Exploring the voices of children and youth: A plea for renewal in Church structures for child and youth ministries

Abstract

Various trends in Children and youth ministries indicate that the church is struggling to engage with and to serve children and youth effectively. This then impacts negatively on efforts to succeed in this strategic ministry. Considering the decreasing figures of church attendances amongst children and youth, it is proposed that the voices of these children and youth should be heard in an effort to find innovative ways to develop effective Children and youth ministry strategies that will address their unique needs. This article explores the experiences and perceptions of children and youth in the Presbytery of Wellington (URCSA) in an effort to think about new paradigms and new ways of doing in terms of serving children and youth.

“Here am I, send me!” The youth as co‑participants and agents of change

“…In most churches today it is a reality that the youth are left to function on their own, apart from the main church (cf. Beukes & Van der Westhuizen, 2016). This means that they form part of the bigger congregation, but that the youth ministry is still separate.…”

“…Aziz, 2020;Swart, 2018;Swartz & Nyamnjoh, 2018;Beukes & Van der Westhuizen, 2018;Nel, 2014Department of Social Development, 2013). Previous research has also shown that youth even feel vulnerable and excluded within the church and certain church structures (Beukes & Van der Westhuizen, 2016;Voas & Watt, 2014;King, 2012). When saying that the youth should use their agency and bring about change in the world, it also means starting to bring about change in the church.…”