I

DECLINE IN YOUTH NUMBERS IN CHURCH ATTENDANCE AND ACTIVITIES: A

CASE STUDY OF CHURCH OF CHRIST AT TAIFA

SAMSON DARKO MENSAH – DEG ST50216001

SUPERVISOR: DR A. ASAMOAH & REV. DR. JAMES YAMOAH

MODULE COORDINATOR: DR. BRIAN JENNINGS

AWR 432

CAPSTONE PROJECT 2019

SUBMITTED IN PARTIAL FULFILMENT OF THE REQUIREMENT FOR THE DEGREE

OF BACHELOR OF ARTS BA (HONS) THEOLOGY

GHANA CHRISTIAN UNIVERSITY COLLEGE

ACCRA

DATE 01/10/20
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Abstract

Youth attendance in the church has declined in the recent past. The reason for their

decline is that they no longer find a church to be socially and spiritually relevant to their lives.

The paper seeks to provide a solution to the problem through spiritual formation and increasing

the depth of youth programs so that they can remain socially relevant to the lives of the young

people. This will be done by encouraging youth people to know who Jesus is and how to have a

personal relationship with him through faith.

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Declaration

I, Samson Mensah Darko declare that this dissertation is entirely my own work. It is free from

intentional occurrences of plagiarism and is based upon ethically conducted research.

Sign (Student): Date:

Sign (Supervisor) Date:

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Dedication

This study is first of all dedicated to my Lord, Savior and Provider, Jesus Christ the living Son of

God. My Mother Afua Nyantatwiaah may her soul rest in perfect peace, who trained me in the

character of the being the best youth who’s hand and heart are clean to his maker, and to Christ

Churches in Ghana especially, Taifa, Kwabenya and Offanko Churches of Christ Youth Groups.
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Acknowledgement

First of all, I acknowledge the direction of God through His Holy Spirit’s promptings in my life,

the strength He provided for me to be able to combine ministry and an intensive academic work.

Secondly, I want to thank all the lecturers and administrative staff of Ghana Christian University

College (Ghana CU), especially. Rev. Dr James Yamoah (Vice President) for his

encouragement, and his fatherly advice, and Dr Anthony Owusu who in a deepest mindset boost

my morals and to Dr. Jennings my role model and character imitator.

I also extend my thanks to my colleagues from Ghana Christian University College (Ghana CU)

for their invaluable comments during the revision of the lecture note.

Special thanks go to the family and especially my Father Mr. Darko Mensah for his greatest

support in the spirit.

Finally, my special thanks and gratitude goes to my wife children for standing by me. Above all,

I am forever grateful to my Lord and Savior Jesus Christ for always being there for me in

accordance with the promise, “… Great is His faithfulness,” (Lamentation 3:22-23). To Him be

the glory, forever and ever Amen and amen.

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Table of Contents

Title page I

Abstract II

Declaration III

Dedication IV

Acknowledgement V

Table of contents VII

Chapter One
Introduction.....................................................................................................................................1
1.0Background………………………………… ……………………………………...1
1.1 Problem Presented ....................................................... ...........................................2
1.2 Research questions………………………………………………………………...4
1.3 Definition of terms………………………………………………………………...5

1.4 Hypothesis……………………………………………….….……………………..6
1.5Organization of the Study .........................................................................................7

Chapter Two ……………………… ...................................................................................8

2.0 Introduction ...............................................................................................................8

2.1 Biblical Context of Youth Ministry………………………… ……………………..8

2.1.1 Youth Ministry in the Old Testament……….………………………….….……..8

2.1.2 Youth Ministry in the NewTestament……………………………………………11

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2.2 Factors Contributing to the Decline in Youth Church Attendance…....................18

2.3 Views of the Youth Concerning Modern Church Leadership……………………...21

2.4 Influence of Technology in Youth’s Perception on Relevance of Church….........23

2.5 Theoretical Review……………………………………………………………...25

2.6 Technological Determinism Theory…………………………………………………..25

2.7 Spiritual Formation…………………………………………………………………….28

2.8 Leading through Relationships…………………………………….……………...….31

 2.9 Chapter Summary…………………………………………………..……….32

Chapter Three Methodology ...........................................................................................33

3.0 Introduction ...........................................................................................................33
3.1 Research Design ....................................................................................................33

