Page 12 - Mission Journal

MISSION &
MISSION &
ISSUES stances such as working abroad or
ISSUES
rejection by their biological families.
The age of technology has altered the
thinking of many that religion is looked
at with suspicion and sometimes
downright hostility.

However, the very development of
modern technology could be the
answer to religious revival and a
mission among youths. A congregation
that adopts to social media and new
Dr. Caroline W. Njuki technology stands a good chance of
attracting youth with fresh missional
Youth in Mission - ideas which can be adopted to bring

Opportunities in Using Social Media about change. Yet, the message must

It is being said that never before in the history of mankind have so many young
people been exposed to so much new technology, conflicting views, life styles, new
religions, pop culture, peer pressure and all other kinds of nuances that are
required of young people to be accepted or successful. Because of the many
influences and requirements needed to make it in today s world, young people
have become deathly afraid of making meaningful decisions. Many are
literallyafraid of growing up. Unlike in their parent s generation, today nothing can
be taken for granted. While in the past there was a secure pattern to life such as be palatable and understandable to
getting married, having children, a guaranteed job for 30 years with one organiza- youth. Congregations need to adopt
tion, and finally retirement with a pension, these promises no longer hold true friendly, non-repressive, non-negative
today. and inclusive language.

The pulse of youth today varies from community to community, geographical Youth need cultural awareness, skills
location, urban verses rural, etc. It is therefore a challenge to write intelligently development and independent thinking
about youth as a collective entity. However, there is one universal truth. Many before engaging in mission. In addition
youths globally are faced with similar challenges. According to the United Nations, to learning these skills, but they need
they suffer from failure to fit in, get a good education, job, reasonably comfortable to be allowed to participate in the
lifestyle and are unsure of the future. In urban areas, youth are dictated to by social decision-making processes at the
media which tells them how to live, dress, and what amenities to have in order to economic, social, political, congrega-
fit in. In the rural areas youth try to escape to urban areas in the hope of making a tional levels. As a result, they will
decent living. A few of them do succeed but many are disillusioned. realize their potential and will be able
to acquire purchasing power, contribute
In this complex environment, youth are learning to find ways of survival. In to nations' economic growth and
religious circles, they are renewing worship and how to function in a culture participate in mission.
manipulated by technology and social media. Many are falling prey to the pres-
sures of social media and losing human touch. Unlike in the past when faith and It is often said that many youths are
ethics were passed on by family, community, and values around them, youths today over knowledgeable but lack wisdom,
are learning new ways of existence through social media. The tendency is to move and of course wisdom comes with time
away from traditional family values and organized religion. Figures show that two and experience. Young people are
out of every five adults in the USA have no religious affiliation. Family ties are an trying to find their own way into the
endangered species as people create new families depending on their circum- future inventing new ways of life and

12 Mission Journal