Pastors' perceptions of relevance of youth ministry in Pentecostal Church of Kiremba (Burundi)

Abstract

The purpose of this study was to investigate perceptions of pastors of Pentecostal Church of Kiremba. The study focus was four areas of the youth ministry. These are: Rationale, goals, contents, and style. Information was collected through administration of questionnaire. The study population was the thirty pastors of the Pentecostal Church of Kiremba. They were grouped into four categories: Older/Trained, Older/Untrained, Younger/Trained and Younger/Untrained pastors. The research questions were the following: 1. What perceptions do the Pentecostal Church of Kiremba pastors have about the rationale of youth ministry? 2. What perceptions, do the Pentecostal church of Kiremba pastors have about the goals of youth ministry? 3. What perceptions, do the Pentecostal church of Kiremba pastors have about the content of youth ministry? 4. What perceptions, do the Pentecostal church of Kiremba pastors have about the style of youth ministry? 5. Are there any substantial differences in perceptions among the pastors of Pentecostal church of Kiremba? The results revealed that the pastors of Pentecostal Church of Kiremba at the time of the study did not have one perception of youth ministry. The four categories of pastors mentioned above held different opinions of youth ministry. The pastors' perceptions of youth ministry revealed some inclination towards evangelism and discipleship as their major interest in youth ministry. Based on the findings from the study, recommendations were made to the Church to listen to the youths in order to know their felt needs and expectations and thus offer a youth ministry that is pertinent to its young people. The Church should tap the potentials of youths by permitting them to take a fitting share in planning and running youth ministry.