Welcome, Guest: Register On Nairaland / LOGIN! / Trending / Recent / NewStats: 3,198,273 members, 7,967,666 topics. Date: Sunday, 06 October 2024 at 04:01 AM |
Nairaland Forum / Nairaland / General / Religion / 5 Ways Nigerian Churches Drive Youths Away (37464 Views)
A Song Only People That Attend Nigerian Churches Can Relate To / 14 Things That Are Too Real About Ushers In Nigerian Churches / 10 Ways Nigerian Christians Are Killing Christianity But Don’t Know (2) (3) (4)
(1) (2) (3) (4) (Reply) (Go Down)
5 Ways Nigerian Churches Drive Youths Away by AllNaijaBlogger(m): 7:33am On Apr 23, 2015 |
Anyone that has had to take care of teenagers or young people in general knows that it is a very tedious task that requires patience and understanding. If a parent or guardian can’t relate to young people in terms of the prevalent youth culture at the time, the parent/guardian would face a great deal of frustration in directing most youths towards a moral path in life. What compounds this issue is that the internet and modern mass media have given young people so much information and opportunities such that parent/guardians can not keep up with their (the youth) thinking. This is also a problem for many churches as they are not keeping up with the needs of the youth of today. To lose the interest of the youth is to lose the future of the church and below, are five ways churches of today in Nigeria tend to drive these youths away from the house of God- 1) Ageism (adultism) and disrespect towards younger people by church staff From experience, I can say comfortably that Nigerian culture permeates Nigerian churches, and deeply rooted within Nigerian culture is adultocracy, in which the respect of the elderly and adults are prioritised sometimes at the expense of the youth. For instance, when waiting to see a pastor or reverend father, young people are made to wait for long periods with no information while an elderly person would be given a swift service- the older person would be told how long he or she is to wait and also be told about the whereabouts of the pastor/priest. Another instance is where ushers in the church shout at younger people when directing them to seat or move in the church hall but will be calm when they are directing older people. I have even seen it twice where a church staff member was shouting and embarrassing a teenage couple about "fornication" just because the couple were flirting in the church premises after the church service. As someone that has been to many churches of different denominations with various friends in those different churches, I can say that such behaviour is endemic and it needs to be changed. Young people too have rights and feelings. The discriminatory treatment turns the youth off from coming to church. 2) Lack of relevant preaching to youths Youth problems are far beyond "respect your parents and teachers". There are important moral issues facing the youth such as; sex, porn addiction, on the internet, bullying at school, abuse from adults, anti-social behaviours and so on. This is where churches need a good youth pastor who can relate to such youth problems. Many churches prefer to speak against pre-marital sex to teens and young people but they forget that the young people are more interested in how to approach the opposite sex or the person that they have a crush on. A good youth preacher would explain to the youth how to create a God-fearing relationship with their close friends or partners, rather than just spouting the usual anti-pre-marital sex doctrine. Also, when preaching to youth, Nigerian churches fail to use terms that the young people will understand. For instance, using a young musician like Wizkid to explain the problems with a materialistic life would be more relevant to youth than explaining it with plain theology. 