JESUS YOUTH | KAIROS GLOBAL | MAY 2019

Author: Dr Edward Edezhath

Making Decisions in Jesus Youth Groups

“There is a retired priests residence not far away. Why don’t we visit them one afternoon?” Akhil was making this suggestion in a Jesus Youth core group. Among the nine members, four or five thought it was very good idea, some were hesitant, yet others undecided. They had to take a decision about it, either to accept and go, or not to go. 

Taking decisions is a very important part of daily life. All of us take so many personal decisions every day; some are very insignificant like how much of a dish I should serve in the plate, or if I should read this book a little more now. Some personal decisions could be of greater significance, like which course of study I should take or when I will do daily exercise. Then again, there is a whole category of decisions in which other people are involved, at home or at our work place. Each of our decisions take us forward in life, both personal and community decisions. Often, we focus on WHAT we decide and forget about HOW we reached that decision. Don’t forget, the way in which we take group decisions builds up or weakens our groups. 

I used to give a ‘slogan making’ exercise in our training programs during the early days of Jesus Youth. Three groups would gather to make a catchy slogan for a proposed program, but their leaders would be selected earlier and instructed to lead the group in a certain way. The first is an ‘autocrat’ leader, the second is just ‘playful’ and the third, ‘participative’. Without the group realizing it, the leaders would be asked to push their styles when the group do the planning. Some people would also be just observing the way in which the groups interact. Then the groups would start their slogan making. If everything goes well, the group of the ‘autocrat’ or the authoritarian leader would either have a fierce fight or end up with many people very silent and deeply hurt. In the ‘playful’ leader’s group, first they would enjoy the fun and after that when they see that nothing is happening the group would become quite restless and sometimes they too would fight. But in the participative group, almost always, they would come out not just with a very attractive slogan and plan, but would have a sense of unity and visible satisfaction of their goal achieved. At the second part of the session all would gather together, reflect on what happened and take their tips on leadership and decision making. 

The greatest strength of Jesus Youth movement is its active fellowships. There are informal friendship gatherings, regular meetings like prayer groups, cells and households, and coordinating teams and councils. At all these levels, knowingly and unknowingly we take decisions. As I mentioned, the ‘what’ of these decisions is important, but the ‘how’ is more important. The above ‘slogan making was to highlight the ‘how’. This ‘how’ will show the spiritual maturity of the persons in that group. More than that, by an attentive and participative decision making the group will grow in love and unity.

Attitudes for Good Decisions

Before we speak of the process of decision making in a group it would be good to ask what attitudes are important for united decision making. 

1. Respect: Each person in the group is a child of God and has the indwelling Holy Spirit. Our worldly prejudices often make us forget this. A person’s age, education, social position and gender considerations must not stop us from giving that person due respect. This attitude truly makes us real disciples of Christ and lays the foundation for united decisions.

2. Listening: ‘as you did it to one of the least of these my brethren, you did it to me’ (Mt. 25: 40, 44). God speaks especially through very insignificant people, and an openness that will make us listen to what they say or don’t say is very important in group decisions. 

3. Accept variety: “You are the body of Christ and individually members of it” with differing charisms (1 Cor 12: 27). Some speak gently and systematically, some would be loud and insistent, some others are always confused and doubting – but accept all contributions in building the body of Christ. 

4. God’s plan: Seek God’s plan, and ‘whatever you do, do all to the glory of God’ (1Cor.10:31). So, it is important to look for the Lord’s plan especially through reflection and listening in prayer.

5. Disinterestedness: What is this very important attitude of following God’s will? ‘This is what I would like to happen; but, Lord, let your will be done’. Realizing well what I wish, yet being fully resigned for the decision of the body of Christ, is the holy attitude of detachment, much needed for group decisions.

6. Don’t hurry: When you are convinced of a plan, you would want to hurry. But in a group there would be people at different stages of getting convinced. A good principle in group decisions is not to hurry or push for a conclusion.

7. Peace and unity: In building the Kingdom, ‘make love your aim’ (1Cor.14:1). After all discussions and arguments about an issue, our goal is that the group should reach a united stand. This is one of the best ways to grow in the experience of the love of God, and also to build enduring fellowships.

Be joyful always! After a decision comes all the work to reach the goal set, but we must not forget that every good decision is a big step in partaking of the love and life of the Trinity. It is through a group of disciples taking decisions together and growing in love that the work of the Lord comes alive. As Jesus said, “if two of you agree on earth about anything they ask, it will be done for them by my Father in heaven” (Mt.18:19).

(To be continued)