Strategies to enhance youth involvement in church leadership in the Techiman West District, Ghana

Abstract

This project surveyed the involvement of the youth in church leadership, especially as church elders in the Techiman West District of the Seventh-day Adventist (SDA) Church. Records and observations have shown that the Techiman West District youth are not adequately recognized and included in district and local church elections for church officers. This problem stems from transferring cultural practices and beliefs into the church. In the local culture, older people traditionally lead family and community affairs. Additionally, there is a misconception among the members that young, unmarried people who are not gainfully employed cannot be elected as church elders because they lack the necessary resources, such as a spouse as well as accommodations to host overnight visitors to the church and also the young people who are not married may fall into sexual sin, which may bring reproach upon the church. Therefore, to safeguard the good name of the church, only adults who are married are elected as church elders. This study aimed to identify the perceived obstacles to youth involvement in church leadership, particularly as church elders. The goal was to suggest practical ways to enhance youth participation in church leadership in the Techiman West District of the Mid-North Ghana Conference of SDA. To accomplish this, the researcher employed a descriptive research method. After investigating the issue through interviews and observations, the researcher developed a questionnaire to gather people's opinions on the studied topic. The study found out that, to improve the involvement of the youth in church leadership in Techiman West District, there is the need to establish youth churches, mentor the youth, and create room for elders and the youth to exchange ideas on the challenges of the youth. Also, the church leaders ought to strengthen Senior Youth Leadership and Master Guide clubs in the churches, train the youth in leadership programs, and empower them to lead in church programs. This will create a friendly relationship between the youth and the elders, promoting church growth and development. The study confirmed that the youth perform better when they serve as church elders than older people. Just as educated young people can lead a nation as president or king and lead in secular organizations, young professionals in the church can also serve as church elders, whether married or single if they have the spiritual qualifications.