Role of Youth in The Church: Gladys Kerubo Ragira, Dr. Rispah N. Wepukhulu, Dr. Savala Angeline
Role of Youth in The Church: Gladys Kerubo Ragira, Dr. Rispah N. Wepukhulu, Dr. Savala Angeline
Role of Youth in The Church: Gladys Kerubo Ragira, Dr. Rispah N. Wepukhulu, Dr. Savala Angeline
Abstract: The youth and their well-being have been neglected by the society which gives priority to false
success images as opposed to the youth well-being. In today’s church, of all the teenagers’ diverse viewpoints, it
cannot be ignored that the youth are the church and the world both in the present and the future. This is seen as
in their support for the church members who are adults in teaching them and assuming church responsibilities in
the future when they grow older. In contrast, the youth today have been known to take a nosedive into the
technological and consumerism distracting worlds that lead to destruction of their spiritual attachment with
Jesus as well as their ties with the family. As is evidence, the dominating secular culture in the world deprives
the youth of personal, economic and spiritual tools which will aid the young generation into being Christ’s
disciples. In turn, the young generation has sought to neglect their role in spreading the gospel and settled for
less since they have been ignored by the society.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- ----------
Date of Submission: 17-11-2017 Date of acceptance: 09-12-2017
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- ----------
I. INTRODUCTION
The youth have a big role is the ministry which can only be possible through adults demonstrating to
them that a discipleship and love culture is embraced in the church (Day & Kurtz, 2017). In our various
churches, the youth have been deprived of proper assets for development from the church, parents and school to
help them grow and spread the gospel. Such assets will assist in preventing the youths from premarital sexual
behavior, drug abuse and anti-social behavior which are rated high risk behaviors. This way, the level of
responsibility and pro-social behaviors among the youths will be encouraged and spread by youths to their
fellows in the church hence promoting living standards that are healthy and spiritually effective to yield
successful and responsible adult society. To boost these efforts, the church must incorporate contemporary
stratagems to the youth ministry in establishing the growth of youths. The elders have a role to be flexible and
adjust to the ever changing needs of youths through updating and matching the youth energy and vitality while
avoiding old models. The youth must therefore in the long-run not to dilute the gospel message but discover
how to live out the good news and encourage others to do so (Nielson, 2016).
III. CONCLUSION
In the church, the youth can do so much through volunteering to work with both children and the older
congregation in many ways. They can as well reach out to people who are close to their own age who are
walking through doors that the older church leaders may never understand. They are crucial and the church must
tap this talent and energy owing to the fact that the church is one generation away from extinction as is believed
that tomorrow’s church leadership belongs to the youth. With this respect, it is self-evident that the church must
be serious on their commitment to the youth and give them priority in today’s church. It is not true to be hesitant
as elderly church ministers that they could effectively minister the youth or prematurely conclude that youths
have no interest in serving God. In as much as they think about latest secular music and movie stars, they should
be made to serve God in the church through music and other areas where best talented so as to prevent them
from engaging in worldly destruction pleasures. Hence, the only value we as Christians can give to the church
today is to take care of the youths and value them as this will reward the youths, the church and the whole global
community now and in the coming future.
REFERENCES
[1]. Campbell, C. M. C. (2000). Renewing the vision: Reformed faith for the 21st century. Louisville, Ky:
Geneva Press.
[2]. Chancey, D., & Bruner, R. (2017). Owning faith: Reimagining the role of church & family in the faith
journey of teenagers. Abilene, Texas : Leafwood Publishers.
[3]. Day, D., & Kurtz, C. (2017). The reckless way of love: Notes on following Jesus. Walden : Plough
Publishing House.
[4]. Nielson, J. (2016). Faith that lasts: Raising kids that don't leave the church. Fort Washington, PA : CLC
Publications.
[5]. Thompson, N. (2017). Young People and Church Since 1900: Engagement and Exclusion. London :
Taylor and Francis.
Gladys Kerubo Ragira "Role of Youth In The Church.” IOSR Journal Of Humanities And
Social Science (IOSR-JHSS). vol. 22 no. 12, 2017, pp. 49-52.