned to go into evangelis tic work, and so the invitation was extended to the First 48 Church to unite its congregation with that of Wilshire Boulevard Christian. The Wilshire Church had had quite a different back ground than that of the First Church. Because of a large debt, they had to give a great share of their income to themselves, leaving less to Missions, First Church had been strong on Missions and had given more proportionately to United Missions, while the Wilshire Church had put a large share of their income into benevolences. The Young People in the First Church had cooperated more extensively with denominational and interdenominational projects than the Wilshire Boulevard group which to a greater extent was living within itself and building up its program. There was no organized Youth work to correlate the different departments, nor a paid director. Adults had also done a great deal of the thinking and carrying out of plans in this group, an effect which has not yet been overcome, as the questionnaire reveals. Two people quite openly made the state ment that more adult leadership was needed and that there v/ere too many *^kid leaders.**’ ^ The time was ripe for a plan such as the CYF to come into the situation and organize it to keep the two groups from inevitable clashes which would have followed if separate or ganizations had been maintained, Mr. Shelton performed a 1 Cf. post. Discussion of Questionnaire results Chapter VI, question number I3. 49 great service in merging the Young People when he saw the need for a correlated and unified program and instituted the CYF. In this way, none of the previous organizations were replaced but all were correlated toward the same objectives and aims. It was necessary to get the sanction of both of the Youth groups in order to carry out such a plan. This was done. They then set to work to organize on a functional basis, and began the plan which is found diagrammed on page six. It meant a good deal of work on the part of the Young People but summer was on its way and some of the groups met every week, sometimes two and three times, in order to get the program into working order. A planning retreat was held in September with all officers of the three departments of Young People. They discussed and brought back valuable sug gestions for the work. New officers were elected and conse quently many of the suggestions were left untouched even until now. The problem is one which in some respects.would face any two churches in trying to unite, however, in this case the two congregations were not of a like make up. The Wilshire Boulevard Christian Church Youth had been used to an easy going type of activity which required an exertion only in carrying through the ideas of some adult. They were not troubled by feeling of compulsion to cooperate with any outside organi zations. Although they had a Christian Endeavor Society, it y - ' 50 was not actively concerned with other of its groups in this area, and had even failed to send in the name of the officers to the central office. Brotherhood cooperation was not pressed upon them and they gave little support to the denominational program. Missionary activity in the sense of giving to united missionary action was not encouraged nor practiced. They did, however, subscribe a portion of their funds toward the church building fund. As far as their own church was concerned they cooperated v;ell but were isolated to a certain extent from outside activities involving other Youth agencies. The First Church, on the other hand, had its Youth in all sorts of outside activity. The Y.M.C.A, had an active Pha lanx Society which cooperated to the fullest extent with all of its program. The Christian Endeavor had active groups within the church which were concerned in terms of leadership, projects and cooperation. All of the groups cooperated to the fullest extent with the denominational activities, supporting Missions, projects and all types of fellowship. This tended to make the youth more interested in doing something for their community and promoted a fellowship with other Christians in various fields of endeavor. On the other hand, their coopera tion with their own local church was just as great as the Wil shire Boulevard Young People. In bringing together two groups who had been accustomed to different types of organizations and programs, with interests 51 which were different in many phases, it was necessary that they organize on a basis of goodwill. The CYF program offered that basis and from results of the questionnaire seem to in dicate that it has done a great deal in welding together the two groups. On question 2 of a questionnaire v/hich was given to fifty representative people of the youth and adult groups these answers were obtained.^ The question was: '♦Has it (CgfF) been successful in correlating and integrating the youth activities? 49 per cent said, 'Tartly", 44 per cent, "Very much", while 7 per cent said, "Completely". This shows that 93 per cent of the persons answering felt that the CYF program had, at least, partly helped in the process of amal gamating these two groups. This has been done through combined classes, inter-age activities and recognition of the Youth on the part of the church through giving them tasks which they were to perform. In playing together and working together the com petitive spirit has broken down and become one of cooperation. Age Youth Conflict. It is not possible in thinking of terms of youth work to exclude the effect of the adults, and so we find that certain adults were prominent both in helping the plan and in hindering it. Some of the adults who had a primary interest in Christian Endeavor were not able to fit that organization into a total program for youth, and thereby influenced many of the youth in like manner. In another sense. 52 AGE DISTRIBUTION OF THOSE ANSWERING THE QUESTIONNAIRE 9 8 7 6 5 4 3 2 1 0 Number Answer ing Ages FIGURE 3 53 the adults likewise dominated in that they thought that the youth could not get along unless they told them what they should be doing. This tended to build up a dependency on the part of the youth which has hindered their present group development. The- CYF program has tried to encourage the adults to help the youth to help themselves rather than to help them outright. Although this plan has met with some opposition, many of the adults are beginning to see the effects of correlation in the lives of the youth in terms of better trained leaders for the church in projects which the youth carry out, and in cooperation which they give to all church activity. An age youth conflict has been in the background in both of the churches. It has been a case of the adults tell ing the Youth what they could or could not do and the youth having only to carry out those plans. When Mr. Shelton came to First Church he began to do away with this conflict which existed by getting the youth to meet and discuss their own problems and formulate their own aims, ««ith this as a basis, he began to urge the youth to do something about the things which they had set down that they wished to accomplish. They began to plan their ovm programs; not only that, but they asked that they might be privileged to plan programs for the whole church. A spirit of Independence or self-dependency was built up. This tended to make the youth more self-reliant and to 54 wean them away from the adult influence. The adults in turn v/ere asked to sit in on the discussion groups but to remain as observers unless asked for advice. This they did, and be gan to see that the youth were capable of planning their own course of action in all of the various phases, and that when given the opportunity they were able to develop leaders within their ovm groups, who were not only able to carry out orders but also to formulate those orders. As the adults saw this process developing they realized that their influence would need to be more that of advice and guidance. That this pro gram had led to a greater understanding and cooperation between the youth and the adults than had existed before the CYF pro gram was introduced has been shown by the answers received to question 7 on the questionnaire.3 it reads, ♦♦dq the older mem bers of the church try to help the youth and to understand them?" 33 per cent definitely said: "Yes", while 60 per cent said: "Not as much as they might," only 7 per cent answered in the nega tive. This would indicate that 93 per cent of those answering believed that the older members of the church did try to under stand and help the youth to an extent. This was a multiple- choice question, and on this question the three choices which have been mentioned were given as possibilities. The phrase, 3 Cf. Fbstv; pp.182 Iff.. . 55 "Not as much as they might" was probably a misleading question, and therefore bad, for this phrase could be applied to almost anything, for nothing is perfect. However, the fact that 93 per cent felt that these older members of the church were striving;to help and understand the youth would, indicate that they are doing a. great deal for them and that the conflict that once existed is being modified if not totaly eradicated. In general, this problem of the youth of two churches has been largely a matter of setting up a program which will meet all of the needs of all of the youth. The program, itself, has shown by the questionnaire that it is set up to carry out that sort of activity. However, it has failed to function as yet in some areas. In uniting groups of different interest it is always hard to decide what the common ground shall be. The Youth themselves realized that if they were going to achieve, they would have to cooperate and their spirit of cooperation has done much to unite both groups toward achieving the same goal. Problems of Conflict and Accommodation Arising T'rom The Plan. This problem, indirectly, is related to the foregoing one, however, it has been true that in both of the groups, con flicts have arisen. This problem is one of both groups and individuals for although groups have been involved a few indivi duals have been in the background and have directed the opposi tion. Certain organizations which had a youth membership felt 56 that they were not able to find their place in a correlated program. The groups which have had the most difficulty in seeing this have been the Phalanx and the Christian Endeavor. It is hard to s eparate group conflicts from individual con flicts for many of the former are directly caused by the latter. There are, perhaps, four or five people in both, the High; School group and the College group who have not, as yet, been able to organize and correlate in their minds the idea that the CYF endeavors to set up a program which will.admini ster to all of the needs of all of the youth. Organization is a