Perspectives on family and youth ministry embedded in the <i>missio Dei</i> – an African perspective

Abstract

The largest part of the population in Africa is classified as youth, but most churches in Africa are still without a contextual African family and youth theology. In many instances, the first question which is asked by churches is how to reach families and youth, without understanding who the ones are that are involved and what the calling is of those who participate in the ministry, as well as who those families and youth are that are ministered too. This article will contribute to the theological understanding of why a family and youth ministry specific for Africa is important. Since identity is a key issue in family and youth ministry, the article takes a short reality check on African family and youth ministry in relation to identity. A missional hermeneutical key is proposed and attention is given to the what question. In the last part, family and youth ministry is discussed from the missio trinitatis Dei perspective to give perspectives on the how, who and what questions.Perspektiewe op ’n gesins- en jeugbediening vanuit die missio Dei – ’n Afrika-perspektief. Die meeste kerke in Afrika beskik nie oor ’n kontekstuele teologie vir ’n gesins- en jeugbediening spesifiek vir Afrika nie, alhoewel die grootste gedeelte van die bevolking in Afrika as jeuggeklassifiseer word. Wanneer daar aan gesins- en jeugbediening gedink word, is die eerste vraag wat gewoonlik gevra word hoe dit gedoen word, sonder om duidelikheid te verkry oor wie by die bediening betrokke is en wat die roeping van die bedienaars is, asook wie die gesinne en die jeug is wat bedien word. Hierdie artikel wil ’n bydrae lewer tot die teologiese verstaan van waarom ’n eie gesins- en jeugbediening vir Afrika belangrik is. Aangesien die vraag oor identiteit wesenlik in gesins- en jeugbediening is, word oorsigtelik na omstandighede in Afrika gekyk om daardeur gesinne en die jeug se identiteit binne ’n bepaalde konteks te plaas. ’n Missionale hermeneutiek word as sleutel voorgestel om die roepings- of wat-vraag te beantwoord. Laastens word gesins- en jeugbediening in Afrika vanuit die missio trinitatis Dei bespreek as ’n perspektief om die hoe, wie en wat-vrae te beantwoord.

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

“…The recommendation is therefore that children and youth ministry should include family activities to stimulate parental insight and involvement to address the needs of children and youth. In further support of this Knoetze (2015:8) notes that "as the body of Christ the church must participate in creating opportunities to listen to each other within families".…”

“…Although one could argue that the findings are context-related and that it could not be transferred to other contexts, it should be noted that the children and youth in the mentioned context are exposed to the same risks that make South African children and youth vulnerable. Knoetze (2015:3) refers to the dire circumstances in which children and youth in an African context are living and asks: "What does God expect from his church when 37 000 children die of preventable or poverty-related diseases each day?" The author argues that there is a lack of understanding of the importance of this ministry and that it should be "transformational; the church must aim for Christian discernment to recognise and understand what God is doing at the moment with those who are being ministered to".…”

African youth, African faith(s), African environment and sustainable development: A missional diaconal calling

“…Thus, they enjoy youth gatherings that may arouse specific youth subcultures, whether positive or negative. One such example is the Skothane sub-culture amongst the youth in South Africa (Knoetze 2015a):…”

Moving from faith-based concerns to demarginalising youths through the Circle of Courage

“…• Act as guardians of community peace by participating in efforts to curb violence and criminality in their communities (Republic of South Africa 2015:25-26). Knoetze (2015:3) refers to the dire circumstances in which children and young people in an African context are living and asks: 'What does God expect from his church when 37 000 children die of preventable or poverty-related diseases each day?' He (Knoetze) then proceeds by arguing that there is a lack of understanding of the importance of this ministry and that it should be 'transformational; the church must aim for Christian discernment to recognise and understand what God is doing at the moment with those who are being ministered to'.…”