3.2 Target Population………………………………………………………………………..34

3.3 Sample Size ……………………………………………………………………………….35

3.4 Sampling Technique………………………………………………………………35

3.5 Data Collection Instruments and Procedure ………………………………………...36

3.6 Data Analysis Techniques…..................................................................................37

3.7 Merits of Chosen Methodology………………………………………………………...37

3.8 Demerits of Chosen Methodology…………………………………….…………….…37

3.9 Ethical Considerations………………………………………………………………….38

Chapter Four Results Presentation ................................................................................39

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4.1 Interview Results…………………………………………………………………..39

4.2 Impact of Technology…………………………………………………………...…,,…..39

4.3 Leadership Influence………………………………………………………………….. .40

4.4 Influence from Parents................................................................…......................41

4.5 Sense of Belonging………………………………………………………………..........43

4.6 Effectiveness of Youth Ministry………………………………………………………..43

4.7 Chapter Summary………………………………………………………………..44

Chapter Five Interpretation of Results, Recommendations, and Conclusions………..46

5.0 Introduction ........................................................................................................46

5.1 Comparing Results with Literature ....................................................................46
5.2 Recommendations of the Study...........................................................................51
5.3 Conclusions………………………………………..…………….……………..54

REFERENCES………………………………………………......................................57

Appendix A: Interview Questions ................................................................................71

Appendix D: Thematic Analysis……………………………………………………...72
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Appendix D: Thematic Analysis

Questions Semantic Coding Latent Coding Possible

Themes

Kindly give me your R1-R15: The  Leadership in the Church

departments to some
general understanding extent are meeting their church Leadership,
goals, although they
of how the various have limitations.
departments in this

Church are organized.

 Youth Youth
They lack proper
Would you say that all representation of all involvement
of these church involvement in
groups in the church, church leadership
departments are since the youth leaders
meeting their goals? and activities
are not in all
departments.
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What is the importance R1: Youth programs are  Church’s future The future of
of having youth important, and they the church,
programs in the determine the future of  Enhance
church? a church. leadership
leadership skills skills,
R2: Without youth
programs there is no  Improve youth
church. ministry youth ministry

R3: they help young

people to come
together.

R4-R13: it is an
opportunity to

develop leadership
among the youth and
prepare them to take
over the church
leadership in future.

R14-15: it is the basis

for preparing future
pastors in church.
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Explain the extent to R7: The youth in the  Youth Youth

Church is interested in involvement,
which the Youth the events and programs involvement in youth
that are typically participation,
Program in your church organized for the benefit church leadership leadership
of the Youth program. approaches,
has been successful.  Youth youth
However, the approach programs
of organizing such participation in

Do you know what the events does not involve

developing youth
the youth.
initial aims of programs

developing the Youth R1-15: I do not really

 Interest in youth
know the initial aims of
programs
Programs were? the program as the
youth was not involved.
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Why do you think there R1: I think young  Lost interest in the Lost interest,
is a notable decline in boring church
the growth and people have lost interest church services,
attendance of the youth technology,
in your church? in the church.  Boring church leadership,
relationship
R2: in the modern days, services with Jesus,
technology has poor parenting
provided alternative  Technology bas an
platforms of learning
the word of God. alternative

R3: leadership in the  Bad leadership in

church is not favorable.
the church
R4: Lack of interest.
 Lack of
R5: the church in these
days is generally relationship with
boring.
Jesus
R6: Youth have no
 Poor parenting
relationship with Jesus
since they have not
 Church has lost
been taught about Jesus
by parents. importance in
R7: They do not society
consider church to be
important in society.  Not mandatory

hence no
R8-15: there are no
consequences from consequences from
parents if I do not attend
church parents

 It is not an
obligation but a
way of pleasing
parents
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R9: Church attendance

is to please parents.

In your opinion, which R1. Ensuring that  Attractive church Attractive

are the specific ways in church
which the growth and services are made services services, youth
attendance of the youth leadership,
in church can be interesting.  Youth leadership youth
improved? pastoring,
R3. Promoting youth  Youth ministry spiritual
formation,
leadership.  Using technology parents role
R5. modeling
 Spiritual formation

Improving sermons and  Improving the

worship where youth
interests are taken care relationship with
of.
Jesus
R6. Using technology in
church services.  Role modeling by
parents
R7. Not reprimanding
the youth for everything
they do.