supplementary part of this program and necessary to its exis tence and even though it is minimized as much as possible a greah deal of red tape is involved, i'his, in the main, has been one of the chief difficulties and one of the chief com plaints which the Youth have voiced against it. Replying to the question, "«%at are the weak points of the program?" (Question 11), 30 per cent regard the over emphasis on organization as the chief weakness. Those v/ho have been able to see the correlation realize that Christian ^ndeavor is an activity which is carried on only in the evening and that Church ^chool is an organization which only functions in the morning. The Phalanx group, on the other hand, carries their program on during the week. It was, therefore necessary to plan an inclusive program to bring in all of these organizations so that they might plan for the youth throughout every 57 activity of the week, so that everything which the youth would do could come under one heading and could be considered a work of the whole. In question number J, all of the groups, which are included in the CYF are listed and the fifty adults and youth of the church who were given the questionnaire were asked to evaluate these groups in terms of cooperation with the CYF program. The percentages of those who thought that the various groups named had not entered into this program are as follows: Phalanx, 20 per cent; Youth Choir, 6 per cent; Teachers, 20 per cent; Sponsors, 6 per cent; Adults, 14 per cent; Christian Endeavor, 8 per cent; the Sorority, 8 per cent; Junior High Class, 24 per cent; High School '^lass> 14 per cent and the College class, 6 per cent, -^his would seem to indicate that 75 per cent of the CYF group feel that all of the organi zations have entered into the program in a cooperative manner, while 25 per cent would maintain that they did not. The latter is not a great percentage but it is too significant to be over looked. In comparing results from the different age groups it was found that the College Department was more critidal of all the organizations in general, while the High School Department was more prone to criticize themselves and the younger group. This would tend to show many of the group and individual conflicts which had existed were beginning to disappear. How 58 ever, we cannot say that it is complete for there are still two or three individuals who are actively opposed to the pro gram as now being carried on and to the aims which it ulti mately hopes to achieve. For example, in one of the youth groups we have four or five individuals who carry on most of the disharmony that exists. Concessions have been made con tinually to them in order that they might continue to come and take part, for even though at times they upset plans, they are excellent workers and take an active interest in what is going on. Many of the College group have sought, at times, . to eliminate this controversial element, however, it is very likely that an elimination of this group could lead to a blind acceptance on the part of the others who are much more in favor of the program as it now exists. These people, although ad vocating the overthrow of the program, have an understanding and a love and good will which in many ways surpasses that of the group who so actively cooperate in all of the activities proposed. In solving this problem the main technique which has be01 involved is to give the troublesome members some definite task to perform which is of definite value both to the group and to the individual. Everyone of them is a leader in his own right and when approached v;ith a sincere request that they give aid to some phases of the youth program they respond in a magnificient way and get whatever is needed, done quickly and 59 well. They are agitators so long as they do not have a definite part in what is going on. Not one of them so far has left the group but all continue to loyally support it. There have been no splits in the original group which came together in the merger. Twice they have contemplated leaving to go to another church but each time something has happened which has given them a sense of responsibility and a new feeling of importance in the group. One time, when one of the members heard that they were considering a split, he went to them and told they that they were needed and this was the time for them to use their leadership in doing something de finite to help the youth program. Upon another occasion just as they were about to leave two or three of the main ones were given important offices in the CYF program which encouraged them to stay and to try their hand in solving the difficul ties. Thus by appealing to a basic wish for recognition the groups have been kept intact as conflict has been dissolved and the accommodation process has set in. In one of the other groups, there is one particularly strong and very intelligent individual, we shall call "A", who leads many of the group. The evidences of "A*s" work can be seen in the confused way in which many members of that group gave answers to.questions put to them. Although "A" is well informed and is an excellent leader, he is working against the very cause which he is trying to promote in failing to recognize 6o or take part in many of the activities which are carried on, encouraging others to do likewise. There are two possibili ties of solving this; one is that the individual may go away to college; the other that he will see the program and what it is trying to accomplish in the terms of the whole group and strive in every way which he knows to cooperate to the fullest extent in bringing about those things which he sin cerely desires to have happen in changed attitudes and actions. "A" is a young person who has had a great deal of success for his age. Although he is just l8, for the past four years he has held many positions of leadership in both Christian Endea vor and in the Brotherhood Summer Conferences, which have led to a high leadership development. %h his High School he has secured a great deal of recognition also, and is well thought of by his teachers. In September of 1940 he decided that hav ing just one semester of work in order to complete his High School Career, he would stay out and remain at a job which he had secured during the summer. This he did. In February of 1941 the job opened up new possibilities and he decided to stay and to try to graduate by going to night school five nights a week and finishing up in Summer School what, he was not able to accomplish in the evening sessions. He has high ambitions and it is his desire as well as that of his parents that he go on to college in preparation for the ministry. The minister of the church has v;orked out many contacts with different colleges for 6l him, looking tov/ard his entrance into a University in the fall of 1941, He has had a fine background in certain phases of church work, in Christian Endeavor and Young People’s Bum mer Conferences, and at present is an officer in his division of Christian Endeavor, He is very active in the Christian Endeavor and therefore is much influenced by it. Coming from a very fundamental background which believes in personal sal vation and that the church has very little to do with changing society, it has been difficult for him to see the relationship between what the CYF is trying to do and the function of the Christian Endeavor program. He thinks it is a duplication, how ever, the CYF plans for the v/hole life of the individual while Christian Endeavor plans for only one phase. A conflict has existed within his own mind which has led him to carry on an open competition with the CYF program. Competition is defined as: "Moving toward ends which are non-shareable and incompati ble".^ This, he believes, is what is happening in the two groups On his questionnaire he writes this statement: "1 think it was a poor move to go out of Christian Endeavor. We can’t have Christ ian Endeavor and CYF at the same time and have either of them strong". His feeling in the matter is that a definite competi tion exists and that although the two programs are not going in opposite directions they certainly are not going in the same 4 From the Class, Introduction to Sociology, under Dr. Clarence Uase in the IMiversity of Southern California in the Fall of 1940, 62 direction. This competition has been brought about in his mind largely because on some occasions where Christian En deavor conflicted with activities which v/ere being carried on by the local group, wholehearted support has not been given in favor of Christian Endeavor. It has been the lack of education that has kept the CYF, in a large degree, from going forward, and the fact that many of the group still look at it as just another organiza tion which is trying to shut out their other interests. A misunderstanding of the program was shown in two or three of the questions which were put to the groups, as is shown by two of the answers received. One said, "What is the CYF?", while another said that she was not familiar with the CYF pro gram. In cases where this situation exists, it is the policy of some member of the Youth Department to . try, in some way, to talk to that person, and to show him what the CYF is trying to accomplish and to show him it is a program with which we are concerned and not a mere organization. For an organization is the means, changed lives are the ends, and the program is the tool by which the organization v/orks to bring about this result. This difficulty of group conflicts and individual conflicts has brought about a growth of the youth in terms of changed attitudes and actions in many cases. Conflict may bring about a temporary disarrangement in order that a growth 63 process might take place. Persons may disagree in their funda mental attitudes and actions before they arrive at a common ground for cooperation. In this process of conflict an inter action of contrary attitudes of people takes place which results in the changing of attitudes on the part of all those who are concerned. In answer to question 4, "Have you noticed any growth in changed attitudes or actions on the part of individ uals or groups of individuals?", the following answers were given: 30 per cent thought that "better understanding" had taken place; 22 per cent though "better sportsmanship" had come into play; 40 per cent thought the groups and individuals were "more cooperative"; 3^ per cent said they were "better socialized"; 36 per cent gave a "growth in friendliness"; 32 per cent thought the groups were "better trained in church work"; while 8 per cent thought the people were "less selfish" and 12 per cent that they were "less sarcasticThese results should reflect a change in attitudes for as Bogardus says: "Their attitudes are what they do"5 He says also, "Opinions are accessible....If