The level of youth involvement in church-initiated programmes in Methodist church in Kenya, Nyambene synod

Abstract

The study aimed to examine the youth involvement level in Church initiated programmes in the Methodist Church in Kenya, Nyambene Synod. Methodist Church in Kenya has come up with Church-initiated programmes to assist the youth struggling with different life issues. However, the problem continues to persist in Nyambene Synod, where the youth have kept migrating from MCK to other churches, despite the significant role church-initiated programmes play in church. The study employed a descriptive research design. Data were obtained from questionnaires, focus group discussions and interview schedules. Functionalism theory was used to establish the level of youth involvement in church-initiated programmes. The study found that not all youth participate in church-initiated programmes, and Circuit ministers and circuit leaders were not offering church-initiated programmes effectively. This study recommends that the church ought to embrace modern ways, including technology, to involve more youth in the programmes and give the youth more room to express themselves through different youth activities, which should be carried out more often to retain them in church.