3) Lack of youth programmes Many churches have little or no youth programmes that would interest the young people in the church. Even the ones that do have very boring programmes- they consider "choir and drama" to be everything young people need. Personally, I never could sing or act as a youth and so, I didn't really enjoy the youth programme in my church. There are other things that could engage the interest of the youth in church such as trips to religious sites/places and creative classes. Some churches have good youth programmes, I know of a few that have football matches among their youth,which is also a good idea. 4) Refusal to deal with "internet questions" There are a lot of facts and also nonsense on the internet. It is inevitable that young people will pick up strange things on the internet and will want clarification on such things. For instance, I remember a teenager asking a pastor about the Church of England's acceptance of gay priests- the pastor just concluded that the issue is beyond the teen's understanding. The teenager probably read it on the internet and was wondering if it was possible on the internet. The issue here is that pastors or priests should be ready for such controversial questions from the youth as they have curious minds at that age and are still learning. Dismissing their questions will only drive them to find questions elsewhere. Furthermore, not answering religious questions that pertain to the church makes it seem as if the church has something to hide. 5) Resistance to technology Some churches frown upon the use of Ipads or tablets to read bible passages. Some churches that have multi-million dollar buildings prefer to use televisions to broadcast educational material to youth members instead of multi-functional projectors. Some churches do not have a functional website that provides information on church activities. Times are changing and churches need to adapt. The youth are becoming more dependent on technology and there is a need to engage them on that level. http://allnaijablog.com/5-ways-nigerian-churches-drive-youths-away 60 Likes 10 Shares |
Re: 5 Ways Nigerian Churches Drive Youths Away by Chartey(m): 7:39am On Apr 23, 2015 |
Good article. 2 Likes 1 Share |
Re: 5 Ways Nigerian Churches Drive Youths Away by ITbomb(m): 7:56am On Apr 23, 2015 |
I see someone who was raised in an orthodox church eg Methodist, Apostolic, QIC, Catholic. Go to Christ Embassy and see youth taking charge of affairs and being elevated . If you are called to make a presentation in church or your youth circle, here is some tips that will make even the elders respect you. Click here to learn http://ityunit..com/2015/04/tips-for-making-nice-impression-with.html 11 Likes |
Re: 5 Ways Nigerian Churches Drive Youths Away by kelvyn7: 8:08am On Apr 23, 2015 |
money money money too where do u want a youth who has no job to get kudi from 37 Likes 2 Shares |
Re: 5 Ways Nigerian Churches Drive Youths Away by Danova(m): 11:18am On Apr 23, 2015 |
TRUTH BE TOLD.... |
Re: 5 Ways Nigerian Churches Drive Youths Away by AllNaijaBlogger(m): 7:53pm On Apr 23, 2015 |
kelvyn7: kudi? |
Re: 5 Ways Nigerian Churches Drive Youths Away by AllNaijaBlogger(m): 7:53pm On Apr 23, 2015 |
ITbomb: aCan you tell me more about the youth programme in Christ Embassy? 1 Like |
Re: 5 Ways Nigerian Churches Drive Youths Away by kelvyn7: 9:52pm On Apr 23, 2015 |
2 Likes |
Re: 5 Ways Nigerian Churches Drive Youths Away by Rainmaker69(m): 7:26am On Apr 24, 2015 |
Well said. Point of correction though, the correct word for your 1st point is 'Gerontocracy' not Adultocracy. Op, I hope you're doing something about implementing your observations in your local church. 8 Likes 1 Share |
Re: 5 Ways Nigerian Churches Drive Youths Away by AllNaijaBlogger(m): 2:46pm On Apr 24, 2015 |
Rainmaker69: I am trying but my church is a small church. By the way, a gerontocracy is a system of government. The more appropriate word in this context would be "adultocracy". 11 Likes |
Re: 5 Ways Nigerian Churches Drive Youths Away by oluseyiforjesus(m): 3:12pm On Apr 24, 2015 |
Pls I need example of these churches, b4 I comment........ |
Re: 5 Ways Nigerian Churches Drive Youths Away by AllNaijaBlogger(m): 4:14pm On Apr 24, 2015 |
oluseyiforjesus: I didnt put names because I didnt want anyone to engage in church bashing. I generalised so that anyone who feels his or her church is lacking in an aforementioned area can relate to it 4 Likes |