opinion is regarded as an index of attitude, ...then attitudes gain a reflected objectivity and precision from the opinions which represent them.If we conclude, there- 5 Emory S. Bogardus, Contemporary Sociology. (Los Ange les: The University of Southern California Press, I93I), p. 177• 6 Ibid., p. 181. t - 64 fore that the results v/hich v/ere given in the questionnaire were opinions, they give a somewhat accurate index into the attitudes of the group as seen by members of that group. This question had many implications. Certain sociolog ical concepts may be used to describe v/hat occurred. Among them the term "socialization" is most descriptive of what is taking place. Socialization is a process whereby persons learn to act dependably together, but not necessarily a- like, in behalf of group unity and constructive change. In so doing they undergo intrinsic changes in nature which involve an increasing degree of self-control, social responsibility, and of person ality developmnet. It is a process whereby the mem bers of a group develop an increasing degree of co herent homogeneity of authority distributed to each, and of participation by each. It is a process where by the direction of group change moves toward the greater social values of a larger and more inclu sive social organization. Socialization is the assimilation process view ed in terms of objective social values. It involves first a large-minded working together, and second the creation of new and larger social values. It begins in psychology, traverses sociology, and ends in ethics.7 Socialization, therefore, is a process of becoming similar which involves a greater unity and greater organization which is brought about by means of conflict and cooperation. As the persons answering the questionnaire based their answers upon the actions of the individuals and groups as they observed them. 7 Ibid.. p. 288. 65 we, therefore, are justified in saying that attitudes have been changed on the basis that "attitudes are what they do", how they conduct themselves and the habits which they have. This indeed should speak highly for the program, for it is bringing about a change in group conduct which is a high con tribution for any program to make in the life of people. In interviewing adults who have watched the development it was . found that they also thought that the above had taken place. Problem regarding the amount of time involved in order to make it function smoothly. Any program in order to be effective must entail a certain amount of time. It is the feeling, however, on the part of the young people today that an undue amount of time is required to carry this through successfully. This is a problem of organization for it is inherent in the CYF program that a great amount of organiza tion is necessary in order to^carry on planned activities which will meet all the needs of all the youth. Question 11, pre viously referred to, asks for an appraisal of the weak points of the program. Of those answering, 22 per cent stated that it took too much time. This would tend to show either that the lives of the youth are so crowded with activities that they are unable to give more time to the church, or it might show that they are unwilling to give what time they have in order to see it function more smoothly and to carry out plans which they have made. In order to help correct this the CYF has 66 tried as much as possible to cut down on the number of meet ings to be heId. A plan is now under consideration which would have all committee meetings from 7 to 8 o’clock on Play Nights, at which time many of these people would be at the church and would thus avoid duplication. In some instances, the time involved has required certain members to be present at the church as many as five or six nights out of the week. This is hard to do and the Youth Board and the executives of each department have had a great deal of discussion on what should be done in order to decrease this amount. The problem of how much time the church should require of its Youth in the modern day and age is one which the church is having to solve. The group at the Wilshire Church is striving earnestly to find what the minimum amount of time required would be in order to carry on the maximum program. It is safe to say that the amount of time involved cannot be cut without sacrificing some parts of the program. Hov/ever, one of the solutions which was offered by many was that responsibility be more widely dis tributed among the various members, thus avoiding duplication in the number of meetings which any one person would have to attend. This is a good solution because it helps in bringing about a cooperation process and satisfies the wish for social recognition on the part of those who are given a task. It also aids in the accommodation process for it becomes necessary for the individuals involved to cooperate in order to play and to 67 carry out those things which they wish to do. It also will enable a greater amount of work to be done and yet-reduce the amount of time which has formerly been taken on the part of a few individuals. Therefore, actually more organization takes place, more people share in the responsibility, the time ele ment is cut to aminimum and a maximum program is possible. As can be seen now this will largely be the solution upon which the Youth board will agree, in order that: the program might be more effective; that more youth might be served; and that all of the needs of all the Youth might be met. Summary. The first problem which was taken up in this chapter was largely a problem of groups, involving a conflict between age and youth which has been partially solved by aid ing the youth in planning and carrying through their own pro gram and having the adults act merely in an advisory capacity. Thus, the youth became more self-dependent and the adults took more the attitude of helping the young people to help themselves Also, there was involved a conflict of attitudes and ways of doing things which has been solved largely by an accommodation process which has taken place on the part of the youth from both churches in order that they might carry on an effective program. As nearly as possible an equal number of persons from both churches were asked to help plan the new program and carry out the activities. In this way a cooperative spirit was 68 introduced which helped considerably in amalgamating both groups. The second problem was one of both groups and indivi duals for although groups led a conflict process into tak ing place, these were encouraged by a few individuals. The method used has served to bring about a dissipation of con flict, trying to get those who oppose the program to take part in its activities. In this way a fundamental wish for security has been built up as they feel themselves a part of the group and their wish for social recognition is satis fied, This brings about accommodation on their part and re sults in cooperation. The last problem which was cited was largely one of organization. The program, in order to be carried out, needed a mechanism with which to work and many of the CYF group com plained that too much time was involved in the machinery. It was, therefore, suggested to the Youth Board that responsibili ties and offices be distributed more equally upon the various members of the group. This was thought to be good because it v/ould bring about a better cooperation, it would enable a greater amount of work to be done and reduce the amount of time spent by a few of the individuals. COOTRIBUTIONS MADE BY THE CYF TO THE YOUTH WORK AND A . PRE- DICTION OF SUCCESS FOR THE FUTURE Some of the questionnaire results have been referred to in the previous chapter. However, it seemed wise to give full treatment to all questions at one place. Therefore, the first section of this chapter will treat the question naire and its findings in regard to the CYF program as used at the Wilshire '^hristian Church. Treatment of the questionnaire results. The Question naire was developed as a means of determining v/hat the pro gram of the CYF has accomplished in the opinion of those who have taken part in the program and had a close contact with its workings. In each of the following questions, excepting number 13; a histogram has been used to show the results of the an swers given in a graphic form, i'd flowing each figure will be a discussion of the results in terms of the situation. Ques tion 13 was a discussion question, and therefore, could not be put in a graphic form. However, excerpts from the answers received are quoted in regard to problems of sociological significance which they bring to light. 70 1. As you interpret the CYF program and its purposes would you say it is being successful? completely almost all not- at aIX partly 100 90 80 70 6o 50 40 30 20 10 0 HISTOGRAM OF RESULTS OH QUESTIOB-,1 FIGURE 4 The results of this diagram show that no one answering this question thought that the CYF program had been completely unsuccessful in its aims and purposes* Conversely, then, they were 100 per cent in accord that the program had been partly successful in the objectives which it sought. This is an im portant finding in regard to the program because it shows that it is achieving some definite aims in the Youth departments. Even those who find a conflict with their ideas in the pro gram have said that it has fulfilled some of its aims, at least partially. What those aims have been and are is brought out in the discussion of the following questions. 71 2. Has it been successful in correlating and inte grating the youth activities? 100 Hone partly very much so completely HISTOGRAM OF RESULTS OH QUESTIOH 2 FIGURE 5 The program’s chief aim has been a correlated and inte grated plan of young people’s activities in the local church. Results in the Wilshire Church are shown in the opinions obtained from this question. A close correlation is evident in the answers of this and the preceding question, as the per centages varied no more than 4 per cent on any question. The totals show that 100 per cent of the group believe that the CYF has done its task, partly at least, in achieving the above mentioned purpose in the opinion of those answering, ■ ‘ •he 72 different denominations have earnestly sought a program which would do this very thing. Does not this tend to show that the CYF plan has been partially successful in doing this? 3« Has it tended to promote better fellowship among the three youth departments; Junior High, Senior High, College? 