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Challenges of Ministering to the Youth:A Case Study of Presbyterian

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Challenges of Ministering to the Youth:A Case Study of Presbyterian UNIVERSITY OF NAIROBI FACULTY OF ARTS DEPARTMENT OF PHILOSOPHY AND RELIGIOUS STUDIES CHALLENGES OF MINISTERING TO THE YOUTH: A Case Study of Presbyterian Church of East Africa Langata Parish, Nairobi County BY MWANGI CHARLES MAINA A Research Project report Submitted in Partial fulfillment of the requirements for the award of a Master of Arts Degree in Religious Studies of the University of Nairobi AUGUST 2015 i Declaration I declare that this research project report is my original work and has not been submitted to any other University. _________________________ _______________________ CHARLES MAINA MWANGI DATE REG NO C50/68629/2013 This research project has been submitted for examination with our approval as University supervisors: _________________________ _______________________ PROF: N. W. NDUNG’U DATE Department of Philosophy and Religious Studies _________________________ _______________________ DR. P. M. MUMO DATE Department of Philosophy and Religious Studies i Dedication To my lovely wife , children and parents for their support and encouragement. ii Acknowledgements Many people and institutions have contributed in different ways in helping me complete this work. I may not be able to mention all of them but only a few in representations of others. I would like to express my gratitude to my supervisors Prof. N.W. Ndung’u and Dr. P. M. Mumo for their counsel, wisdom, guidance, commitment and constructive criticism that enabled me to become better in my research and reporting. They have mentored me to grow academically. Particular thanks to Prof. D .Waruta who encouraged me to follow my passion and Prof. Father Wachege who encouraged me to enhance my academic potentials. To each one of the lecturers in the Department of religious studies, who have impacted my life in different ways exposing my mind to different world views and ideas. I am grateful. Special thanks to PCEA Langata parish Pastoral team, Apollo Kariuki youth coordinator, Evangelist Samuel Gitonga and children ministry coordinator, Miss Miriam Mathenge and church elders who allowed me to conduct the research at PCEA Langata. I would like to thank all those who directly participated in the research. To PCEA Langata Kirksession for graciously allowing me time off every week to attend classes and to meet with my supervisors. Finally, special thanks to Rev. Samuel Murigu Murithi and Peter Kibuthu alumni of University of Nairobi who graduated previously with Masters of Arts in religious studies for encouraging me to pursue my Masters at the University of Nairobi, and following up my progress. iii Table of Contents Page Declaration .............................................................................................................................. i Dedication ............................................................................................................................... ii Acknowledgements ............................................................................................................... iii Table of Contents .................................................................................................................. iv Abstract ............................................................................................................................... viii Abbreviations ........................................................................................................................ ix Definition of key terms ......................................................................................................... xi CHAPTER 1 ........................................................................................................................... 1 INTRODUCTION ................................................................................................................. 1 1.0 Background of the Study .......................................................................................... 1 1.1 Statement of the Problem ............................................................................................... 3 1.2 Research Objectives ....................................................................................................... 5 1.3 Justification of the Study ................................................................................................ 5 1.4 Scope of the Study ......................................................................................................... 6 1.5 Location of the Study. .................................................................................................... 7 1.5.1 Limitation of the Study ............................................................................................... 8 1.6 Literature Review ........................................................................................................... 8 1.7 Hypotheses ................................................................................................................... 21 1.8 Theoretical Framework ................................................................................................ 21 1.9 Research Method.......................................................................................................... 24 1.9.1 Sampling ................................................................................................................... 25 1.9.2 Data Collecting Technique ........................................................................................ 25 1.9.3 Data Analysis ............................................................................................................ 26 END NOTES ......................................................................................................................... 27 CHAPTER 2 ......................................................................................................................... 29 HISTORICAL BACKGROUND AND DEVEOPMENT OF PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH OF EAST AFRICA ........................................................................................... 29 2.1 Introduction .................................................................................................................. 29 2.2 Origin of Presbyterian Church of East Africa .............................................................. 29 2.2.1 Kibwezi Mission ....................................................................................................... 31 2.2.2 Kikuyu Mission ......................................................................................................... 32 2.2.3 Tumutumu Mission ................................................................................................... 34 2.2.4 Chogoria Mission ...................................................................................................... 35 2.3 Spread and challenge of African Culture...................................................................... 36 iv 2.4 The Church and the Political struggle for Independence .............................................. 39 2.5 Administrative Structure of PCEA ............................................................................... 41 2.5.1 Practice and Procedure Manual (P&P) ...................................................................... 42 2.5.2 Article Declaratory of Fundamentals of the PCEA ................................................... 44 2.5.3 Jitegemea (Self Supporting) ...................................................................................... 45 2.5.4 The Sacraments ......................................................................................................... 47 2.6 The Worship of the Church .......................................................................................... 48 2.7 Church Polity ............................................................................................................... 50 2.8 PCEA Current Status.................................................................................................... 51 2.8.1 Youth Ministry .......................................................................................................... 52 2.8.2 PCEA Langata Parish ................................................................................................ 54 2.9 Conclusion ................................................................................................................... 55 END NOTES ..................................................................................................................... 56 CHAPTER 3 ......................................................................................................................... 58 ASSESSEMENT OF YOUTH PROGAMMES IN PCEA LANGATA PARISH ............ 58 3.1 Introduction .................................................................................................................. 58 3.2 Catechism..................................................................................................................... 58 3.3 Pathfinder Group .......................................................................................................... 60 3.3.1 Pathfinder Bible Study .............................................................................................. 61 3.3.2 Teen Service .............................................................................................................. 63 3.4 Pacesetters (26 – 35 Years) .......................................................................................... 66 3.4.1
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