One of the challenges
facing the youths in the church today is our topic for discussion; Untrained,
un-empowered and unapologetic leaders in the church.
Let’s define the key
words:
Untrained means not disciplined.
Un-empowered means lack of qualities and
abilities.
Apologetic means speaking in defence,
the act of defending a position.
Apologetic leaders are Christians Apologetics and
this is a field of Christian’s theology that presents reasoned bases for the
Christians.
Apologetics is a new
form of evangelism and the church leaders must be trained to provide answers
to the various questions presented by earnest seekers.
Apostle Peter in the
book of 1st Peter 3:14-15 encourages us with these words, “But even
if you should suffer for doing what is right, how happy are you; and do not be
afraid of anyone, and do not be troubled. But have reverence for Christ in your
heart, and honour him as Lord. Be ready at all times to answer anyone who asks
you to explain the hope you have in you, but do it with gentleness and respect”.
In the good old days,
young minds adhered strictly to almost all instructions given by their parents,
whom they see as their first leader or guardian as the case maybe. This
obedience continues towards their teachers in school and certainly elders and
leaders in the church. These days the reverse is the case owing to so many
factors of which the new media is one of them.
The younger minds of
today are very curious; they want to know the reason behind everything. The days
are gone when people especially the Youths swallow every information hook, line
and sinker regardless of who the originator or disseminator of the information
is. Inability to proffer answers to their questions leaves them with no option
than theirs. Now the question is: what is theirs? And this is where the
challenge comes in.
The Catholic Church is
one of those guilty of this; or do I say the leaders in the Catholic Church? In
a Mass of over one thousand parishioners for instance, if questions like these
are thrown to the congregation;
1. Why do we make the sign of cross before starting the holy Mass?
2. Why do we use incense for Mass?
3. Why do we make the sign of cross
on our forehead, lips and chest before the Priest reads the Gospel?
4. Why go for confession rather than
confess to God directly?
And so many other
questions I can bet that only a few parishioners will answer. All others are
mere participant who find themselves doing such things because they were born
into it or because they saw others doing it and feel it is right. I am also not
an exemption.
It means leaders in
the various societies; zones and organisations in the church are not trained,
empowered and apologetic.
We need to inculcate
in our youths the reasons why things are done in the manner in which they are
done. Special thanks to the associate parish priest who doubles as the Youth
Chaplain. Every Wednesday 7-9pm at the Church hall we discuss issues that
concern our faith as Catholics, Christians and the society at large. The Forum
is called the YOUCAT. I don’t know how many of us are aware or rather have been
participating.
Apologetics leaders are leaders who defend their
faith, teachings and their positions on issues. Lack of such leaders here in
our parish contributes to the challenges facing the youths. Seminars,
Lectures and Symposiums should be organised and made mandatory for all
leaders in the church. Many thanks to the Parish Priest for the annual
leadership workshop which holds in our parish for all leaders of zones,
organisations and societies. However I think a lot still needs to be done.
Lots of young minds
don’t attend the BCC (Basic Christian community) yet their friends or
colleagues will invite them for house fellowship and they would jump at it. The
leaders in the church needs to educate them that the BCC is our own version of
house fellowship.
I hope at the
end of this May devotion, leaders in the church will be more devoted to
teaching the doctrines of the church and down play on secular or routine
activities. In addition, youths should aspire to be great leaders irrespective
of the challenges they encounter.
Reasons should be
given for actions else assumption, confusion and negative conviction follows
suit. The book of Hosea 4:6 says ‘my people perish for lack of knowledge’.
Other CHALLENGES
includes YOUTH EXODUS, APATHY, NEW AGE INFILTRATION, ANTI-INTELLECTUALISM,
SYNCRETISM, RELIGION PERSECUTION, RELIGION FREEDOM AND ISSUES OF MARRIAGE.
By Amaka Monye
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