100 90 not much not at all some . very much much HISTOGRAM OF RESULTS ON QUESTION 3 FIGURE 6 Fellowship is a prime requisite for any type of program or any type of group. A congenial atmosphere must be present in order that people can worship, play or carry on any other type of group activity. So that the author might have some index into how well the CYF program has done this in this lo cal group, it was necessary to get a cross-section of opinion in regard to the fellowship which the plan had engendered be tween the different ages. Tëû per cent were of the opinion that 73 It had done little or nothing in this regard. However, 90 per cent expressed the opinion that a greater fellowship had come about within the three age groups. The results on this question are important and will be referred to in the discussion of question number 5. 4. Have you noticed any growth in changed attitudes or actions on the part' of individuals or groups of indivi duals in the following? ^00 .90 .80 less sar- cast- better more better less friend-train- sel- ly ed in fish better better more under- sports coop- soc- stand- man era- ial- ing ship tion ized church work 1C HISTOGRAM OF RESULTS ON QUESTION 4 FIGURE 7 Growth in any type of activity is hard to measure quan titatively. In this case measuring attitudes through expressed opinions was the only way in which the author could read into 74 the minds of enough of the youth to get an accurate picture of what they thought had occurred in changed attitudes and actions on the part of those who have had a part in the CYF. Results show that opinions varied as to results which the program had attained. However, to get any response at all , should indicate that something is taking place in attitudes and actions of the young people. The reasons for low scores on the answers of **^less selfish" and "less sarcastic" might be laid to the fact that the persons who labeled them were thinking of specific cases of individuals whom they had ob served. If this is true it is interesting to know that given individuals, in the opinions of others, have changed in re gard to these actions. A notable result is found in that 40 per cent gave more cooperation as an achievement of the program. Co-opera tion is a necessary requisite in any society, for it means that people are beginning to share their common experience to bring about a desired result in which they may all share. It is important, here, also for it gives an index into the suc cess of the merger. The merger could not have been culminated without a cooperative spirit on the part of both groups. This spirit has aided notably in dissipating conflicts which have arisen. That the groups have become more friendly, better social ized, better trained in church work and instituted better understanding is interesting. It had, however, accomplished 75 these results only in the opinion of about one-third or more of the group. The number of scores received is not high on any particular choice which is given, but it is gratifying to note that the youth are thinking in terms of the changes being wrought in the group. A few may have marked the choices just to be marking something while the others were taking the question naire, however^ this would hold true in only a few cases and, therefore, the results obtained from this particular question are important in that they indicate certain trends which the program is taking in regard to social attitudes and actions in the lives of the groups. Better sportsmanship was marked by only 22 per cent of the group. There are some modifying forces,. however, at work here from the point of view of the observer. One is, that the Phalanx group had a high degree of sportsmanship to begin with, and, therefore any increase since the CYF program was institut ed is not readily apparent. Another reason is, that the gifIs do not tend to think in terms of sportsmanship for they are not engaged in athletic contests nor are they as athletic con scious as the boys. A. final reason might be that there is a tendency for persons to think of sportsmanship as related to specific instances or individuals, and therefore, since no ex perience in this case was fresh in their minds, few marked it. It is hard to conclude whether sportsmanship has increased, due to the fact that in this observer's opinion this attribute 76 has been very high in all activities which have been carried on by the groups. It seems, also, that the results obtained in regard to better cooperation, more friendly and so forth would tie in very closely with sportsmanship. 5# Are there any groups that have not entered into the CYF program as wholeheartedly as they might? 100 40 20 10 Christian Junior Pha- Adults Youth lanx Tea chers Choir Spon sors High bchooL Class Fndeavor Sorority College Class High Class HISTOGRAM OF RESULTS ON QUESTION 5 FIGURE 8 This question is interesting because of the implications which it has in relation to other questions. In regard to the 77 Junior High group, 24 per cent of those answering the question naire thought it had not entered into the CYF program as whole heartedly as it might. However, on question 3, it.was noted that 90 per cent of those answering had been of the opinion that the program had brought about a better fellowship among the three youth departments. Does this indicate that eyen though the Junior High group is not participating in the pro gram as much as they might, that there has been an increase of participation and of fellov/ship? In a class called ‘ ^Social Research Clinic*' the ques tion was raised in regard to whether Junior High age pupils should be included in the young people’s division along with the High School and College Age. Physiologically, the ages twelve through twenty-four years are the adolescent period. From a physiological viewpoint, therefore, it seems that they should be brought together as much as possible. The questionnaire reveals how well they have been amalgamated in the Wilshire Church, and has been discussed in the pre ceding paragraph. It would be impossible for this study to decide the question, except for this group, for educators, psychologists and sociologists are still debating its merits and implications. In the case under study, it seems that it has some advance yet to made. The national directors have recognized this and have prepared a separate manual and program for the intermediates which ties in wherever possible 78 with the CYF program. It is interesting to note that all groups received some criticism for not entering into the program but that none of them received any more than a small minority of votes against them. The Phalanx group probably has kept its se parate identity more than any other group. These young men have been together since they were children, in the same club group. They know each other so well and have been to gether so long that they have become set in many of their ways and attitudes. Nothing is allowed to interfere with their club, its takes precedence over all other activities, because of this intense loyalty to the group they many times seem to be unco-operative in their attitude. ^ teacher problem has been evident now for several months. At the time of the merger, the group of four or five boys v/ho have been referred to previously as the ones who cause a good deal of the disharmony, ousted the teacher of the College Class and a new teacher v/as secured. The new tea cher is extremely faithful, but tends to be too philosophical, and hence, there are a dozen or more of the formerly regular people who say they will not come. Another complaint which many voice, especially of the old is hire group, is that they want more Bible taught. One girl was of the opinion that the groups should be divided as to those attending College and those not attending, however, another plan 79 which seems feasible is to divide the class on the basis of material to be studied and have two classes. The group is large enough to make two fine classes and it seems to be the only method by which we can reclaim those of the College Age, who do not approve of the material being presented. Whenever the teacher has been approached in regard to his lesson content he has convinced those who talked to him that he was giving them the very thing which they wanted and has continued to teach the same materials. "If he would become more practical," many of the youth have said, "we would not mind,— but it’s over our heads." In the High bchool department the chief trouble has been a lack of faithfulness on the part of the teachers. One, a very excellent teacher, came only when he felt like it and as some of the youth expressed it, "le don?t know what to tell our friends when we invite them to church, we would like to say we have a good teacher, but we never know who will be there to teach us." With the High School age, especially, it seems that the greatest requirement of any teacher is regularity. Stability is needed with this age because emotion ally they are passing through a period in which they are on the heights one minute and down in the depths the next, '"hen 20 per cent of the group to whoma the questionnaire was ad ministered indicated that the teachers did not cooperate, they hit upon a vital weakness of the church. This, however, is 80 not inherent in the CYF program, but rather, is a problem of the Sunday School department and the educational committee. It has been brought in here because it has affected the youth program rather forcefully in a serious drop in attendance. The question-was asked to determine if in the opinion of the group.any organizations were not doing their share! The answers given fulfilled that purpose. It is a point in favor of the program that it has assimilated the groups as well as it has. 6i Is It your feeling that these groups should enter more wholeheartedly into the program? LOO 90 80 70 60 50 40 30 20 10 0 possibly surely no not sure HISTOGRAM OF RESULTS ON QUESTION 6 FIGURE 9 81 Xt is interesting to note on this question that al though opinions were expressed, by many, that the groups had not entered as wholeheartedly as they might into the pro gram, that 40 per cent of them were not sure that they should. Xt is hard to explain this.unless we conclude that 60 per cent who said that they should cooperate were the ones who answered the previous question and felt that the various groups were not. cooperating to the extent that they should. However, human nature is rarely consistent and it is there fore hard to account for the difference. It is possible that a conflict is indicated between groups and the CYF or else in the minds of the persons answering in regard to the implications involved if all the groups should become corre lated under the CYF program. It seems that there is still a fundamental misunderstanding present regarding the purpose of the CYF. Many are still of the opinion, that in the end, all organizations are to be supplanted by this program, rather than correlated and strengthened. In analyzing these answers it was necessary to summarize what was given as the reasons why or why.not they should cooperate. There were none who explained why they should not. There were, hovvever, five or six who said why they should. Their reason was that only by cooperation of all the groups in the CYF could it go forward and achieve its aim of correlation of the youth groups. The negative answers which were 14 per cent of the total were 82 given largely by those who held some "pet peeve" such as; Christian Endeavor or return to old fashioned religion, and it might have been because these groups would have to sacri fice some of this individuality that they were not willing nor not sure that they wanted full cooperation of all the groups. In analyzing this attitude it seems to be one of conflict, for the values of one group are matched against the values of another in the person’s mind and he is, therefore, not sure to which he should hold. This may indicate that some of the attitudes of these people are being re-juggled and re made. 7. Do the older members of the church try to help the youth and to understand them? 100 Yes Not as much as they might HISTOGRAM OF RESULTS ON QUESTION 7 FIGURE 10 83 This question has a phrase in it which is mis leading* '*Mot as much as they mightis too inclusive a phrase to be applied to anything* Therefore, it is neces- 8* Are the youth rendering any service to the com munity that justifies their program in the following terms? 