Timothy Titilope Olanrewaju, MTH Student in
Pastoral Care and Counselling, NBTS Ogbomoso.
+2348164164977, +2348057573184
and
Isaac Iyanda Agboola, MTH Student in
Pastoral Care and Counselling, NBTS Ogbomoso.
+2347067521839
ABSTRACT
This paper explores the problems facing youth leaders (ages 17–40) in churches, especially within the Nigerian Baptist Convention. Issues such as conflict, loss of direction, moral failure, burnout, and gaps between generations are weakening youth ministries and threatening the church’s future. The study highlights cause like abuse of power, lack of mentorship, disunity, poor communication between age groups, and limited involvement of youth in decision-making. These problems discourage young leaders and create mistrust. To address this, the paper suggests immediate pastoral care through active listening, love, spiritual support, and professional counseling. It also recommends long-term solutions like mentorship programs, leadership training, better governance, use of digital tools, and building strong relationships within the church. The goal is to strengthen youth leadership, promote unity across generations, and ensure the church’s growth and continuity.
Keywords: Pastoral Care Response, Youth Leadership, Crisis, Church
Word Count: 131
Introduction
The contemporary church faces a critical challenge in nurturing youth leadership, particularly during crises that threaten their engagement and development. Pastoral care plays a pivotal role in addressing these challenges, fostering an environment where young leaders can thrive amidst adversity. By implementing supportive frameworks that prioritize emotional and spiritual well-being, churches can effectively mitigate the impact of crises on youth leadership. The paper will respond to the factors responsible for the crises among youth leadership, challenges faced by the leaders and followers, and how to respond to the crises as pastoral caregivers.
Concept of Youth Leadership
Adetunji (2010, 2) explains that a leader guides a group toward a specific goal or project, offering advice to help them succeed. A leader is mainly responsible for the strategies, programs, and plans that lead to success. Leadership means guiding followers toward a goal that the group agrees upon and supports. According to Adetunji (2010), citing Ordway Tead, leadership is a classical concept. It involves influencing others to work together toward a goal they find worthwhile. A leader’s key role is to guide, either by leading from the front or advising the group. Leaders must clearly communicate a shared vision to motivate their followers so that the vision can become reality. In this sense, vision is essential in leadership.
Ayandokun (2009, 7) believes that a good leader listens, shows empathy, brings healing, creates awareness, and is committed to personal growth and building community. Youth leadership in the church involves guiding others to follow God’s path, playing a vital role in the body of Christ. Dada (2015, 20) adds that this role requires high moral standards, ethical behavior, and positive relationships. Youth leaders must understand that they are leading a special group set apart by divine approval and empowered to serve humanity in ways that matter for eternity.
Anyone leading youths must be a servant leader. This means their thoughts and actions, both at home and in church, must reflect Christ’s teachings. Ayandokun (2009, 10) states that leadership includes guiding, directing, influencing, and leading a team toward success. Leaders use their authority to achieve goals, and success results from their leadership. Leadership is about influence, service, vision, hope, character, trust, and responsibility.
A leader must think positively, inspire hope, and encourage others. Maxwell (1990, 66) points out that people only change when they are hurt enough to need change. He explains that leaders must face painful truths and make difficult changes to succeed. Ignoring reality can discourage leaders. He emphasizes that if you don’t control your future, someone else will. Change before you have to, and if you have no competitive edge, don’t compete. Cosgrove (2023) describes crises as emotional and unstable times when quick, important decisions must be made. Crises demand urgent action and fast thinking. They can affect families, societies, finances, and more. Crises are loud, hard to ignore, and signal a need for help.
Factors Responsible for Youth Leadership Crisis in the Church
Various factors contribute to youth leadership crises in churches, depending on the specific context. Key factors include:
- Abuse of Power: Bethel (1990, 177) argues that when power is abused, people become defensive, which limits creativity and risk-taking. They (youths) avoid making decisions due to fear of punishment.
- Lack of Mentorship or Discipleship: One major cause of leadership crises is the lack of proper mentorship in churches. Without guidance from experienced leaders, youth may struggle to grow into their roles.
- Disunity: Disunity among youth leaders is another issue. Okereafor (2022, 40) notes that such disunity shows a lack of shared purpose and threatens the church’s future if not addressed.
- Generational Gap: Differences in values and leadership styles between older and younger generations can create misunderstandings and hinder leadership development.
- Lack of Training: Without formal leadership training, young people may find it hard to take on leadership roles effectively.
- Lack of Support: When young leaders do not feel supported by the church, they may lose motivation. Churches must provide encouragement and practical help. Ejikunle (2021, 157) warns that unhealthy rivalry among youths can damage relationships between leaders and followers.
- Burnout and Attrition: Leadership roles can be overwhelming, leading to burnout and resignation, which worsens the leadership crisis.
- Changing Church Culture: Modern technology and social trends affect how youths relate to church leadership. Asaolu (2021, 114) observes that youths now have easy access to misleading information on leadership, which may distort their understanding of Christian values.
- Traditional Hierarchies: Some churches still follow old systems that prioritize age over talent, making it harder for youths to take on leadership roles.
- Limited Opportunities: When youths are not allowed to participate in decision-making, they may feel excluded and unmotivated.
- Materialism: Many young people are drawn too much to material wealth and this can be challenging. Okereafor (2022, 40) warns that the rise of the prosperity gospel has led some churches, especially in Nigeria, to focus too much on wealth, even promoting unethical behavior.