Spiritual Leaders Understand "Belonging"

We, as human beings, have a longing to belong. Feeling that we belong provides comfort and security as well as conveying that our lives have meaning and value. This helps explain why people, especially our young people, go to such lengths to belong---even if that means joining a gang. And then we see the disastrous results that can occur when one doesn't feel that he/she belongs anywhere--suicides, eating disorders, drug abuse, killing sprees, unwed teen mothers, etc.

It is crucial that we do all we can to help our diverse students feel a sense of belonging in our schools. With all the hype about immigration even so far as people telling immigrants, even young people, to go home because we don't want them here doesn't convey to them a sense of belonging. Sadly, we even have educators who have this attitude. Ironically, some of these young people (and adults!) are home--this is the only country they know and they don't even speak their 1st language. A majority of them are U.S. citizens.

Maslow has belonging as the second rung of his hierarchy ladder, and Dr. William Glasser lists it as one of the five needs we all have in his "Choice Theory" for Quality Schools. Dr. William Purkey and Invitational Education elaborate on specifics schools can do to make schools inviting for ALL studnets, and thus provide a sense of belonging.

Clarence W. Joldersma from Calvin College has a chapter in the book Nurturing and Reflective Teachers that provides some new light on what it means in regards to the uniqueness of our students. He suggests that valuing uniqueness doesn't mean focusing on differences, or even similarities, but realizing that each child regardless of his/her contribution is irreplaceable as an image bearer of God--someone chosen by God "to be." [and therefore, belongs!] He goes on to say that educators serve God by pedagocally ministering to the needs of each student within his/her stewardship.

Spiritual leaders understand this need for belonging that each person within his/her stewardship has and therefore, will commit to do " whatever it takss," for each and everyone within his/her stewardship to have this need met.