80 70 40 20 10 goodwill and coop era tion in commun ity projects ieadei*s"im‘ d' good" citisenship service HISTOœAM OF RESULTS ON QUESTION 8 FIGURE 11 sary to judge the results of this question on the negative re plies* Only 7 per cent were of the opinion that the adults did not try to help the youth or to understand them* This means that 93 per cent were of the opinion that the adults 84 were definitely trying to help the young people. If this means that the age-youth conflict is being solved,1 then it is performing a definite service in this respect. The CYF does encourage youth participation and planning with adults entering in in an advisory capacity. This procedure has been followed as much as possible in the Wilshire Christ ian Church. The results of question 8 made it certain that ser vice and social action in the community is lacking, except in an indirect manner. While 40 per cent of the youth said that the CYF program was lending leaders and good citizen ship to the community which justified the program, only 12 per cent were of the opinion that any definite projects were being carried on and only 10 per cent that good will and coop eration were being lent to the community. This would seem to indicate that some type of specific action and education must be carried on which will lead into a definite commun ity contribution. The term leaders here probably means good citizens for it is interesting to note that both leaders and good citizens received an equal number of tallies and that in all cases they were marked by the same people. ^'esuit8 of question 9 seem to indicate that the CYF is contributing to the church in a number of worthwhile ways I Cf. ante .-V~"PX 1*53 • 9. Are the youth rendering any valuable service to the church through their program in the following terms? 85 100 90 70 40 20 conducting of worship projects teachers financial support leaders HISTOGRAM OF RESULTS ON QUESTION 9 FIGURE 12 and over a fairly large area of service. The importance of this is great because it gives a wide span of service to be performed by the youth. When they are concerned with a task, they tend to be more congenial and more active which results in a "we-feeling" being developed making it easy for accom modation and cooperation to come into play. The group be- 86 comes more absorbed in something which they can do and a socialization can take place making a person a part of the group and helping him to identify his welfare with the wel fare of the group. Through his procedure of the youth doing actslof service for the church, a wide range of activities is built up which give a sense of importance to the individuals designated to carry them out. The more tasks which can be performed, the more people can be used and the better the cooperation becomes. 10. %at are the good features of the CïF program as you see them? 40 . 20 . 10 J 0 meets'''alT*"Ineeds loetter coop- of all youth eration be- better feeling better train ed leaders tween groups and individ uals HISTOGRAM OF RESULTS ON QUESTION 10 FIGURE 13 87 Question 10 is a factual question and was asked to secure information as we11 as to ascertain how effective the program has been in its aims. The response shows definite strengths in the program's favor. Forty-six per cent be lieved that there was more cooperation on the part of both groups and individuals, which means that a social process has gone on leading to a greater cooperation and accommodation of the groups and of persons. All of the other results have been treated in the previous discussions and need not be re written here. 11. What are the weak points of the program? toomuch time THTt r Of with good of too much organiza- the church tion HISTOGRAM OF RESULTS ON QUESTION 11 FIGURE 14 100 90 80 70 6o 5b 40 30 20 10 0 88 Weak points of the program seem to be, too much time taken and too much organization required. These problems have been discussed in the previous chapter.^ A progr^ of this type necessarily required a great deal of organization to make it effective and in order to make drganizations func tion, a great amount of time is needed to work on them. The partial solution advanced has been to spread out the tasks so that no one person haa a repetition of meetings to attend. 12. Has it strengthened the youth work over what it formerly was? 100 80 20 10 Yes Ho HISTOGRAM OF RESULTS ON QUESTION 12 FIGURE 15 2 Cf. ante % 5^? 65-67. 89 This question seems to be answered by the histogram. 82.5 per cent say that the program has strengthened the youth work over what it formerly was. -^his means that with all its failings, there-are few who would return to the old type of young people’s activities. 14é Which committees could be improved? 100 '90 80 40 20 10 "WorsKip Membership Service Recreation And Social Action HISTOGRAM OF RESULTS OH QUESTION 14 FIGURE 16 This question hits directly at the organization and puts its finger on weak points in the program. The study and worship groups seem to be doing fairly well. However, the 90 membership, the service and social action and the recreation committees need a great deal of work according toLthe young people who answered the questionnaire. One of the chief difficulties, so far, has been that the committee chairmen have tried to do all of the work themselves and have not appointed committee members. When they have been urged to get these members they have replied, "Oh, nobody wants to be on my committee The executives of the various departments have gone to work on this problem and it looks as if some action is to be forthcoming in the near future. A new group of officers have been elected and the new committees are striving earnest ly to do their task. Many of the criticisms which have been given in regard to question number thirteen are useful some are not, but they give a background of the attitudes as they now stand and give a pretty fair corss-section of the attitudes tovmrd the program, at the present time, in the Youth Department. It is quite evident that there are some serious dissatisfactions which will need to be given immediate treatment. Most of these involve a conflict processB which must be solved by accommo dation. Some of these conflicts can be dissolved by making a full explanation of the program and its aims and purposes, as in the case of the one lad, who thought that Christian Endeavor was a great unifying force, for he says, 3 Cf. ante, p. 33. 91 I think it’s hard to evaluate the work because we don’t knov/ just what we could have done but I think it has destroyed the individuality of the groups. I think we ought to have graded study be- case v/e are of graded minds. We need no other methods for Christian unity because we have one (Christian Endeavor). I think it was a poor move to go out of Christian Endeavor. can’t have C.E. and CYF at the same time and have either of them strong. We must not divide our forces— that is what we have done, and we have suffered for it. *^6 need no unifying organizations now because again C.e . comes into play, i think we need it more than CYF. Don’t think 1 don’t like CYF but we should go after that group which has the higher call,— all denominational unity. In reality Christian Endeavor is a program which is carried on only on Sunday evening. The problem here is to explain how this program strengthens Christian Endeavor by adding to it the support of all the other groups which are actively concerned in carrying forward the life of the youth of the Wilshire Church. One girl of the College Age voiced her criticism by saying, X have felt for a long time that all activities of the College Class would be much more successful and worthwhile if the class were divided into two groups. One of actual college students and one of those who are of college age, but who haven’t gone on to school, ^ach of these groups has its own interests and each would go farther separately in all of the work of the church. Vvhen a group is divided, and has only half-hearted interest in any program, anything like CYF cannot be expected to be a total success. If a group as a whole supports anything it really goes to town. If you will notice, it is the same ones who are active in everything. More of the young people need to - be reached so that they will become interested and active and do their share instead of over- 92 loading a few people who are v/illing to do every thing. I feel that the College Group, at least, is not acting as an integrated v/hole. X, myself, am one of those v/ho come to Sunday School and Church but take no other part in the Youth Activ ities— one reason is transportation, but the main reason is a program which does not interest me as a college student. If X v/ere sufficiently inter ested, I would make an effort to enter into more things, ^o, as far as I am concerned the CYF can accomplish more by organizing a new, real College Class, and X know that others feel that same way• In regard to the suggestion that a College Class and a class for those not in College be adopted, it will be neces sary to further investigate to find if this person really does have as many who feel as she does as she thinks. If there is a real need which is not being met it would behoove the CYF after consultation with the college age group to initiate such a program. ■^sults from the questionnaire point to the facts that definite contributions have been made toward the growth of groups and individuals in the Youth Department. Our next step in the thesis Is to evaluate these signs of progress and build a basis for future advancement