Implications of Multiple Church Affiliations among the Youth in Reference to Bungoma County, Kenya

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Date
2023-05
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Kenyatta University
Abstract
::;l:il;llelvcl:llgcyoif‘l‘ll\llallgll is an emerging and growing trend globally among Christians, aavel {he un;jefl ~';1anf presents a new area that requ.lre exten‘swe .res.earch inquiry to prousity afiiliations) ;n 1g actl}(:rs. The current study examined the implications of multiple Bungoma Couty Kong e yopth in re.ference to El_gon Ward, Mt. P;lg'on Sub-County, ty, Kenya. The implications of multiple church affiliations among the vouth can be described through forms of multiple church affiliations, roles of the youth in the church, what youths expect the church to offer them, activities dedicated for the vouths, and general factors for multiple church affiliations and how they apply to the youth today. The problem under investigation by the proposed study relates to not only hO\.\' multiple church affiliations manifest among Christian youths but also how it affects their commitment to church. Accordingly, the study sought to evaluate the forms of multiple church affiliations among the Christian youth, establish factors underlying their multiple church affiliations, and identify activities that they are involved in. The background to the study demonstrates that multiple church affiliation among Christian youths is a growing practice at the local, regional, and global level. This study was justified because its findings would awaken the Church in developing values that can retain and sustain the youth in the Church. The broad themes for literature review included forms of multiple church affiliations, factors underlying multiple church affiliations, and activities for the youth in the church. The Social Bonding Theory guided the study. The researcher used a descriptive survey design, whose purpose is to help in unearthing people’s attitudes, habits, opinions, social, or educational issues. This research design was therefore found suitable in studying the implications of multiple church affiliations among the youths as it enabled the researcher to meet research objectives. Data generated from the instruments of the research was analyzed and presented through discussions, narratives, as well as descriptive statistics supported by tables and graphs. Secondary data was also generated from books, journals, research reports, periodicals and the internet. The target population comprised 1500 youths. The sample size was 150. Both male and female respondents were sampled through random, purposive and stratified sampling methods. The researcher used questionnaires, interviews, focused group discussions (FGDs), and participant observation (PO_) schedules to generate quantitative and qualitative data. The forms of the youth affiliations to these churches are hurch activities. Factors leading paid-up membership, registration, and participation in ¢ . e conservatism and leadership to multiple church affiliations among the youth includ and | ; and, monetary giving in the church. The findings imply that i rosperity gospel ! ::Shs:recsl; lljeadlzrshi};a gsholzlld devise ways of engaging the youths more by undc?rstandmg their roles in the church and their expectations from the church; cclli_\borate vylth youths to develop effective and specific strategies to addres_s factors ux_'xderlymg rn'ultlple chufch affiliations; and allow youths to participate in activities that excite them while also urging them to embrace the core activities of the church.
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