₦airaland Forum

AllNaijaBlogger:
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

Very interesting article you wrote except number 5 point. I do not support the use of bible verses installed on tablets in place of traditional Bible. You may have porn videos, images in that tablet or phone which you are using as your Bible, doesn't that make it unholy Can you use the bible installed on your tablet or phone to drive away demon like you would use your traditional Holy Bible

Church shouldn't adapt some technology, especially that bible on tablets and phones. You can install them for your personal Bible study but don't take them to church in place of your traditional hardcover Holy Bible, its not accepted by me, reason I don't take my phone nor tablet to church....have even dashed my tab out though. Well done

MrPresident:
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....

Totally correct.

awesome truth

Sweetguy25:
Can't remember the last time i went to church sef. Such a boring place.

na my girl friend dey force me make I go church with am sef,if not sunday na friday for me o,una no dey hear about bomb blast in d church

I can't remember the last time I went to church cus it always boring for ma liking #God forgive mi shay

gbl01:
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

lmao u really cracked me up But Dude.....u need understanding

Two churches on Earth that I can vouch for are Hillsong and Christ Embassy.

These two are models for youth inclusive churches.The youth are very active as the churches endeavor to answer most of their bugging questions.

These churches respect their youths and address every issue tabled before them rather than keeping them at arms length with conservative views and doctrines but an open and inclusive gathering.

AllNaijaBlogger:
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

uv sed it all, d church h a gr8 work to do in terms of givin correct ans to diff questions d youth r askin on daily basis. I once sed in church dat very soon our normal paper bibles we carry abt will soon b out dated n b replaced wit d ebible n dey wer lyk "oh my goodness dis girl is bkslidin!*

ETHIX:
Please know that the ultimate aim of all christian is to make heaven while others follow.

Attend MFM you will see improvement in your life and you will testify.

Religious madness!

Who tell you say the ultimate aim of all Christian is make heaven?



Brother, go and read your Bible well, and stop preaching rubbish

oluseyiforjesus:
Pls I need example of these churches, b4 I comment........

Oluwalowo!

Ok

SeverusSnape:
Bad.

Ugly

humilitypays:
Very interesting article you wrote except number 5 point. I do not support the use of bible verses installed on tablets in place of traditional Bible. You may have porn videos, images in that tablet or phone which you are using as your Bible, doesn't that make it unholy Can you use the bible installed on your tablet or phone to drive away demon like you would use your traditional Holy Bible

Church shouldn't adapt some technology, especially that bible on tablets and phones. You can install them for your personal Bible study but don't take them to church in place of your traditional hardcover Holy Bible, its not accepted by me, reason I don't take my phone nor tablet to church....have even dashed my tab out though. Well done

this is where d hipocrisy really lives...if d bible isnt in your heart, you wont chase any 'demon' away....whoever watches porn has it in d heart and not d physical thing u see on their phones...do u say because dey use dier hand to self-service, when they touch the bible, it becomes unholy? it is not the bible dat saves you, it is d knowledge of d bible dat does....my people didnt perish because dey didnt av traditional bibles my perish because they lack knowledge....stop peddling this fallacy!

humilitypays:
Very interesting article you wrote except number 5 point. I do not support the use of bible verses installed on tablets in place of traditional Bible. You may have porn videos, images in that tablet or phone which you are using as your Bible, doesn't that make it unholy Can you use the bible installed on your tablet or phone to drive away demon like you would use your traditional Holy Bible

Church shouldn't adapt some technology, especially that bible on tablets and phones. You can install them for your personal Bible study but don't take them to church in place of your traditional hardcover Holy Bible, its not accepted by me, reason I don't take my phone nor tablet to church....have even dashed my tab out though. Well done

Do you think its by pointing your hard cover bible to the devil that he will run away or by the words you speak? You've forgotten even the devil himself knows God's word more than you

1stola:
Una see una life

Abeg who b d goat?

haibe:
I totally agree

whats ur name ....... are u habeeb?

Sweetguy25:
Can't remember the last time i went to church sef. Such a boring place.

beta wake up n have a rethink about ur soul. God help u

Monikween:
lmao u really cracked me up But Dude.....u need understanding

Hope you've ever heard of 'Satire'?

ITbomb:
.
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

You have a super informative blog... Big ups

kelvyn7:
money money money too
where do u want a youth who has no job to get kudi from

I wonder.

This is my pee with many churches is the one below so i have decided to build my own church in my heart.



4) Refusal to deal with "internet questions"[/b]
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.

Give me that old time religion; give that old time religion it's good enough for mee. GOD CAN NEVER BE BENT& BLENDED TO YOUR EVIL.

1one:
You have a super informative blog... Big ups

Thanks so much
Our aim is to create an information mine on an easy to navigate platform (no matter your device or browser)
Is there anything we can improve on http://ityunit..com ?

Programme for the youth my foot. Evil&perverse generation.You cannot bend God to suite you.You need Him,He Doesnt need you.

ITbomb:
Thanks so much
Our aim is to create an information mine on an easy to navigate platform (no matter your device or browser)
Is there anything we can improve on http://ityunit..com ?

True to that, I found it very fluid in use. If I have any opinions on ways to improve, I'd be sure to let you know.

AllNaijaBlogger:
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

So where do the youths run to? Our problem is that we do not know God.

mcdokwe:
The youths are running away and not the other way round

Let's really hope they are. Their counterparts in Nairobi, Maputo, China, are acquiring skills and education for the future while our youths are going to night vigils and prayer worships. Trust me, countries like Mozambique, Botswana, Tanzania, and even Ghana have already overtaken us.

Good governance, education and investment in infrastructure between 1999-2015 in some African countries will become evident in coming years(naija is not one of them)Sometimes I cry when I go to these places and see how far they've come in a decade. We may have the most Ferraris but this countries have a better quality of life.
what we don't need is our youths being prayer warriors. Their energy should be channelled into creative ideas in arts, sports and education.
Nigeria is an a perfect example for why religion is a waste. We're the most religious yet the most corrupt.

More importantly, these youths have now figured the game out. They know the system is corrupt in and out of the church and they don't want to hear that sh..t anymore.
Hopefully these youths will revolt against the system, causing mayhem and reordering our priorities. The Agbalagbas have destroyed the youth's future. 2 generations destroyed and another on the way.

So on point....dats true

eudoh940:
Abeg who b d goat?

temitemi1 SeverusSnape Mogidi ozoigbondu ondu and others

AllNaijaBlogger:
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

op has officially made my day