and strengthening of present weaknesses. Heeds met. V/hereas, there was little cooperation or correlation of any organizations which existed heretofore, the CYF has furnished a means by which all of the Youth activities can be centered upon common goals. The organi zation which has come about in order to carry out a program 93 of this kind; must necessarily be more involved than one which administers only to certain needs. There seems to be a feeling on the part of the Youth that too much organiza tion, at the.present time, exists. Past experience proves that too much time has been involved in carrying out this program. The suggestion, has, therefore, been made that ’ in order that the organization might carry on successfully and that a sacrifice in time will not have to be made, appor tionment of the time will have to be arranged so that various individuals will be working on the organization at separate intervals and no one person will have to give as much time as has formerly been necessary, -"-herefore, the organization itself is not at fault but the distribution of duties which has been made has not been adequate in covering a large number of the members. This puts before us, then as a fu^ ture goal, the thought that we must distribute offices more adequately and equally upon as many of the Youth as possible. A feeling of oneness has been-developed throughout the three groups, Jnnior High, Senior High and College. This has been brought about largely through the inherent structure of this program, for it requires cooperation. The feeling of oneness in fellowship has increased and a loyalty to the whole group rather than to its constitutent parts is evident. This has been brought about by many acti vities. Wherever it has been necessary and possible people 94 from each of the three groups have been brought together on committees so that there was an opportunity for a free interchange of ideas, and an attitude of.understanding and tolerance built up. In social activities such as parties, the groups have been brought together and had an opportun ity to play with freedom, resulting in a friendship and fellowship being built up. Although as many of these types of meetings have not been used as might have been possible the use of them has brought about desirable results, for rather than dreading promotion into another department the Youth look forward with expectancy toward the privilege of going into a class where they know that they will have friends and will be well received. They know that they will be well received because they have developed friendships and had fellowship with persons of the older groups in the above mentioned social functions and, therefore, have a wholesome joy upon being promoted into the more advanced group. This is a definite need which faces many organizations and this program seems to have solved it to a large extent. Greater leadership training possibilities have come about through combined efforts. The church has felt that the younger members of the church have enough representation so that they should have a trained -director to help ^them in bringing out their leadership qualities. It is also will ing to provide extra leadership training facilities and leader ship materials when the Youth are able to speak with one voice. 95 The questionnaire shows that the three departments have had a greater leadership training and have become more self-re liant in carrying out their programs. This could be due to other influences, however, at least to a certain extent, the credit must be given to the GYT’ program. Personal and Group Problems Solved. Neither all of our personal problems nor all of our group problems have been solved. However, certain changes have taken place which would lead one to believe that within the next year or two years these conflicts will be solved. Whereas, several were personally opposed to the program formerly, now there are very few, and none of those who have been troublesome have as yet left the group, but by accommodating themselves to the situation they have tried to do something constructive. In the groups, also we find a like situation in that nearly all of them have, to 'a large extent, found their place in the program and are trying to cooperate and correlate their programs so that they fit in and work toward the good of all concerned. This process has been brought about by giying these people something definite which they could do which would make a contribution to the work as a whole. When ever responsibility has been given to them they have carried it out in a manner which v;ould be a credit to the finest of Christian people. 4s has been said before, the accommodation 96 process has come into play and has worked wonderfully well for it has been based on an attitude of goodwill and toler ance on the part of all those concerned and where differ ences exist the work has gone forward because the people concerned adjusted themselves. There undoubtedly is quite a good deal to be done here yet, but this is both an edu cational and growth process and a period of two or even three years should not be considered too short a time in which to get the CYE to such a place that it can function as it should in this church. Changed Attitudes on the Part of the Youth. the Church and the Community. There has most certainly been a change in attitudes and actions on the part of many of the Youth in that whereas they did not formerly cooperate nor try to work for the good of the whole, they have now shown a greater fellowship, a better understanding, better sportsmanship, have become more socialized, are more friendly, and are more able to carry on church tasks. These outcomes in attitudes and processes were revealed in the results of the questionnaire. The meaning of the term socialized has been referred to on page 64 of this manuscript and the way in v/hich it is defined there would make it safe to say that such a process has certainly gone on in the group, for as it has been previously said, to be social ized means that persons learn to act dependably together, but not necessarily alike, on behalf of group unity and con- 97 stractive change”. Therefore, socialization does not mean conformity- but it does mean a greater mutual participation. It is important here because all of life is concerned in people becoming more socialized and every.institution must contribute toward that process if it is to fulfill its ob ligation to society and to the individual. It works vi/hen people, in having relationships one with another, begin to realize that open conflict results in defeat for both par ties concerned, and therefore it is only by cooperation and accommodation of one to the other that both are able to sur vive more adequately. It is fairly safe to say that more Youth have actually taken part in the planning and carrying through the program than was formerly possible under a set"" up of individual organizations. The CYF is particularly set up to improve activities, play groups, social and religious groups. It is quite evi dent also that these different committees in charge of .var ious activities have, as yet, not functioned to their fullest extent. It is, therefore, recognized that these functions must be improved. That the Youth are learning how to make adjustment is shown by the fact that everyone v/h.o responded to the question naire gave some notice of the growth and changed attitudes on the part of individuals and groups and that in becoming more adjusted the program was providing a solution which was needed and which exists in the life of each individual. 98 The program has only been in force a year but it has shown many improvements in the youth activities. Certain committees have not functioned which has tended to cause a reaction against the program, itself, rather than bringing about a realization on the part of the young people that they must assume the responsibility for seeing that it does a- chieve. The Recreation. Committee has failed in its function ing probably as much if not more than any committee because the questionnaire reveals that 50 per cent of those who answered felt that this committee especially needed improvement in its activities. They have the materials and they have the leader ship but they have failed to plan for the use of those things which they have. The chief weakness, therefore, in this com mittee has probably been planning. At this age especially a great deal of exercise of various types, and diversified social contacts are needed in order that the youth might grow more adequately. The fact that the lack of planned re creation was continually referred to throughout the question naire v/ould show that the need here has not been answered. It would also tend to show that the Ybuth are not interested in unplanned recreation for they want something supervised and something which is new and exciting to them. This pro bably is related to one of the four fundamental wishes, which is, the wish for new,experience. A well planned recreational program is, therefore, probably one of the greatest contri butions which the CYT program can make in this particular 99 situation and many religious and educational leaders agree that the best place in the world to teach religion is in the play group. To guide, therefore, the function of this committee is extremely important to the welfare of the groups and it should satisfy fundamental urges and should aid in reshaping attitudes and in constructive adjustments. The Service and Social Action Committee also needs to esqplore its possibilities and its fields of endeavor which it might be using to a greater advantage. Forty-four per cent of those who ansv/ered the questionnaire felt that the work of this committee was entirely inadequate. It is quite possi ble that if more of them had understood v/hat this committee should be doing that they too would have added their tallies along Vi/ith the rest. The blame, however, is not completely with the committee but it lies as a fundamental weakness of the whole church program of service. The idea of service to the community, except in terms of missionary action has been largely neglected. It is a comparatively new field and requires a good deal of research. Sometimes in our haste to carry out a needed function vm waste our energy on needless projects. This committee, therefore, should try to : explore the field with an eye to really fulfilling a need in every project which its puts forward for consideration by the groups. For only one project, which fulfills a true need, is far better than many projects which are merely false starts. ' 100 The .Personnel Committee, which is concerned with mem— ' bership and promotion, has not as yet fulfilled its obligation to the extent which is necessary in order to carry on expand ing activities of the youth