Building the Twenty-first Century Church: The Role of the Youth

Abstract

Young people’s involvement in the church is pivotal to the development of the community. The youth of the church in the past are gone, leaving empty pews and the church in decline. This study examined the role of the Australian and North American African Diasporic youngsters in church management and growth by exploring two main objectives: the youths’ activities in the church and the importance of the youths’ actions in the church’s progress. The study used a systematic literature review that focused strictly on the youths’ role in the church structure. It revealed that the church’s youth activities included innovativeness; evangelism and church planting; music ministry; campus fellowship centres, and promoting formal Christian education. In addition, life-altering experiences, leadership development, and engagement in the social media formed the basis for the importance of the youths’ activities in the church’s progress. Thus, the youths’ involvement in the church ensures continuity, growth, and development.