This is largely due to over-reaction of many traditional Christians to new expressions of faith and culture. I say conformingbecause as the late sociologist Robert Bellah often commentedin doing ones own thing one is not being different or radical but merely conforming to the American cultural value system of individualism (for most are doing the same thing). Generation 21 is going to live through the deaths of their friends over and over again in the next century. What is different today is the ubiquity of social media that tends to increase the liquefaction of society. Abortion, homosexuality, poverty, capitalism, gender, sexuality, genetical engineering, affirmative action, revolution, ethnic cleansing are all old issues which will assume greater significance as the new century dawns. Mila Jones. CHALLENGES OF THE 21ST CENTURY CHRISTIAN YOUTHS AND THE WAY OUT RESULT OF THE CHALLENGES: The Word of God warns that in the last days many professing believers in Christ will be "Having a form of godliness but denying the power thereof" (2Tim.3:5). sociologist Zygmunt Bauman names Modernism takes it as axiomatic that there is only one true answer to every problem, from which it follows that if we can correctly formulate those answers, the world could be controlled and rationally ordered. The bishops document agrees: with the advent of social media, this has led to new challenges over the extent to which media companies have power over the lives of young people. There were laws forbidding abortion, gambling, pornography, certain activities on a Sunday, etc. Churches with larger youth groups are often more willing to invest in the program by increasing staffing and budgets. Groome Christian Religious Education: Sharing Our Story and Our Vision. So why a crash course in postmodernism? Also see: Important lessons to learn in your 20s to be successful. As Americans, we live in a culture that Polish The usual metaphors used in understanding the character of God may no longer be accessible to Generation 21. At this stage the new convert isnt even sure of what his new family is like. Computer presentations are the norm. Modernism is basically the world view which drew the line between science and religion, faith and superstition, truth and veracity. 10. D. Johncon, R. Johnson & E. Holubec. Whenever a child talks about peer pressure, the parent(s) should not hesitate to take the necessary actions in other to restrict such. But how did traditions slip away? Youth today have the opportunity to be more conscious about staying put and upholding and honoring their religious and familial traditions more so than previous generations because we are more aware today of the negative fallout of mobility, moving away, separation, and physical dispersion. Long one way sermons will no longer communicate. The result is broken marriages, broken politics, broken cities, a broken culture, and broken human beings. The Word and the Spirit. Also see: Powers and Functions of the Three Arms of Government. on. For this program to have a lasting effect, an ecosystem around the youths work should be built. As a leading center of the New Evangelization, Sacred Heart serves the needs of the Archdiocese of Detroit and contributes to the mission of the universal Church. 2, Page 18. http://www.christianity.net/ct/7T2/7T218a.html. What does it mean to be a disciple of Jesus Christ in the twenty-first century? I love it. Ultimately, funding for mission work comes primarily through Gods people, and sacrificial giving remains the predominant Biblical pattern. Programme centred evangelism will focus on the production of quality programmes with the intention of drawing large crowds of young people. However, given their cynicism and pessimism, they have lowered their expectations vis-a-vis relationships: their potential duration, the number of significant bonds, and their fervor to create a wide pool of contacts. Indeed, Durkheim found a correlation between mobility and suicide: those who are more mobile experience less robust social connections (loss of community) and are hence more likely to commit suicide. This is not even to mention the spiritual themes in music, and of course, Hollywood movies. My story must matter. But legislative bureaucracy and nervous banks have created a climate that is not suitable for this kind of development in South Africa. In every generation, all over the world young Christians face challenges. For example we must help youth see that immoral behaviour hurts people it hurts their individual development and it hurts their relationships with others. Quoted in the Natal Mercury, front page story, 5 August 1999. And if staying put means continuing your father or mothers occupation or business all the more should accolades be showered on you for maintaining the tradition. Both personal and corporate worship are going to change. Oh, there is another thing: I still have a Bible, which sheds divine light on the matters of life for young and old alike. For Generation 21 outward appearance is not going to be a measure of spirituality. him I would miss him. Downers Grove: IVP, 1995. An exception may be in the financial resources required yet even in this solution, it may mean a redistribution of resources rather than finding huge amounts of new resources. The only growing group is that of the Independent Churches, which doubled their membership5. They always put up a struggle in other to gain the recognition and respect of public officials and are always seen in the light of lacking the required skill and experience required for the political task ahead. We are seeing a surge in the cases of depression and other mental illnesses, which are mainly linked with high stress. 5. Time has changed the pace at which we live life has accelerated terrifically. If you are planning to teach this course, and would like the latest version, contact May-Ellen Colon . How can the Church reach out to people of other faiths, including Islam? There are a number of excellent introductions to postmodernism from a Christian perspective. As the document states: The pervasiveness of digital and social media in the world of young people is evident. A church which has no input into the social life and welfare of the community is a church that is out of touch, and perceived to be out of touch, with the very people it claims to serve. The Class of 00 In Christianity Today. They do not care who shot J.R. and have no idea who J.R. is. Pastors will be teachers and disciplers, preparing the congregation for the work of the ministry. The answer is twofold. I have argued before about how the parish can help in this post-modern liquid society by providing community (Mosaic, 2014). Any extracurricular activity sucks up their time like a sponge. "Sexual and financial scandals; a clergy ill-prepared to engage effectively with the young; the passive