department. The evidence of this is shown by the fact that.40 per cent of those answering the questionnaire registered this reaction, A membership com mittee has a large task which is easy to neglect because it seems like a small one. Any social organization which is de pendent upon new members for its growth and its continuance must have an effective organization which will take care of recruiting new members and preserving the old. This work can be done in various ways but it must be done. A telephone call, a postal card, a short letter or a face to face invi tation may results in a favorable reaction upon the part of the one to whom it is extended. There are probably two rea sons why this committee has failed to a certain extent in its functions: one is the lack of organization to carry out its task; and the other is that the congregation is scattered over such a large area, making communication difficult without, at least, some minor expense. A year is a short time in v/hich to judge any program. It is quite evident, however, that as it is now set up, even though functioning inadequately, the CYF is doing things for the Youth which had not been done heretofore and therefore on the basis of past success it is possible to predict the 101 future that it will be a growing program which will even tually lead to growing Christian characters and personalities who will be able to take their place in society and fulfill their obligation to their fellow man in a better and finer way. - CHAPTER VII SUMMARY AND CONCLUSIONS gummar%. In summarizing it is necessary to restate the material which has been covered. This thesis has been concerned largely with the growth, the difficulties and the processes involved in the Christian Youth Fellowship program in the Wiishire Christian Church of Los Angeles. In addition to this it is necessary to find the effect which this type of program has had in one year of service upon those who have used it. The literature, as yet, relating directly to the problem is very inadequate. This is prob ably due to the fact that the Disciples of Christ had not had any definite program for the Youth before the CYF plan was introduced. From a program which began as late as the Fall of 1938 it has had a rather ready acceptance on the part of large groups of Youth in the Disciples Fellowship. -^he whole program has been built upon the basis of a unifica tion and correlation of the activities of Youth. It strives to do this bÿi making it necessary and possible for Young People to cooperate in carrying out various activities. It also makes room for cooperation in all types of denom inational and interdenominational Christian groups. Adopt ion of the plan is completely voluntary. The program and organization necessary to carry it out, as now in use at the Wilshire Christian c^^rch, has 103 followed as nearly as possible the correlated plan put forth in literature from the National office of the Disciples of Christ.^ There are five committees which exist in order that all phases of life might be covered. These are : Study; Wor ship; Personnel (Membership); Recreation and Social Life ; and Service and Social Action. In addition to this, pro vision has been made for Short Term and special Interest Committees which may be needed to carry out specific pro jects or activities. Problems which have been met are both general and specific. Most specific is the problem of the union of the two churches. In this merger two groups of people with different attitudes and different backgrounds were con cerned, the First ^hurch being extremely cooperative with all dutside agencies v/hile the Wilshire ^hurch was more of a unit in itself. In both groups as far as the Youth v/ere concerned there had been adult domination rather than guid ance. It was necessary, therefore, to bring about an under standing on the part of both the Young People and the adults that they were to cooperate in their programs rather than to have one group dominated by the other. The Youth were urged to plan their own programs and carry them through. The adults v^ere educated to helping the youth to help them selves. In this way the CYF v^as. able to contribute more 1 Cf. ante, p. 6. 104 to the church and the church was able to supplement this program with the aid which it needed and the Youth could not supply. There vjas a problem of difference in attitudes and actions on the part of the youth from the separate churches. This v;as solved partly by the CYF program and partly by the goodwill which existed on the part of each individual which led to an accommodation process taking place and co operation coming into play which has welded the two groups into one body, more completely than the rest of the church. The next problem was more general. It was concerned with problems of conflict and accommodation arising from the plan. In the first place, there were and still are, both adults and youth who are unable to see the relationship be tween 'the CYF program and other organizations outside the immediate realm of the local church. Rather than correlating the activities of these outside agencies under one heading which v;ould plan for the complete needs of the Youth they thought it was another program vjhich was meeting for a specific need, as most outside organizations do. Most of the conflict to date has been dissipated through explanations and through a practice of cooperation on the part of the CYF with these other programs. In the second place, the persons who opposed the program had to be given something definite to do in order that they might feel that they were a part of this program 105 and were contributing directly to it. Through this method most of those who were opposed originally, have come to a partial support and are beginning to see that there is a strength in correlation of activities. Another problem which has been met to a certain ex tent, is that of time involved in making the organization, which is necessary to this program. The solution which has been advanced to this and has grown out of this tudy is that more individuals must be given tasks which will not lead to concentration of time involved on any one person. Contributions made by the CYF cover a wide range but most of them are concerned with the growth of individuals and groups and has resulted in a better cooperation, better spirit, greater understanding, a more friendly attitude, and a more socialized outlook. These attitudes and actions have been brought about through a process of play; through meetings which included most of the various age groups; and through open discussion in Sunday School and in the even ing youth groups. Service to the community has not been up to par, however, service to the church has exceeded expectations. That there has been a definite improvement in many phases of the Youth work in regard to the church is evident. The social processes which have been involved are de- io6 fined in the first chapterAccommodation has been one of ■ the main .processes. It has solved many of the problems which have presented themselves. When the two churches merged, an accommodation process was necessary in order that the different backgrounds would be assimilated into one great church. Conflict entered in between age and youth and in misunderstandings of the program which led to open opposition in some cases. Sociali zation has taken place in the opinion of many answering the ques tionnaire, leading to a change in attitudes and actions on the part of those involved. Opinions have been sought through the questionnaire in order that the program might be evaluated. Opinions have been used throughout as an index to attitudes, although they may not always represent the basic attitude. Conclusion. In conclusion it is necessary to face realis tically the contributions that the CYF program, as it has been used, has made to the Youth work at the Wilshire Christian Church. The fault, if there is any to be found, may be with our practice of the program and not with the program itself. The program, as practiced, has met certain needs : it has brought about a better fellowship on the part of the three age groups; it has served to weld the merged groups together by an accommodation process based upon goodwill and tolerance; it has brought about a growth process in individual members, as revealed by the opinions shown on the questionnaire; it has 2 Cf. ante., p. 3. 107 provided an organization which when in operation can take care of all the needs of all the youth; it has given to the church, trained leaders and worthwhile programs; for it has given opportunity for more people than formerly to share in activity and responsibility; it has brought about a closer cooperation, and less domination, in the relation of the youth to the adults; and it has, despite protests to the contrary, brought about more cooperation with inte re de nominati ona1 agen cies, for support is given to gatherings which they hold and the names of all officers are on file in their offices. The program, as used, has also shown some v/eaknessesr (1) there is too much organization involved; (2) too much time is needed in order to the program to be effective as it might; and (3) adequate coordinated activity for the three age groups is lacking, although, it is better than formerly. The program, itself, may not be to blame for any of these, perhaps, except the item of organization. More organi zation is suggested than it is possible to have available, which is a definite, weakness. It is necessary for the CïF at the Wilshire Christian Church, on the other hàiid, to build up the weak committees and make them function more adequately. In addition to this, the Youth must be urged to be independent in thinking, in, action and in all types of leadership, so that they might be able to carry out the things relative to church manage- 108 ment as they take over the reins which will be handed down by the adults. The conclusion is that the program itself has been, good with the possible exception of organization and time involved, but the CYF at this church has not completely carried out the plan as'proposed by the National Office. There have been definite sociological contributions made, in terms of attitudes which have been changed by means of basic processes such as socialization, conflict, competi tion, accommodation and cooperation, in addition to a free interchange of opinions on the part of the members of the group. All of these have been defined and their processes dis cussed wherever they came into play in forming a completed picture, throughout the thesis. In conclusion, a quotation from one of the High School boys written in answer to question I3 of the questionnaire seems to typify and summarize all other suggestions which were given: Although the CYF is just getting started and has a long way to go, a marked improvement in the meetings, spirit and work of the Youth has been seen. Formerly the Youth were simply concerned in turning out meetings, and were wrapped up in their own departments, not doing much in general. Now we are beginning to meet the Youth's needs and to cooperate and have fellov/ship among the college. Junior High and High School groups, and to have a greater feeling and understanding of the meaning of service. 