YOUTH LIFE STYLE AND CHURCH GROWTH
ABSTRACT:
The paper basically examines youth life style and church growth a case study of The Living Faith Church. One key problem is the inability to examine youth life style and church growth. Another problem is how best to measure numerical growth. A variety of indicators for attendance and occasional offices are available, but all are affected to some degree by measurement error and random fluctuations. The major objectives of the paper areTo examine youth life style and church growth, To change the unhealthy culture of some church youth ministries and To cast a fresh vision for the church.
Concerning methodology, both secondary and primary sources of data was used for the study. A survey research design technique was used with a sample size of 40 staff of Living Faith church. Data was analyzed using such as correlation statistical tool. Key findings from the study showed that with a significance level of 0.05, there is a significant relationship between youth life style and church growth. Recommendations for the study include; Churches should always teach the doctrine of the church to the youth so as to improve their life style in accordance with the desire and culture of the church.
TABLE OF CONTENTS
Title Page - - - - - - - - - i
Approval Page - - - - - - - - ii
Declaration - - - - - - - - iii
Dedication - - - - - - - - - iv
Acknowledgement - - - - - - - v
Abstract - - - - - - - - - vi
Table of Contents - - - - - - - vii
CHAPTER ONE – INTRODUCTION
1.1 Background of the Study - - - - -
1.2 Statement of General Problem - - - -
1.3 Objective of the Study - - - - - -
1.4 Research Questions - - - - - -
1.5 Hypothesis - - - - - - - - -
1.6 Significance of the Study - - - - -
1.7 Scope of the Study - - - - - -
1.8 Definition of Terms - - - - - -
CHAPTER TWO – REVIEW OF RELATED LITERATURE
2.1 Introduction - - - - - - - - -
2.2 Theoretical Framework - - - - - - -
2.3 The concept of youth lifestyle- - - - - - -
2.4 Youth and church growth- - - - - - - -
2.5 Major aspects that the youths should venture in the church growth- - - - - - - - - - - -
2.6 The church and youth development: a motherly responsibility - - - - - - - - -
CHAPTER THREE – RESEARCH METHODOLOGY
3.1 Introduction - - - - - - - - -
3.2 Research Design - - - - - - - -
3.3 Area of the Study - - - - - - - -
3.4 Population of Study - - - - - - - -
3.5 Sample size and Sampling Techniques - - - - -
3.6 Instrument for Data Collection - - - - - -
3.7 Validity of the Instrument - - - - - - -
3.8 Reliability of the Instrument - - - - - -
3.9 Method of Data Collection - - - - - - -
3.10 Method of Data Analysis - - - - - - -
CHAPTER FOUR – DATA PRESENTATION AND ANALYSIS
4.0 Introduction - - - - - - - - -
4.1 Data Presentation and Analysis - - - - - -
4.2 Characteristics of the Respondents - - - - -
4.3 Data Analysis - - - - - - - - -
4.4 Testing Hypothesis - - - - - - - -
4.5 Summary of Findings - - - - - - - -
4.6 Discussion of Findings - - - - - - -
CHAPTER FIVE – SUMMARY, CONCLUSION AND RECOMMENDATION
5.0 Introduction - - - - - - - - -
5.1 Summary - - - - - - - - - -
5.2 Conclusion - - - - - - - - - -
5.3 Recommendations - - - - - - - -
References - - - - - - - - - -
Appendix - - - - - - - - - -
CHAPTER ONE
1.0 INTRODUCTION
1.1 Background of the study
Church Growth is a movement within evangelical Christianity which focuses on developing methods to grow churches based on business marketing strategies.It cannot be disputed that youths play a vital role in the life of a Church as they are the leaders of tomorrow and future of the church. The elderly stands out but youth’s contributions have been shinning and have always been flagbearers of every Church. For any tangible growth to take place in any Christiancommunity, the youth must be significant in that process of growth. This is the more reason whywise nations, countries, groups and organization focus more on the development of youths so that thefuture of such investments would never be improvised or blind. It is therefore of vital importance in the Catholic Church to prepare assiduously youths for the tasks they would naturally face inthe coming future. It is only when we have nourished our youths that they in-turn develop theChurch. The questions are “what amount of attention do we give the youths and whatlevelof devotion does the youths give to the church.
