Youth Migration From Foursquare to New Generation Churches in Festac Region
Chapter One
Objective of the study
The objective of the study is to ascertain the causes of youth migration from foursquare church to new generation churches in festac region. The specific objectives are;
- To find out the proffer factors responsible for the migration of youth from Foursquare church to new generation churches in festac region, Lagos
- To find out whether the migration of youth from Foursquare church to new generation churches in festac region of Lagos is consider as church growth
- To find out responsible for this dichotomy
CHAPTER TWO
LITERATURE REVIEW
Youth and Ministry in Context
Youth is the state or period of being young. This stage has been variously defined by many scholars. Youth is defined as the time period when one is young, between childhood and adulthood. Although some scholars do not concur with the various age limit proposed for youth, an appreciable percentage do accept the United Nations’ proposal of 15 – 24 as the best suitable. The African Union in its Youth Charter designates a youth to be one between the ages of 15 and 35. In Ghana, a person is considered a youth if his or her age ranges between 15 – 35 years and they constitute 33% of the total populace The youthful period is characteristic of freshness, vigour and lively spirit with underlying behavioural patterns. This youthful period presents a lot of challenges and crises to many of them(Mante, J.O. Y, 2000) According to Kroger and her colleagues, many things change during adolescence and young adulthood. They see the youth as unstable, erratic and less religious unless influenced. It is therefore possible to see the youth migrate to different churches with a little influence or inducement from a friend or anybody(Nyarko, I. A, 2013). Like every other human group, young people have their interests, likes and dislikes which must be strategically factored into programming by churches to get the best out of this group. Else, they will move towards the very source of attention and attraction where they feel their temporal and spiritual needs will be met or at least appear to be met. Immanuel Carl affirms that most youth follow their passions and relegate rationality into oblivion. The youth are not completely satisfied unless for a minimal period. They are also insatiable like every other human. For this reason, some youth do not actually consider their church denominations or affiliations when it comes to perusing their future goals such as pastoral ministry, jobs, marriage, and education and so on. It is possible to see the youth migrate from one church to another in fulfillment of any of these needs in life. Currently, the context of youth ministry in many churches differ(Ofori J. K., 2018). Retaining the youth in mission churches has led to the establishment of various youth ministries so that the youth may stay. Some Ghanaian mission churches have always strived to keep up to date with events regarding young people even though for some churches, this quest presents a daunting challenge. In attempt to deal with these challenges, various strategies are employed by churches targeted towards revamping youth interest in their churches and to some extent stop youth migration as much as possible. Besides these strategies, it remains an undeniable fact that some youth from these mission churches still migrate to Pentecostal and Charismatic churches.
Pentecostal/Charismatic Churches Attraction to Upwardly Mobile Youth
Some observers have pointed out that many of the Christian youth are attracted to Pentecostalism and Charismatism in Ghana. Various reasons as discussed above in this paper suggest that the relationship between the youth and Pentecostalism/Charismatism is insuperable. To a large extend, the claims, assumptions, inspiration and projections of Pentecostalism appears to be youthful. There are several reasons or factors that may account for the undineable attraction of the youth to Pentecostalism and Charismatism in Ghana. (Asamoah-Gyadu, 2017) has outlined some identifying features of the Charismatic ministries which are currently adopted by other Pentecostal churches in Ghana. He observes the following: a special attraction for Ghana’s ‘upwardly mobile youth’; a lay oriented leadership; ecclesiastical office based on a person’s charismatic gifting; innovative use of modern media technologies; particular concern with church growth;
Chapter Three
Research methodology
Research Design
The research design adopted in this research work is the survey research design which involves the usage of self-designed questionnaire in the collection of data. Under the survey research design, primary data of this study will be collected from youths at Festac region of Lagos state in order to determine the youth migration from Foursquare to new generation churches in Festac region. The design was chosen because it enables the researcher to collect data without manipulation of any variables of interest in the study. The design also provides opportunity for equal chance of participation in the study for respondents.
Population of Study
The population of study is the census of all items or a subject that possess the characteristics or that have the knowledge of the phenomenon that is being studied (Asiaka, 1991). It also means the aggregate people from which the sample is to be drawn.
