Factors that influence participation of youth in church growth and development: A case study of Runogone Circuit, Kaaga synod

Abstract

The. purpose of the study was to identify, psychosocial factors that influence the participation of the youth in church growth and development. The world we are living in today has brought a lot of changes in human life and caused great effect to many. The youth, especially, have been held or tied by some other factors that have led them to forget the church. The number of youth is declining as years go by. Environmental factors bring many changes to the lives of everyone these days especially due to technology leading to non-participation. Other factors like secularism, lack of parental commitment to the lifestyles of their children and the way in which the old church denominations have held to the old systems of running the church has much affected the youth. In order to satisfy themselves the youth look for alternative ways. In this study, case study research design was used. The target population comprised of all Christians of Runogone Circuit because it was a case study. They included 130 men 200 women and 259 youth members. Questionnaires were administered through the chair person's men fellowship, women fellowship and the youth. The data was analyzed using descriptive statistics. The results of the study were presented in frequency tables and percentages. The study concluded that; Secularism affects the livelihood of young people by tying them to the worldly affairs hence • driving them away from participation in church growth and development; Environmental factors also affect the youth participation in church growth and development. Parents give the youth either too much freedom or are less concerned in what activities they undertake towards church growth and development. The church leaders in their bid to protect the church to its tradition have made the youth to run away from the church, some to the upcoming denomination and others run completely away from church. On the basis of the study findings, recommendations were made that; the church should take the first step in trying to encourage the youth to participate in church growth and development and teach them on the need to serve God, the church should teach young people on the effects of the environmental factors and how these factors can affect their lives. The youth should be educated on the effects of negative behavior, drug abuse and lack of being responsible to themselves. Parents should be in the frontline to cultivate the behavior of their children at an early age so as to encourage them to be responsible. Before handing over the children to the church, the parents should prepare them in their background at home. The church leaders should set good examples to the youth and try to embrace change without losing the focus of the church that they may retain and attract the youth back to the church.