Stages of Growth

The Issues, Difficulties, Crises of the Stages in CLC Growth

Introductory Period Is CLC possible or right for me? Do I want to commit myself to a process with this group of people? There could be resistance to growth or involvement that causes tardiness or absence, etc. Difficulty knowing the distinctiveness of CLC - not meeting expectations 1. First Years After a fairly stable, positive initial period (a honeymoon), the group is likely to meet a crisis of negativity - this corresponds to the First Week of the Exercises: Personal limitations and weaknesses, even if not expressed, affect the life of the group So difficulties appear within the group (differences surface, frustrations come to light, expectations are not fulfilled, there is a lack of frankness between members, together with fears, misunderstandings, absences, the burden of the meetings...;). Discontent and disillusionment spread The moment of truth arrives: the discontent has to be expressed in the meetings. In and through the comments, exchanges and signs that express the dissatisfaction comes an awareness and mutual acknowledgment of personal and common limitation, and of how fragile is the harmony that has so far existed in the group. Then comes, too, an acceptance of joint responsibility for the group’s future; this is a concrete experience of redemption. The commitment to care for one another increases. One comes to a deeper sense that CLC is right for me. 2. Vocational Discernment One is committed to CLC, at least for now. One continues to grow as member of the group. The focus on being for others and mission begins to develop or expand. The crisis has to do with election of a permanent commitment to CLC, and it has three important aspects: 1. Is CLC my way of life for life? Concretely, how central will involvement in CLC be for me? How does it fit with the other realities that make up my life? 2. Am I ready to focus my life on mission? 3. Am I/Are we ready to let our community relations in CLC be focused on mission? Are we ready to undergo the uncertainty, the dying to self that this will entail? Terry Charlton, S.J.

Revised: May 7, 2003