Challenges faced by teenagers in the 21st century: with Reference to three local churches in Gauteng

Abstract

It is a fact, as parents raise the teens that they will experience the normal feelings of confusion, frustration, and misunderstanding at various times of their lives. This has been confirmed by notable authors that much of the confusion, frustration, and misunderstanding between adults and their teens exists as a normal part of living with a child that is growing up. Gaining knowledge by parents, youth pastors, church leaders, and all youth practitioners in regard to the challenges facing teenagers in the 21 st century will help overcome many of the concerns, and also help close the cultural-generational gap that exist. Empirical studies was done by a questionnaire instrument. Tlie churches that participated in this project are: Crystal Tabernacle church Eldorado Park, Koinonia Bible church Sebokeng and Grace Bible church also at Sebokeng. 120 respondents were interviewed. The results did not falsify or verify the hypothesis reflected in this thesis. However, the results verified the challenges the youth is facing in the 21 st century era. The study recommend to the youth leaders and youth practitioners in general, to subscribe to the theological and teleological aspects of the youth ministry as reflected in this study. Youth ministry should be viewed and understood as part of a comprehensive, inclusive and differentiated ministry of the congregation, with catechesis as a vital component.

Afrikaans: Dat ouers tydens die opvoeding van tieners die normale verwarring, frustrasie en misverstande sal ervaar, is 'n feit. Skrywers bevestig dat werwarring, frustrasie en misverstande tussen volwassenes en tieners deel van die normale lewe 'n groeiende kind is. Kennisname deur ouers, jeug predikers, kerkleiers en jeugwerkers van die uitdagings vir die adolessente van die 21 st eeu, mag 'n bydrae lewer om die vooroordele, wat as gevolg van generasie gapings bestaan, teen te werk. Empiriese navraag is deur middel van vraelyste gedoen. Die gemeentes wat aan hierdie navraag deelgenem het, is: Crystal Tabernacle Gemeente Eldorado Park, Koinonia Bible Gemeente Sebokeng en Grace Bible Gemeente ook in Sebokeng. Na aanleiding van 120 onderhoude wat gevoer is, is verskeie elemente van die gestelde hipotese bevestig of as vals bewys. Die uitkomste bevestig egter die uitdagings waarvoor die jeug van die 21st staan. Die studie beveel aan dat teologiese en teleogiese perspektiewe die jeugbediening van jeugwerkers en jeugleiers moet onderle. Jeugbediening moet is 'n geintergreerde deel van die bediening in die gemeente waarvan kategese 'n belangrike onder afdeling vorm.