- Collection:
- Interdenominational Theological Center Theses & Dissertations Collection
- Title:
- Resolving conflicts between the African cultural heritage and Western Christian beliefs and practices: a new curriculum for youth ministry, 2004
- Creator:
- Wairi, Joseph N.
- Date of Original:
- 2004-04-15
- Subject:
- Dissertations, Academic
Degrees, Academic - Location:
- United States, Georgia, Fulton County, Atlanta, 33.749, -84.38798
- Medium:
- theses
- Type:
- Text
- Format:
- application/pdf
- Description:
- This present dissertation is about one transitional moment in the education of youth becoming adults. It is that moment when the church asks who among the youth will come forward, declare faith, and join as active examples to others. Knowing and understanding both Christian beliefs and practices can enable persons and congregations in Christ to maintain a strong faith, a strong unity, a strong love and then ease the conflicts therein. Youth are profoundly shaped by secular culture. We must bring them to Jesus early and often through the language they can understand. Though they may wander off as the prodigal son did, these youth will still cherish the community that struggles to live the truth in love and walk in worship through the word. If we train them up in the way they should go, their hearts will not depart from it. Like the prodigal son's father, we have good reason to expect our youth will return home. God offers redemption and joyful living through Jesus Christ. The Bible reveals a life of victory instead of the anxious boredom so many experience today. But to discern Christian truth in our complex age, we must mutually submit ourselves to the Holy Spirit's schooling. To learn how God will have us love our Lord and our neighbors fully, we must nourish knowledge of ourselves as Christ's body, integrated in love. Not imagining ourselves in love, but living out the gospel in savior sharing that is justice-seeking, mercy-showing and peace-making. While this study is confined to one particular congregation, it could be readily adapted to similar circumstances in other congregations of the Presbyterian churches and some other denominations.
Date of award: 2004-04-15
Degree type: dissertation
Degree name: Doctor of Ministry (DMin)
Granting institution: Interdenominational Theological Center
Advisor: Chapman, Christine J. - Metadata URL:
- http://hdl.handle.net/20.500.12322/itc.td:2004_wairi_joseph_n
- Holding Institution:
- Interdenominational Theological Center (Atlanta, Ga.)
- Rights:
-