Re: 5 Ways Nigerian Churches Drive Youths Away by WASMOG(m): 7:10am On Apr 26, 2015 |
Spoiling runs 1 Like |
Re: 5 Ways Nigerian Churches Drive Youths Away by Matttthew(m): 7:10am On Apr 26, 2015 |
na them sabi naw.....But youths_ don't follow the multitude into destruction o. |
Re: 5 Ways Nigerian Churches Drive Youths Away by Sweetguy25: 7:11am On Apr 26, 2015 |
Can't remember the last time i went to church sef. Such a boring place. 4 Likes |
Re: 5 Ways Nigerian Churches Drive Youths Away by KingsleyCEO: 7:12am On Apr 26, 2015 |
You can't help the youth if they are not ready to trek from Lagos to Abuja... Lol. Start trekking |
Re: 5 Ways Nigerian Churches Drive Youths Away by 1stola: 7:12am On Apr 26, 2015 |
Una see una life 1 Like
|
Re: 5 Ways Nigerian Churches Drive Youths Away by habeebcole: 7:12am On Apr 26, 2015 |
buydata 2 Likes 1 Share
|
Re: 5 Ways Nigerian Churches Drive Youths Away by haibe(m): 7:12am On Apr 26, 2015 |
I totally agree |
Re: 5 Ways Nigerian Churches Drive Youths Away by brightko: 7:13am On Apr 26, 2015 |
serious? |
Re: 5 Ways Nigerian Churches Drive Youths Away by saxwizard(m): 7:13am On Apr 26, 2015 |
maybe op wic chu u dey go... |
Re: 5 Ways Nigerian Churches Drive Youths Away by emjoe1: 7:14am On Apr 26, 2015 |
k |
Re: 5 Ways Nigerian Churches Drive Youths Away by brightko: 7:14am On Apr 26, 2015 |
land for sale |
Re: 5 Ways Nigerian Churches Drive Youths Away by boman2014: 7:14am On Apr 26, 2015 |
Not to mention that jobless youth have to part with their hard-earn money as tithe or offerings 4 Likes |
Re: 5 Ways Nigerian Churches Drive Youths Away by Nobody: 7:14am On Apr 26, 2015 |
For the answers to some of the questions raised just ask any one of Jehovah's witnesses for the book 'Questions Young People ask, anwers that work' Vol 1&11. It answers most of the questions that Young ones do ask with scriptural citations. It has helped me. I guess it does to you. #ThankMeLater 6 Likes |
Re: 5 Ways Nigerian Churches Drive Youths Away by Nobody: 7:14am On Apr 26, 2015 |
It's not about youth or adult preachers and traditional programmes? I thought the focus is on God! Religion has convinced people that there's an invisible man . . . living in the sky. Who watches everything you do every minute of every day. And the invisible man has a list of 10 specific things he doesn't want you to do. And if you do any of these things, he will send you to a special place, of burning and fire and smoke and torture and anguish for you to live forever, and suffer, and burn, and scream, until the end of time. But he loves you. He loves you. He loves you and he needs money 3 Likes 2 Shares |
Re: 5 Ways Nigerian Churches Drive Youths Away by Exponental(m): 7:15am On Apr 26, 2015 |
hmmmmn.... |
Re: 5 Ways Nigerian Churches Drive Youths Away by Nobody: 7:15am On Apr 26, 2015 |
I agree with ur point on adultocracy,it happens a lot sometimes it goes as far as a Church worker beating a teenager. |
Re: 5 Ways Nigerian Churches Drive Youths Away by Nobody: 7:17am On Apr 26, 2015 |
no body i driving the youth away, religion was an enslavement tool that was used against our primitive forefathers, while the world was advancing technologically our fathers were here clapping, singing and praying to the sky, but today the youths are getting wiser, they have access to information and they have questions that religion is yet to provide answers to. its mental evolution.... 2 Likes |
Re: 5 Ways Nigerian Churches Drive Youths Away by mcdokwe(m): 7:18am On Apr 26, 2015 |
The youths are running away and not the other way round |
Somalis----are we not great / Is It Good For Married People To Watch Porn? / Should A Christian Also Read The "Sixth And Seventh Books Of Moses"?
(Go Up)
Sections: politics (1) business autos (1) jobs (1) career education (1) romance computers phones travel sports fashion health religion celebs tv-movies music-radio literature webmasters programming techmarket Links: (1) (2) (3) (4) (5) (6) (7) (8) (9) (10) Nairaland - Copyright © 2005 - 2024 Oluwaseun Osewa. All rights reserved. See How To Advertise. 33 |