The youths of today have very high ideals, and to deny this would be grossly unfair. But we mustadmit that very often these ideals can sour, can be perverted and can be exploited. Often youngpeople ultimately relinquish their ideals if they suspect that the situation is hopeless; if theyconclude that nowhere can these ideals be fulfilled. Unfortunately, this is the usual progressionof events today. Disappointments lead to abysmal falls, often to depths lower than those theycondemned when their idealism was fresh. Where this does not happen, ideals are exploited byfalse prophets of good. The sectarians far from the fullness of truth are able to inspireyouthto make such amazing sacrifices Yet at the same time, the Orthodox Church, possessingthe fullness of Truth, has a real difficulty in keeping her youth(Abednego: 1989). It could be that in ignoring the high ideals and potential moral heroism of our youth we have failed to familiarizethem with our examples of such heroism, displayed by our own young, even the very young, who loved Christ and His Church in past ages. The youths are important fabrics in the society. Can there be any society without youth?Obviously no, that is why we must see to it that our youths find their rightful places in the church.
Church growth begins with church health and not the other way around. We see in nature that healthy things grow. This is by no means a new concept, but it's still true. From this research, we will discover what a healthy church is like and how youth life style can boost church growth.
1.2 Statement of the problem
One key problem is the inability to examine youth life style and church growth.Another problem is how best to measure numerical growth. A variety of indicators for attendance and occasional offices are available, but all are affected to some degree by measurement error and random fluctuations. Such variability poses particular problems with small churches, where the addition or subtraction of just a few people produces large proportional changes in the totals.
1.3 Objectives of the study
1. To examine youth life style and church growth.
2. To change the unhealthy culture of some church youth ministries.
3. To cast a fresh vision for the church.
1.4 Research questions
1. What amount of attention do we give the youths?
2. What level of devotion do the youths give to the church?
1.5 Research hypotheses
Ho: There is no significant relationship between youth life style and church growth.
Hi: There is a significant relationship between youth life style and church growth.
1.6 Significance of the study
This research work will assist churches, ministries, pastors, etc in discovering the vital roles youths play in the life of a Church as they are the leaders of tomorrow and future of every church.From this research, we will discover what a healthy church is like and how youth life style can boost church growth.
1.7 Scope/Limitations of the study
This study is on youth lifestyle and church growth.
Limitations of study
1. Financial constraint- Insufficient fund tends to impede the efficiency of the researcher in sourcing for the relevant materials, literature or information and in the process of data collection (internet, questionnaire and interview).
2. Time constraint- The researcher will simultaneously engage in this study with other academic work. This consequently will cut down on the time devoted for the research work.
1.8 Definition of terms
Church Growth: is a movement within evangelical Christianity which focuses on developing methods to grow churches based on business marketing strategies.
Youth:Youth is the time of life when one is young, but often means the time between childhood and adulthood (maturity).
Life style:Lifestyles define us; they are the way we live our lives, what we do, with whom, where, how and what we use to do it.
References
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Cordeiro, Wayne. Doing Church as a Team. Honolulu, HI: New Hope Publishers, 2000.
Coleman, Robert. The master plan of Discipleship. Grand Rapids: F. H. Revell Co., 1998.
Craft, Charles. Christianity in Culture.Maryknoll, NY: Orbis Books, 1981.
Dempsey, Rodney W. „Small Group Ministries‟ of 2010 Summer D.Min Class‟ Lecture Note.
Dever, Mark. Nine Marks of a Healthy Church. Wheaton, IL: Crossway Books, 2004.
Elliot, Ralph H. Church Growth That Counts. Valley Forge, PA: Judson, 1982.
George, Carl F. Prepare Your Church for the Future. Tarrytown, NY: Fleming H. Revell,1991.
Getz, Gene A. The Measure of a Healthy Church: How God Defines Greatness in a Church.
Glendale, VA: Regal Books, 2002.Gets, Gene A & Joe Wall.Effective Church Growth Strategies. Nashville: Word, 2000.
Gillbert, Larry. Team Evangelism: Giving New Meaning to Lay Evangelism. Lynchburg, VA:Church Growth Institute, 1991.
Ha, Yong Jo. We Dream The Church Of The Acts. Seoul: Duranno, 2007.
Hadaway, C. Kirk. Church Growth Principles: Separating Fact from Fiction. Nashville:Broadman, 1991.
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