This study evaluated the effectiveness of the youth programs offered by the youth ministry department in character formation in the Methodist Church in Kenya- Kaaga Synod. Bandura’s social learning theory led this study from a sociological point of view. During the study, descriptive Formats were used to collect, analyse, compare and interpret the data. The study targeted five circuits in Kaaga Synod, Meru County The study used random samples to select churches. A sample of youth church members was selected using the proportionate sampling technique. Targeted samples were used for selecting church ministers, youth ministers and church chairpersons as key informants because of their accurate knowledge of church youth issues. The researcher used questionnaires, interview schedules, and focus group discussions to gather the necessary information. Discussions, as well as tables, were used to collect and analyse the data. The findings of this study contributed to the knowledge of religion and morality. The outcome of this study is also beneficial to participants who are policymakers and designers, parents and educators in their efforts to promote youth morals.
Alcohol and drug abuse among the youth continues to persist as shown by global statistics. Religious organizations have come up with Programmes aimed at mitigating alcohol and drug abuse. However, the problem of alcohol and drug abuse continues despite the significant role religions play in the society. This study assessed challenges facing implementation of alcohol and drug abuse mitigation Programmes among the youth in the Presbyterian Churches with an aim of establishing ways of addressing the issue. The findings show that inadequate funding and resources was the main challenge affecting the implementation of the PCEA alcohol and drug mitigation Programmes as reported by majority 158(35%) of the clergy and Church elders. 25% of the respondents indicated lack of commitment by affected persons, 15% pointed at lack of adequate training for those handling the youth and youth ministry or Programmes, and 14% cited poor management of youth Programmes. Moreover, 6% cited inadequate psychosocial support, 2% said lack of follow-up of youth was the problem, 2% reported that youth addicts who did not fully attend the Programmes feared losing friends while 1% indicated that lack of conviction by the addicts that they can fully recover and completely avoid alcohol and drugs were part of the challenges faced in the implementation of the Programmes. In order to enhance effectiveness, the study established that youth involvement in management of the Programmes, training of pastors in alcohol and drug abuse could be employed as part of the intervention.
Global statistics show persistence of alcohol and drug abuse despite the programmes religious organisations have come up with aimed at mitigating alcohol and drug abuse. This study analyzed the Biblical and pastoral approaches used by Presbyterian Churches (PCEA) in addressing the problem of alcohol and drug abuse. Multistage Cluster sampling technique was used to select three PCEA regions from the five regions. The study had a total sample of 144 respondents who were the Parish ministers. A descriptive survey research design was used to obtain qualitative data. Instrument for data collection was structured interview schedule. Data collected from the Parish ministers was analyzed qualitatively. The study established that the Presbyterian churches integrated both Biblical and pastoral approaches in mitigating alcohol and drug abuse. Majority of the parish ministers indicated that they used sermons as a pastoral intervention for alcohol and drug abuse among the youth in the Presbyterian churches. Other pastoral interventions included pastoral counseling, open discussions on alcohol and drugs and praying for the addicts. Parish ministers also indicated that they used the Bible to warn against the use of alcohol and more specifically its intoxicating effect and this justifies why the church should get involved in the lives of those abusing alcohol and drugs so as to help them get out of the bondage. The Bible commends self-control with regard to alcohol. Parish ministers used Bible verses to explain that the Bible forbids participating for the sake of personal pleasure, in practices that hinder moral judgment or weaken self-control. The findings of this study will help the clergy to address problem of alcohol and drug abuse in the society and particularly among the youth as this segment of the population is vital for church and societal development.
This article sought to assess the reasons for the prevalence of alcohol and drug abuse among the youth in the Presbyterian churches (PCEA) and to investigate the success rate of the strategies used by the PCEA in addressing alcohol and drug abuse among the youth. Three PCEA regions were selected using the multistage cluster sampling technique. A proportional sampling technique was used to get PCEA Presbytery moderators, church elders, Parish ministers and youth members. The youth who are abusing alcohol and drugs were identified through the snowball sampling technique. Purposive sampling was used to select the Youth Director. A descriptive survey research design was used to obtain qualitative data. Instruments for data collection were questionnaires, structured interview schedules and focus group discussions. Data were analyzed qualitatively and presented in summary form using frequency tables and discussions. The study established that the reasons for the prevalence of alcohol and drug abuse among the youth in the PCEA are peer influence, curiosity and easy availability of alcohol and drugs. The strategies used by PCEA in addressing alcohol and drug abuse include seminars and workshops (56%), bible studies (31%), alcoholic forums (44%), youth camps and conferences (56%), rallies and crusades (43%), guidance and counselling programmes (45%), youth engagement in community work (71%) and having a drug education desk (30%). The study recommends that the Church should reassess the strategies with the aim of making them more effective. The youth should be involved in the management of the strategies.
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