Tuesday, September 8, 2009

Youth and church

Does the church understand the youths of today? As we all know every generation of kids popping out into this world there is a new mentality which is basically more modern in materialism and the way i see more backward in thought. having to have that hypothesis in mind and also the current challenges everyone faces (in terms of youths) it is hard to manage these youths. The church cannot use authoritative power over these people - they would simply run. Rules is also a no no. Guidelines is also a maybe. To address this issue the church would 1st need to understand the psychological nature of youths both the natural and the worldly. Adolescence is a period os soul, identity seeking and also personality developement. And we know there are 3 theories of personality development. Understanding them and using the tricks acquired from them only can the church address the youths. The youths needs guidelines thought its a 'maybe' and should be well received with open arms. The church should allow them to make mistakes and also at the same time allow them to be independent - give them room to explore. Let them question their faith. There is nothing for us to hide in Christianity as the truth is always there. What i mean by allowing to do mistakes is that make sure u told them its wrong, when they make the mistake accept them back and show them God, but dont condemn them.
Adolescence is a dynamic period of life therefore a dynamic approach would be good. they dont like to be controlled....let them be as they are but always be at their side.
Lately the church has centralized the university youths into the larger mother body on youths called ASAYO. this has left us now to follow what the big body does. Unsure on how are the details of the organization but i presume that the CSSes would end up as single independent body already. All university youths are required to join the church youths. It is simply to large to handle for a particular parish to have about 100o youths wanting to do something not to forget other church ministries and their activities. More university youths will stop coming to church. More youths will start to despise the church for not understanding them and these youths will grow up and grow away form the church and then later will bear children further away form he church. SO now - what will be the future of the church. Is it not like the church is setting a time bomb for itself???
However sometimes we cannot put absolute blame on the church policy makers as they are by nature old fashioned, apathetic, and out of touch. For them the concept of rule by law and centralization and typical hierarchy is tattooed into their mind. Therefor we can only wait for hope of a change probably starting with a change of leadership. But at the same time we should not continue to fight the new system but try to work our way around it or withing it. Perhaps some if not more good can still come out of it. I feel that most system implemented fail not due to the system per say but it is due mostly by the members in it.
Although we disagree to certain things the church does we should not run from the reality that it is run by humans who are sinners themselves and for more who are we compared to those religious in such matter for us to judge and brand and we too are not perfect either. Our church has lived for 2009 yrs with God's grace and we should turn to Him and pray for the betterment of our Church and also for those policy makers. If we do not do such that makes us protestants.
We need to be obedient to out Holy Mother Church on which Jesus has built on the rock - Peter, our Faith and Our God Jesus Christ!

Amen - peace.

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