Population is sometimes referred to as the universe. The population of this research study will be Seventy-five (75) youths resident at festac region in Lagos state
Sample Size and Sampling Techniques
The researcher made use of stratified sampling technique because all the members have the same probability of occurrence. The researcher narrowed down the samples to youths residents at Festac region of Lagos state in order to determine the youth migration from Foursquare to new generation churches in Festac region.
In this study, the researcher used the [TARO YAMANE FORMULA] to determine the sample size.
CHAPTER FOUR
DATA PRESENTATION, ANALYSIS AND DISCUSSION
This chapter is about the analysis and presentation of data collected from the field through questionnaire. The analysis of the data with particular question immediately followed by the presentation of findings.
As mentioned in chapter three, 75 questionnaires were administered and 50 were retrieved and necessary analysis was carried out on them and presented as follows:
CHAPTER FIVE
SUMMARY, CONCLUSION AND RECOMMENDATION
Introduction
It is important to ascertain that the objective of this study was to ascertain youth migration from Foursquare to new generation churches in fectac region. In the preceding chapter, the relevant data collected for this study were presented, critically analyzed and appropriate interpretation given. In this chapter, certain recommendations made which in the opinion of the researcher will be of benefits in addressing the challenges of youth migration from Foursquare to new generation churches in fectac region
Summary
This study was on youth migration from Foursquare to new generation churches in fectac region. Three objectives were raised which included: To find out the proffer factors responsible for the migration of youth from Foursquare church to new generation churches in festac region, Lagos, to find out whether the migration of youth from Foursquare church to new generation churches in festac region of Lagos is consider as church growth and to find out responsible for this dichotomy. The total population for the study is 75 youths resident at festac region of Lagos state. The researcher used questionnaires as the instrument for the data collection. Descriptive Survey research design was adopted for this study. The data collected were presented in tables and analyzed using simple percentages and frequencies
Conclusion
Tailoring messages to suit the youth is key in their retention in mission churches because this is the gap targeted and filled by the Foursquare church and new generation Churches. It is pertinent that church leadership especially mission churches adopt modern technology in an ambience of dynamism and pragmatism. In this way the drift of young people can be checked if the messages are relevant and technology modernized
Recommendation
- The youth groups in Foursquare Churches should be functionally involved by the leadership in the plans and activities of their churches. Mission Churches with few youth groups must devised strategies to task the youth with church activities and programmes to sustain their interest. It is important that the youth groups in Foursquare Churches organize evangelism, skills and vocational training, workshops, recreation, ‘worship nights’ and fun games periodically with the youth in mind.
- By virtue of emotional intelligence, concerted efforts must be made by Foursqaure Churches welfare and counselling teams to meet the various needs of their youth.
- The leadership of Foursqaure Churches for instance, must train and empower their youth on how to incorporate modern technology in their worship and services.
References
- Achim Gyimah, E. The Church of Pentecost: Yesterday, Today and Tomorrow. Accra: Journal Grady Limited, 2013.
- Adubofuor, S. B. Department of Theology Research Writing Manual for Project Work and Dissertation (Kumasi: Christian Service University, 2019): 13. Africa Youth Charter: Forum for African Women Educationalist, accessed May 20, 2019. http://www.africa-union.orgroot/ua/conferences/mai/hrst/charter%20english.pdf
- Aboagye Aryeh, D. Assessing the Role of Prophecy in mission in Charismatic Christianity in Ghana: An Exegesis of 1 Corinthians 14:24-25. Accra: Missiological Society of Ghana, 2018.
- Asamoah-Gyadu, J. K. Contemporary Pentecostal Christianity: Interpretations from an African Context. Ghana: Regnum Africa, 2013.
- .African Charismatics: Current Developments within Independent Indigenous Pentecostalism in Ghana, Netherlands:African Christian Press, 2005.
- African Charismatics: Current Developments within Independent Indigenous Pentecostalism in Ghana. Natherlands: Africa Christian, 2005. ______. “Signs of the Spirit; Worship as an experience in African Pentecostalism”. Journal of Africa Christian Thought vol 8. 2(2016).
- Brawner, J. ‘Meeting and Using the Media’, in T.E. Trask, W.I. Goodall, and Z.J. Bicket (eds.), The Pentecostal Pastor: A Mandate for the 21st Century. Springfield, MO: Gospel Publishing House, 1997
