LACK OF TRAINED/EMPOWERED APOLOGETIC LEADERS - BY MONYE AMAKA

Date of Topic Delivery: 22nd May, 2015

CHALLENGES FACING YOUTHS: LACK OF TRAINED EMPOWERED AND APOLOGETIC LEADERS. By Amaka Monye 22/05/2015

There are so many challenges facing the youths in this modern age of technology. Parental Neglect, Quest for materialism, Impatient, lack of respect for elders, Drug addiction, Westernisation amongst others. These challenges are faced by youths in the various segments of the society: schools, homes, and the church of course. One of the challenges facing the youths in the church is our topic for discussion Untrained, un-empowered and unapologetic leaders in the church are not an exemption.

Let’s define the various words : Untrainedmeans 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 Apologetic which is a field of Christian’s theology that presents reasoned bases for the Christians

 

Apologetic is the new form of evangelism and  church leaders must be trained to provide  answers to the various questions brought by earnest seekers. Peter himself said in Peter3:14-16 “but even if you should suffer for doing what is right, how happy you are! Do not be afraid of anyone, and do not worry. But have reverence for Christ in your heart, and honour him as Lord. Be ready at all times to answer any one 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 adhere 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 which the new media is one of them.

This present age want to know why certain things if not everything should be done. I mean 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 you throw questions like

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 you only a few parishioners will answer. All others do because they were born into it or because they saw others doing it and feelit’s right. I am not an exemption.

It means leaders in our various society, 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 at 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. That Forum is called the YOUCAT. I don’t know how many of us are aware or rather have been participating. Just a few.

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 sneedstobe done.

Lots of young minds don’t attend the BCC (basic Christian community) yet their friends or colleagueswill 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 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 vs 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.