Implications of Multiple Church Affiliations among the Youth in Reference to Bungoma County, Kenya
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Date
2023-05
Authors
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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.