Application of Online Church Services and Participation by Kenya Anglican Youth Organization in Cathedral Deanery, Thika Diocese, Kiambu County, Kenya
| dc.contributor.author | Ngari, Jackline Gaceri | |
| dc.date.accessioned | 2026-03-13T13:04:04Z | |
| dc.date.available | 2026-03-13T13:04:04Z | |
| dc.date.issued | 2025-11 | |
| dc.description | A Thesis Submitted to the School of Law, Arts and Social Sciences in Partial Fulfilment of the Requirements for the Award of the Degree of Master of Arts in Religious Studies of Kenyatta University, November 2025. Supervisors 1.Dr. John Bwire 2. Dr. Josiphine Gitome | |
| dc.description.abstract | This study investigated the adoption of online church platforms on youth participation within the Anglican Church of Kenya (ACK) deanery, addressing the decline in traditional youth attendance versus growing digital engagement in online church participation. Since 2017, the ACK has been promoting platforms like Facebook, YouTube, WhatsApp, and Twitter. Guided by Siemens' (2005) Connectivism Learning Theory, the research examined technology implementation at ACK’s St. Andrew’s and St. Monica’s Mugumo-ini parishes. Since 2017, the Anglican Church of Kenya (ACK) has actively promoted the use of online church platforms such as Facebook, YouTube, WhatsApp and Twitter driven by a decline in youth church participation. However, despite such initiatives, church attendance by the youth, stood at 10%. This shift aligns with the growing number of young people engaging with online platforms. The study explored the adoption of online church services and youth participation within ACK deanery, focusing on the involvement of young people in planning services and the challenges they face in online worship. Guided by George Siemens' (2005) Connectivism Learning Theory, the research examined how technology and innovation are implemented at ACK’s St. Andrew’s and St. Monica’s Mugumo-ini parishes. Empirical data on online services, youth engagement, and platform-related challenges were reviewed. A mixed-methods approach with a descriptive research design was employed, targeting a population of 1,055 and drawing a sample of 15% (159) through proportionate and purposive selection. A semi-structured questionnaire was administered to members of Kenya Anglican Youth Organisation (KAYO) and parents/guardians, FGD was carried out among church leadership and technical staff, whereas the bishop was interviewed. A pilot study was conducted in Memorial Parish and was not considered in the final study. This was done by calculating Pearson’s correlation and Cronbach Alpha, which met the 0.7 threshold. Face validity was carried out to ensure the accurateness of the questionnaire and interview schedule. Data collected was then analysed descriptively and thematically. The findings of the study showed that the church adopted Facebook at (84.6%), Twitter (0%), YouTube (38.5%), and WhatsApp (61.5%). On involvement of the youth, the study found that the church involved the youth in technical support 61.5%. Challenges faced by the youth in online church participation included distraction by other social media (61.6%), internet connectivity at 23% and cost of data at 15.4%. The study found that overall online church attendance among the youth stood at 38.5%. The study overall recommendations were that; the church ought to utilize YouTube and Facebook for live streaming, run online church services for the youth for a maximum 30 minutes, and use of WhatsApp for online bible study services. Further, the study recommends that the church should involve the youth, in planning, and implementing online church services and activities rather than limiting them to technical support. These may include offering strategic training on innovative online technologies to church leadership and monitor online youth participation by assessing statistics after each online service/activity. | |
| dc.identifier.uri | https://ir-library.ku.ac.ke/handle/123456789/32750 | |
| dc.language.iso | en | |
| dc.publisher | Kenyatta University | |
| dc.title | Application of Online Church Services and Participation by Kenya Anglican Youth Organization in Cathedral Deanery, Thika Diocese, Kiambu County, Kenya | |
| dc.type | Thesis |