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The Adolescence of a Congregation Overview This article explores the fourth of ten stages of development in the life cycle and stages of congregational development: Adolescence. The ten stages are grouped into five phases. Phase Two: Late Growth involves ten to twelve years of the life of a congregation. It includes the stages of Childhood and Adolescence. To understand the Adolescence stage appropriately it is necessary to look at the transition from the Childhood stage, understand the place of the organizing principles in the Adolescence stage, review the characteristics of this stage, and determine how a congregation makes the passage to the Adulthood stage. How Does a Congregation Make the Passage to Adolescence? When a congregation is about ten to twelve years old it then begins to move forward with new power potentially created by the success of its programs, ministries, and activities established during Childhood. For the past five to six years it has struggled to provide the programming that fits its image of the potential of the congregation. Now its hard work is beginning to pay off, and it shows signs of qualitative and quantitative success. Some of the sense of fellowship, identity and informality of Infancy begins to join the high task orientation of Childhood to create a new sense of energy about the future of the congregation. The stage that follows Childhood is Adolescence. Dominant vision, relationships, and programs characterize this fourth stage. To navigate the passage from Childhood to Adolescence successfully, a congregation needs to begin acting like a congregation in Adolescence. When it can do so without thinking about it, then it has probably navigated the passage. What is the Place of the Organizing Principles in the Adolescence Stage? Adolescence is that period when vision, relationships and programs are dominant, but management is not. The period of Adolescence lasts six to eight years. Congregations in Adolescence are continuing to live out the vision that God has given them for a congregation that ought to be present in a certain place or target group of people. Vision is the fuel or energy that will drive the congregation forward throughout the growth side of the life cycle. Relationships are the spiritual and relational processes by which persons are brought to faith in God through Jesus Christ, become connected to a local New Testament congregation, are assimilated into the fellowship life and care ministry of a congregation, have opportunities for spiritual growth and leadership development, and are mentored to use their gifts and skills through Kingdom involvement. Programs are the functional attempts to provide projects, ministries, services, activities, and training for people connected to the congregation by membership, fellowship, or through relationship processes. What are the Characteristics of the Adolescence Stage? The Adolescence stage of a congregation is characterized by a passion to fulfill the strategic spiritual vision of the congregation. Because fulfillment of this vision may be in sight, the congregation presses for a higher quality and quantity of ministry. Adolescence congregations engage in relationships and program activities focused on fulfilling their sense of their God-given vision. Agendas addressed during Adolescence may include the following:
Congregations in Adolescence truly act in an adolescent fashion. They have emotional extremes, and they are awkward in some of their actions and they are striving to be adults. Emotional extremes at times relate to attempts to over achieve as a congregation to meet self-imposed goals based on personal perceptions about what the congregation ought to look like by the time it reaches Adulthood. Awkwardness occurs as the congregation seeks to deal with an infusion of new people and resources without an adequate management plan to handle these. The congregation may still be primarily operating on the management systems of Phase One: Early Growth. The current size and rate of growth that may be occurring causes inefficient and ineffective management practices based on this old style of management. Competition is evident in the congregation. Two visions of the future seem to be dominant in the congregation. People who affiliated with the congregation during Birth or Infancy hold one vision. This is a vision of a strong worshiping community with intimate fellowship and care, and meaningful, corporate spirituality. People who affiliated with the congregation during Childhood and Adolescence hold the other vision. The programs, ministries, and activities of the congregation that met specific needs of the family or household attracted them. Their vision is one of a full service, family-focused congregation with opportunities for meaningful, individual spirituality. The competition shows up in various decisions the congregation faces. One relevant type of decision is what should be the responsibilities of the next staff person. Those who affiliated during Birth and Infancy would like for the next person to focus on enhancement of worship, pastoral care, and running the management of the church in a correct manner. Those who affiliated during Childhood and Adolescence would like age group ministers, and a focus on family life and marriage enrichment. The competition also shows up in what function the congregation wants in their next building. Those who affiliated during Birth and Infancy are looking forward to the worship center or formal fellowship space, about which they have been dreaming. Those who affiliated during Childhood and Adolescence want more first quality, age-graded program space or recreational space. At times this competition can result in unhealthy conflict situations. Usually these situations can be dealt with effectively during Adolescence because the greater good of the approaching Adulthood stage keeps the congregation focused on moving forward together. Occasionally these situations result in the congregation separating into two or more congregations in response to conflicting visions of the future. How Does a Congregation Make the Passage to Adulthood? When a congregation is about eighteen to twenty-two years old, it begins to move forward with increased certainty and ease. If the formalizing of the management systems has occurred in an empowering and non-disruptive manner, then the congregation is operating with increased efficiency and effectiveness. During Adolescence the congregation worked hard to deal with the ambiguity or fuzziness caused by the competition among high priority concerns. Its people and financial resource base, which was a struggle during Adolescence, begins to expand and lower the stress felt by leadership individuals. With greater efficiency and effectiveness, and a broader resource base, the congregation’s self-esteem increases, and it begins to show pride in the success of its ministry. The stage that follows Adolescence is Adulthood. All four organizing principles are dominant during this fifth stage. To navigate the passage from Adolescence to Adulthood successfully, a congregation needs to begin acting like a congregation in Adulthood. When it can do so without thinking about it, then it has probably navigated the passage. | 
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