role assigned to the young within the Christian community; the Church's difficulty in explaining her doctrine and ethical positions to the society can understandably discourage the youth." Abstract. Because it is the world view that is defining next centurys generation of young people (to whom we will refer as Generation 21) young people who are going to be. Given this liquid post-modernity, where else will youth hear the message of forgiveness, love, kindness, and mercy other than the family? Specifically, he believed physically moving away from ones tribe was a laceration to the social bodymoving leaves the communal body bleeding. A Primer on Postmodernism. To reduce the increase of drug abuse in the society, the youth should be sensitized on the effects of drug abuse to their body and the society. Pg. Postmodernism is characterised by paradox, especially in its expression. We need to be prepared to facilitate this. document.getElementById( "ak_js_1" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); Your email address will not be published. One of the clearest books on the issue is Greg Ogdens The New Reformation: Returning the Ministry to the People of God. Unintended consequences: teen pregnancy and abstinence campaigns, The role of women leaders in the local church. Cape Town: Human & Rousseau, 1999. Never Mind the Millennium. Abstract This paper attempts to explicate the Challenges Facing the Christian family in order to communicating the vision of God to Youths in Africa. Many Christian youths are like this. Initially, Durkheims question motivated many sociologists to study immigrants as most experience a severe rupture of their social bonds. So, the message might simply be: Youth, be bold, dont move. Please see ooredoo . They dont know the difference between a tenet from the Bible and a sonnet from Shakespeare. The youth are faced with so many challenges and difficulties that it almost makes it hard for them to function well in the society, some of these challenges are: 1. What one consistently notices is that while it takes different strategies to reach different kids (unchurched, churched, urban , rural, leaders, followers etc), most of them can be reached if one person whom they trust builds tight community (close relationships) with them. One of the greatest challenges facing Christendom in the twenty-first century will be our response as a community of faith to the multitude of ethical dilemmas already emerging in general society. In particular, eat meals together, especially the Eucharist. If we set out sights on a target of 1 youth worker per 10 000 school going young people, we would need 1600 professional youth workers. Physically moving only means starting all over again. What does it mean to be radically different? Although Christianitys truth claims have been questioned, most people have at least had some grounding in Christianity before asking such questions. Menu. The study of young adults focused on those who were regular churchgoers Christian church during their teen years and explored their reasons for disconnection from church life after age 15. And then once that culture has been penetrated and youth come to know Christ, lets not demand that young people lose their culture. . They dont memorise scripture like we did in the old days.. Whenever a youth(s) is given an opportunity to participate in politics, they usually give it their best with so much willingness, positivity and the intention to effect a lasting change with the opportunities they were given. This strategy can work in drawing numbers, but remains faceless, and in itself is unlikely to result in a lasting impact in the life of a young person. Because of God's heart for young people, it is important to recognize their value in today's church. Also see: How to become the best version of yourself. The key to solving this problem, according to well-known South African forecaster, Clem Sunter14, is to develop small businesses and encourage entrepreneurs. Being radically different means having a heart for God it doesnt mean being good enough or spiritual enough, according to anyone elses standards! Many churches have maintained active church-life by leveraging on internet-mediated technology as alternative means of doing church. It is this meaning and function that the church is rejecting, but unfortunately they have rejected the whole concept with their rejection of the way non-Christians use it. Bill Price and Associates3, doing similar research in South Africa, have found the statistics to be slightly better in South Africa, with only 1 in 3 young people currently experiencing family breakdown, yet the trend is downwards. Modernism lent itself to memorisation, rote learning, recall, focus, hard and long hours of learning, long school hours (including Sunday School) and great discipline (getting up early spending hours in Gods word). Thats why we grew up on Creation Evolution debates, Disco (very tangible beat and structured dance form), long theological debates, proving the existence of God and cerebral reasoning. A place of nurture and not of judgment or of insistence of outward conformity. 21. They need to be taught honesty and integrity when for the last sixteen years theyve survived the streets through shrewdness and movie ethics. Lets not make native Americans and Africans dress like Europeans in order to be acceptable worshippers. Youth could be defined as the time or stage in life when a person is young which is usually between the time of childhood and adulthood (which could be said to be maturity). With an estimated 17 million South Africans below the age of 18, any serious attempt to launch youth ministry programmes must address itself to the vast numerical challenges: How many youth workers do we need in South Africa? rather than the more parochial Where can we find a youth worker for our church? SAQA (the South African Qualifications Authority) has already begun setting up guidelines for minimum qualifications for various industries, including youth work. Its that stage in life when one is filled with vigor, freshness, good appearance, agility etc. This paper was originally published in 2003 in the Baptist Journal of Theology (South Africa). Most times, it is being influenced by some factors which could include intake of hard substance, personality problems (disorders), physiological deficiencies, and violent media. Instead methods need to be innovative, short and interactive. The rich are getting richer, and the poor poorer. It is their innovativeness, character and will power that defines developmental trajectory. Mobility is a laceration because dispersed members are unable to gather and participate in the social ritual practices (religious practices) that provide identity and a sense of belonging in this liquid world.
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