109 BIBLIOGRAPHY PRIMARY A. PAMPHLETS DIRECTLY CONCERNED WITH THE CYF A Manual for Leaders of Intermediates. The Christian Youth Fellowship. St. Louist The Christian Board of Publi cation, 1940. 150 pp. A Program Guide for Christian Youth. The Christian Youth Fel lowship. St. LouisÎ The Christian Board of Publication, 1940-4 1. 32 pp. General Manual. The Christian Youth Fellowship. St. Louis: Christian Board of Publication, 1939* 64 pp. Study Manual. The Christian Youth Fellowship. St. Louis: Christian Board of Publication, 1940. 64 pp. Worship Manual. The Christian Youth Fellowship. St. Louis: Christian Board of Publication, 1940. 64 pp. SECONDARY A. BOOKS THAT MIGHT BE USED AS A HELP Alihan, Milla Aissa, Social Ecology. A Critical Analysis. New York: Columbia Ikiiversity Press, I93 8. 267 pp. Bernard, C. L., editor, The Fields and Methods of Socio logy. New York: Farrar & Rinehart, Inc., 19341 ^9 Pp. Betts,.George Herbert, Teaching Religion Today. New York: The Abingdon Press, 1934. 268 pp. Bogardus, Emory S., Introduction to Social Research. New York: Suttonhouse, Ltd., 193^7 237 pp. Burkhart, Roy A.?, Youth and The Way of Jesus. New York: Round Table Press, Inc., 1939» 212 pp. Ikiderstanding Youth. New York: The Abingdon Press, 1938. 176 pp. 110 Carrier, Blanche, How Shall I Learn to Teach Religion. New York: Harper & Brothers Publishers, I93O. 23O pp. Chave, J^rnest J., Measure Religion. Chicago: The Univer sity of Chicago Press, 1939# I60 pp. Coe, George Albert, A Social Theory of Religious Education. New York: Charles Bcribners Sons, I9 1 7. 36% pp. ______ , What is Christian Education? New York: Charles Scribners Sons, I9 2 9. 3OO pp. Colby, Merle Estes, Handbook for Youth. New York: Due11, Sloan and Pearce, I9 4 0. 3^6 pp. Cole, Stewart G., Character and Christian Education. Nash ville: Cokesbury Press, I936I 249 pp. Coyle, Grace Longwell, Studies in Group Behavior. New York: Harper and Brothers, 1937# 378 pp. Bollard, John, Criteria for the Life History. New Haven: Yale University Press, 1935# ^ 8 pp. Eliwood, Charles A., Methods in Sociology. North Carolina: Duke University Press, 1933# 214 pp. Elmer, M. C. , Social Research. New York: Prentice-Hall, Inc., 1939: ^ pp. Good, Alvin, Sociology and Education. New York: Harper and Brothers, Publishers, 1926. $89 PP# Gregg, Abel Jones, Supervision of Group Work. New York: Association Press, I9 2 7# 26 pp. Hader, J. J., and Linde man, E. C., Dynamic Social Research. New York: Harcourt, Brace and Company, 1933# P# 148 Hayward, Percy Roy, Young People's Method In The Church. New York: The Abingdon Press, 1933# 373 PP# King, Irving, The High School Age. Indianapolis: The Bobb8-Merrill Company, I9 1 4. 233 PP# Leigh, Robert Devore, Group Leadership. New York: W. W. Norton and Company, Inc., I9 3 6. 259 PP# Lindenberg, Sidney, J., Supervision in Social Group Work. New York: Association Press, 1939# 141 pp. Ill Lundberg, George A., Social Research. New York: Long- mas, Green and Co., I929I 380 pp. Maus, Cynthia Pearl, Youth and Creative Living. New York: Harper and Brothers, 1932. 167 pp. Newstetter, Wilbur Irvin, Group Adjustment. Cleveland: Western Reserve University, I928. 1^4 pp. Palmer, Leon Carlos, Youth and the Church. Milwaukee: Morehouse Publishing Co., 1933# 217 PP# Rice, Stuart A., editor. Methods In Social Science. Chicago: The University of Chicago Press, 1931# 822 pp. Richardson, Norman E., The Church at Play. New York: The Abingdon Press, 1922. 317 pp. Sheffield, Albert Dwight, Training for Group Experience. A Syllabus. New York: The Inquiry, 1929. 10$ pp. Smith, Walter Robinson, ^ Introduction to Educational Socio logy. New York: Houghton Mifflin Company, 1917# 412 pp. _______ , Principles of Educational Sociology. San Francisco: Houghton Mifflin Company, I9 2 8. 773 PP# Soares, Theodore Gerald, Religious Education. Chicago : The University of Chicago Press, I9 2 8. 336 pp. . Stone, Walter Leroy. Problems in Social Group Work. Nashville Informal Education Service, 19357 90 PP# Tuttle, Harold S., A Social Basis of Education. New York: Thomas Y. Crowell Company, 1934. 5^9 PP# Weston, Sidney Adams, Social and Religious Problems of Young People. New York: The Abingdon Press, 1934. 2BB pp. Young, Pauline V., Scientific Social Surveys and Research. New York: Prentice-Hall, Inc., 1939# 6I9 pp. Znaniecki, Florjan, The Method of Sociology. New York: Farrar and Rinehart, Inc., 19341 338 pp. B. PAMPHLETS THAT MIGHT BE USED AS A HELP 112 Helping Other Young People To Be Christian. United Christian Youth Movment. Chicago: The International Council of Religious Education, 1940. 40 pp. Youth Action in Breaking Down Barriers. The Christian Quest. Uhicagos The International Council of Religious B<jucation, 1935# 24 pp. Group Action in Building a New \?orld. The Christian Quest. Chicago: The International Council of Religious Education, 1935. 40 pp. Youth Action in Building a War less World. The Christian Quest. Chicago: The‘International Council of Religious Education, 1935. 28 pp. Youth Action in Christian Patriotism. The Christian Quest. Chicago: The International Council of Religious Education, 1937# 40 pp. Christian Youth in Missionary Action. The Christian Quest. Chicago: The International Council of Religious Education, 1937# 24 pp. Youth Action in Personal Religious Living. The United Christian Youth Movement. Chicago: The International Council of Religious Education, 1937# Youth Action in Preparing for Marriage and Home Life. The Christian Quest. Chicago : The International Council of Religious Education, 1937# 24 pp. Youth Action on The Economic Problem. The Christian Quest. Chicago: The International Council of Religious Education, 1937# 40 pp. Youth Action on The Liquor Problem. The Christian Quest. Chi cago: The International Council of Religious Education, 1936. 31 pp. Youth Action in The Local Church. The Christian Quest. Chi cago: The International Council of Religious Education, 1938. 22 pp. Youth Action in The Use of Leisure Time. The Christian Quest. Chicago: The International Council of Religious Education, 1935. 36 pp. 113 G . UNPUBLISHED MATERIALS Mangold, Janet, Study of the Social and Ethical Attitudes of Senior High School and Junior College Students.'* A Thesis presented to the faculty of the School of Educa tion, The University of Southern California, Los Angeles, August, 1934. Rudy, Holla A., *'A Study of the Personal Problems of High School Students.” A Thesis presented to the faculty of the School of Education, The University of Southern Calif ornia, Los Angeles, July, 1937# 1 1 4 APPENDIX 115 AGE_______ SEX________ LENGTH OF TIME YOU HAVE BEEN A MEMBER HERE DEPARTMENT OR CLASS IF. AN ADULT, PUT OFFICE IN CHURCH READ BEFORE FILLING IN: The Christian Youth Fellowship program has been with us for one year, beginning with the union of the two chprches. This test is given not as a final judgment of the program but in order to see thé trends which You think it has taken. .Re flect as you read these questions on the ideas and thoughts that have come to you in the past in relation to these questions, and also in terms of what you think the program holds in store for the future. Take enough time and thought to fill this in reliably. 1. As you interpret the CYF program and its purposes, would you say it is being successful? Underline which: partly not at all almost all completely 12 11 3 9 8 3 1 2 1 2. Has it been successful in correlating and integrating the Youth activities? Underline which: none partly very much so con^letely 15 7 2 6 12 4 2 1 3. Has it tended to promote better fellowship among the three youth departments: Junior High, Senior High, College? Underline which: not much not at all some 1 1 3 6 5 2 very much much 10 10 5 2 5 4. Have you noticed any growth in changed attitudes or actions on the part of individuals or groups of individuals in terms of: Underline which ones: better understanding more friendly - 4 6 5 8 6 4 , better sportsmanship more cooperative better socialized 6 3 2 5 8 7 9 6 2 better trained in church work less selfish less sarcastic 4 8 4 2 2 4 1 1 ii6 Any others___________________ Remarks:____ ____________________ 5. Are there any groups that have not entered into the CYF program as wholeheartedly as they might? Underline which ones; Phalanx Youth Choir I'eachers 2 6 2 2 1 3 4 I Sponsors the Adults Christian Endeavor the Sorority 1 2 - 2 3 2 1 3 4 Jr. High Class High School Class College Class 8 3 1 5 2 3 1 Any Others 6. Is it your feeling that these groups should enter more wholeheartedly into the CYF program? Underline which: possibly surely no not sure vVhy? #31 9 12 4 1 4 1 7. Do the older members of the church try to help the youth and to understand them? Underline which; yes no not as much as they might 8 4 2 2 1 12 10 4 8. Are the Youth rendering any service to the community that justifies their program in terms of: Underline which ones : leaders projects goodwill 967 123 23 good citizenship cooperation in community service 6 10 4 1 2 2 Any others________ - 9. Are the Youth rendering valuable service to the church through their program such as: Underline which ones : leaders teachers financial 9 12 5 4 9 4 5 7 117 support projects conducting of worship Others 3 52 13 12 6 10. What are the good features of the CYF program as you see them? Underline which ones : Better feeling better trained 4 7 5 4 10 leaders meets all the needs of all the youth better 5 4 6 2 10 cooperation - between groups and individuals Others 10 3 11. What are the weak points of the program? Underline which ones ; Too much time too much organization 551 6 81 out of harmony with the good of the church 1 Other weaknesses: Inadequate material, inadequate adult and youth leadership, committees do not act. 12. Has it strengthened the Youth work over what it formerly was? Underline which; Yes No 12 14 7 7 13. Write a short paragraph evaluating the work of the CYF and give suggestions for improvement. See last chapter. 14. vïhich committees could be improved? Underline which ones : Study Worship Membership 612 321 8 8 4 Service and Social Action Recreation 9 10 3 14 8 3

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Creator Fish, Merle Edison, Jr. (author)

Core Title A study of the Christian youth fellowship of the Wilshire Christian Church of Los Angeles

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Degree Master of Arts

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