R14. Teaching the

youth, the reasons why
they should attend
church.

R15: Parents being role

models.
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Please tell me your idea R7. Attention from adult ü Attention and Attention and
of the needs that a leaders. recognition,
R2. Recognition

person who identifies as Respect and  Respect and respect and

a youth would have, in dignity,
the context of a Church. recognition. R5. dignity leadership
opportunities,
Opportunity to lead and  Leadership youth
pastoring
express views. R.4 opportunities

better services. R9.  Youth pastoring

Modern approaches of  Truthfulness

preaching and
ministering. R.10
church service that is
real and not
hypocritical.
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In what way do you R.15 Being part of the  Leadership in Leadership in

think the Youth can be committees. church, youth
involved in the Church? church involvement,
R.11 Given youth
opportunities to preach.  Youth programs,
youth ministry
R. 5 Provided with involvement
effective updates on
church developments.  Youth programs

R.4 Seeking their  Youth ministry

opinion when designing
programs for their
welfare.

In your opinion, which R1. Advancements in ü Technological Technology,

are the most important technology advancements modernity,

issues that should be R5. Modernity and  Modernity and traditions,

addressed when it traditions. youth
comes to developing a traditions challenges,
program that is R.3 Youth preferences. leadership
specifically geared to  Youth challenges
the youth? R8. Challenges in the
society. in society

R10. Views of the youth

concerning life and
Jesus.

R15. Biblical teachings

about the gospel.
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What do you think are R1-R7: Bad influence  Leadership role Leadership,
the factors affecting the interest,
level of youth from leaders. model motivation,
attendance in the ministering,
church?  Lack of interest spiritual
formation,
R-8: Lack of interest.  Lack of motivation family
R-9: Lack of ministry,
 Youth are not parents
motivation. involvement,
convinced
technology,
modernity
 Lack of spiritual
R-10: Does not really
formation
convince the youth why
 Lack of family
they should attend.
ministry

 Lack of parents
R-11: Lack of proper involvement

spiritual formation and

nourishment.

R-12: Lack of sessions

at family level to

enhance youth ministry.

R-13:

Parents not being

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involved in teaching the  Technological

youth about Jesus.
developments
R14: Not bringing
children to the church  Modernity in
when they are at teen technology
age.

R-15: Resorting to bad

technology.

R-6: Desires for the

worldly things that are
not accepted in the
church.

R-5: Modern
technology exposing the
youth to other sites that
are not Godly.

Are there some R1-R10: The church  Church leadership Leadership,

recommendations you leadership should be
can give to the church? open to new ideas.  Technology in Technology
church
R15: Consideration of
technology as a
platform to improve
youth ministry.
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Defining and Naming of themes

Initial generated themes Defined themes

Church Leadership, & Youth involvement,  Impact of technology

The future of the church, & leadership skills,
youth ministry, & Youth involvement,  Leadership influence
youth participation, & Leadership approaches,
Youth programs, & Lost interest,  Influence from parents
Boring church services, & Technology, leadership,
Relationship with Jesus, & poor parenting,  Sense of belonging
Attractive church services, & youth leadership,
Youth pastoring, & Spiritual formation,  Effectiveness of youth
Parents role modeling & Attention and recognition, ministry
Respect and dignity,& leadership opportunities,
Youth pastoring, & Leadership in church,
Youth involvement, youth programs, youth ministry,
Technology, & modernity,
Traditions, & Youth challenges,

Leadership, interest, motivation, ministering, spiritual Most pressing issues

formation, family ministry, parents involvement,
technology, modernity, Leadership, Technology.
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Appendix A: Interview Questions

I. What are the factors that have contributed to the decrease of youth in church attendance

and participation in modern times?

II. What are the views of the youth concerning the modern church leadership with regard

to their expectations?

III. What is the influence of technology in youth’s perception of the relevance of the church

in their lives and attendance?

IV. How have the theological developments in worship and church growth contributed to

youth attendance in the church activities?

V. What are the theoretical models and literature supporting the trends of youth decrease

in the church, as presented in the problem statement?

VI. What are the recommendations in improving the situation for the church’s future? The

above questions served as an objective model that helped to achieve the overall goal

through the conduct of this study.