This text contemplates the dwindling church attendance of young adults and the rising divorce rates in Cameroon.
The Presbyterian Church Cameroon used to pride itself as a church that had a grip of its Christians in matters of family life. Of recent, there have been strange winds blowing through the church such that even the clergy have had to face cases of divorce. What happened?
Secondly, the pews are getting empty everyday as the youths now prefer to stay at home to watch online preachers. What can the church do to better the situation?
Table of Contents
INTRODUCTION
THE PURPOSE OF THIS PAPER
MAIN ISSUES
A. The Biblical background of Divorce
B. Divorce in the PCC.
C. Causes of Divorce within the PCC
D. Effects of Divorce
E. Proposed Recommendations on the Issue of Divorce
CONCLUSION
POSSIBLE CAUSES FOR THE DWINDLING CHURCH ATTENDANCE BY THE YOUTHS OF THE PCC
INTRODUCTION
1) SOCIETAL INFLUENCE
a) The world of entertainment
b) Fashion
c) Unemployment
2) TRADITIONAL CHURCH ACTIVITIES
a) Negative and boring sermons.
b) The quest for miracles
c) Financial contributions/local rules of the church.
Objectives and Topics
This paper examines divorce and youth church attendance as critical social problems affecting the Presbyterian Church in Cameroon (PCC). The author explores the biblical perspective on marriage and divorce, evaluates the current challenges facing congregants and clergy, and investigates why young people are increasingly disengaging from traditional church activities.
- Biblical interpretation of marriage and divorce
- Causes and social consequences of divorce within the PCC
- Pastoral recommendations for marriage counseling
- Societal influences on youth church attendance
- Evaluation of traditional church activities and financial expectations
Excerpt from the Book
A. The Biblical background of Divorce
Most of the official stand of many denominations today holds that divorce is forbidden and that no true Christian should go for the option. They rather prefer to emphasize the part of tolerance and forgiveness given that it is the direct teachings of scriptures. Hardly would any church in the past easily accept that divorce could be possible between two disgruntled people. But it seems today that there are divergent views concerning the biblical stand point on divorce. Before now and in Deuteronomy 24:1-4, the instruction on divorce says that there should be nothing like it unless it is accompanied by a letter of divorce. In Malachi 2:16, the Lord says “I hate divorce” and in Matthew 5:32 and 19:9 Jesus Christ teaches against divorce. Paul in the letter to the first Corinthians in chapter 7 insists on the issue of maintaining the marriage relationship free from the threat of divorce so that the name of the Lord may be glorified (Archibald, T. R. 1931). Culturally, the Jews were allowed to marry as many women as they can and they could even keep concubines. The men could divorce at will over little issues such as the exposing of hair in public, too much salt in food or even when a man sees a more attractive woman than his wife (Denison, J: 2009). The Jews in their context saw nothing wrong in being fed up with a marriage and this explains why according to Denison, J (2009), Moses’ law was meant to curb the excesses of the men’s injustice over the women.
Summary of Chapters
A. The Biblical background of Divorce: Analyzes diverse theological interpretations regarding the permissibility of divorce and examines historical Jewish cultural practices in relation to scriptural texts.
B. Divorce in the PCC.: Details the official stance of the Presbyterian Church in Cameroon on marriage, highlighting the tension between strict biblical adherence and the practical need to protect individuals in abusive situations.
C. Causes of Divorce within the PCC: Outlines fourteen primary factors contributing to marital breakdown, including unfaithfulness, financial mismanagement, lack of premarital counseling, and external societal pressures.
D. Effects of Divorce: Explores the profound psychological and social impacts on children and the broader community, linking broken homes to potential maladjustment and economic hardship.
E. Proposed Recommendations on the Issue of Divorce: Offers strategic advice for the church, emphasizing the necessity of professional marriage counseling, improved premarital training, and increased pastoral involvement.
1) SOCIETAL INFLUENCE: Discusses how secular entertainment, modern fashion trends, and economic pressures negatively impact the engagement of youth within the church.
2) TRADITIONAL CHURCH ACTIVITIES: Critiques the effectiveness of current church services, suggesting that rigid sermons, a lack of youth involvement in decision-making, and financial demands drive young people away.
Keywords
Divorce, Presbyterian Church in Cameroon, PCC, Christian marriage, Biblical background, Social problems, Youth attendance, Pastoral counseling, Premarital counseling, Marital instability, Church administration, Societal influence, Marriage ethics, Family welfare, Faithfulness
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the primary focus of this research?
The work focuses on two significant social issues within the Presbyterian Church in Cameroon: the causes and effects of divorce among Christians, and the reasons for the decline in church attendance among the youth.
What are the central themes discussed in the paper?
The core themes include theological interpretations of divorce, the impact of marriage breakdown on families and the community, pastoral strategies for intervention, and the disconnect between traditional church practices and the modern expectations of young people.
What is the main objective of the author?
The objective is to provide a comprehensive overview of these social problems, analyze their root causes within the specific context of the PCC, and suggest practical pastoral solutions to improve marital stability and youth engagement.
Which research methods are employed?
The author utilizes a mix of literature review, analysis of church documents (like the Book of Orders), and qualitative observations from church life, including personal pastoral experiences and case examples from local congregations like PC Fiango.
What topics are covered in the main section of the paper?
The main section covers the biblical background of divorce, the current policy and reality of divorce within the PCC, specific factors leading to marital failure, the negative impacts of divorce on children and society, and proposed reforms for church leadership and counseling.
What are the key terms that define this work?
The work is defined by terms such as marriage, divorce, pastoral counseling, youth engagement, social problems, Christian ethics, and the organizational challenges of the church.
How does the author characterize the issue of divorce as a 'social problem'?
The author argues that divorce transcends private disputes because its consequences, such as impact on children and the extended family, affect the stability of the entire society, thereby requiring collective action from the church.
What specific reasons does the author give for the dwindling youth attendance?
Key reasons include the appeal of secular media and entertainment, friction caused by the church's stance on fashion, economic difficulties, dissatisfaction with 'boring' sermons, and a perceived lack of youth agency in church decision-making.
Does the author suggest that divorce is always wrong?
While upholding the general Christian view that divorce is not a blessing, the author acknowledges that in cases of human frailty and life-threatening situations, the church must balance strict biblical injunctions with the need to save lives.
- Arbeit zitieren
- Emmanuel Wayi (Mico) (Autor:in), 2016, Divorce and Church dwindling in the Presbyterian Church Cameroon. A Sociological perspective, München, GRIN Verlag, https://www.grin.com/document/336991
