CHAPTER ONE

INTRODUCTION

1.0            Background of the Study

It has become imperative; very essential to underscore the effect of the new generation churches on the youth.Over the years, the church has contributed to the development of the youth spiritually, physically, emotionally, intellectually, etc. similarly, several accounts in the bible shows how the church helped several youth in making exploit for the kingdom of God. In today’s contemporary church or modern church which is referred also to the new generation church, we see how the youths within Christianity being shallow even when they confess to be saved, they are comfortable in compromising lifestyles, claiming to have liberty and grace in faith through the finished work of Christ on the cross. Due to access to various internet platforms, most of them indulge in various sinful activities. These youths also partially adhere to the biblical doctrine and its practices. With great youthful strength, even then, little or less impact is felt for Christ.

          It seems as if the new generation church tends to focus mainly on materialism, healing, miracles, rather than preaching the complete word of faith that is capable of making a man whole. Most of the ministers ignore the imperative of theological/ministerial trainings.

          What impact does the modern world create in the lives of our youths? Could it mean that the new generation churches are influenced by thestandard of the world? With a great potential of the social media, why is the church not seizing it to reach the world for Christ or is the social media platform influencing our youth negatively? Does the church really have the capacity to manage this communication platform?

          All these and many more are what this workseeks to find out - The effect of new generation church on the youths.

1.1     Statement of the Problem

The church as an institution of God was set up to implement the vision of God on earth: to spread the gospel of the kingdom to the ends of the earth teaching the followers to observed all the doctrine of Christ. The church at various times and in different ways has played their roles in accomplishing the vision. In the case of new generation churches there seems to be disconnected and one is tempted to ask; are they really conscious in implementing the vision? If yes,why is sin on the increase among the youths considering the various communication platforms provided by technology in the spread of the gospel messages.

All through the scriptures, the youths were seen making great exploit for the kingdom of God. They channelled their youthful strength to the works of the Gospel. Some of suchyouth were Timothy, David, Samuel, Jeremiah etc. but today, are the youths really doing same?If yes, what is the impact such has created. If no, what is the problem?Does the new generation church really teach the scripture holistically? Is the Ministry really worded?These and many more are the questions that this work seeks to unravel.

1.2     Objective of the Study

The objectives of the study are to:

i         To underscore the effect of the new generation churches on the youth.

ii        To examine why the youth are not really making great impact as compared to youths of the bible days.

iii       To evaluate the impact of gospel teaching on the youth in the new generation churches.

iv       To proffer solutions that could help manage the effect concisely.

1.3            Significance of the Study

i         It will createawareness/enlightenment to the ministers in particular and new generation churches at large on how to positively affect youths.

ii        It will enlighten the youths on their roles in advancing the kingdom of God using the various communication/social media platform.

iii       It will serve as a reference point to intending church founder(s) on the rudiment of exclusive youth ministry.

1.4     Research Methodology 

          The method for this research is qualitativesurvey. The finding will be derived through observation, questionnaire and interviews.

1.5     Scope and Delimitation of the Study

          The study was limited to Light Crusader Ministry, Calabar, Cross River state, Nigeria. The work was limited majorly because of time factor and the limitation of the study was inability to interview all the intended youth pastors within the assembly.

1.6     Organisation of the Study

The work is made up of five (5) Chapters. Chapter one seeks to unveil the hopes and expectations of this work and has the background, statement of problem, objective of the study, significance of the study, research questions,scope and delimitation of the study which is aimed at giving this work focus and aim. Chapter two is the review of related literature. Chapter three focuses on the research methodology adopted for this work. Chapter four is the core experience which involves the description of data after which the data collected were analysed. Chapter five gives the summary, conclusion and recommendations