The Methodist Church Nigeria has called for greater youth participation in church activities and administration as a means of preparing them for future leadership.
The church noted that inclusivity of youths in its norms, management, and teachings would help shape their character and make them responsible individuals capable of taking up leadership roles in society.
This call was made on Sunday during the third and final day of the 64th Synod of the Methodist Church Nigeria, Diocese of Lagos, held at Wesley Cathedral, Olowogbowo, Lagos State.
The synod, themed “I Will Fight for You,” began on Friday and ended on Sunday with a thanksgiving service. It also featured a fundraising session to support church projects.
The gathering, which serves as a general assembly to review church administration and strategies for achieving its goals, attracted members from across the world.
Speaking at the event, the Chairman of the Synod, Mr. Emmanuel Mboho, described the meeting as a call for the faithful to remain steadfast in fulfilling the Great Commission.
Mboho, an engineer who donated ₦7 million towards missionary work, expressed concern over the low turnout of youths, noting that their growing neglect of church and missionary activities should worry all stakeholders.
He decried what he described as the lukewarm attitude of many youths toward church activities, warning that such disposition could lead to deviant behaviour and render them unfit for future responsibilities.
The synod chairman also blamed parents and caregivers for the trend, urging them to instill values such as perseverance, faithfulness, dignity in service, and proper conduct in younger generations.
According to him, many youths have abandoned church teachings in pursuit of get-rich-quick schemes, exposing themselves to moral and societal decline.
“If we must sustain the good works of the church, the younger generation must be grounded in its structure, values, and administration.
“It is our responsibility as current leaders to instill discipline and virtuous values in them so they can carry on the Great Commission.
“As a church, we should remember that Jesus Christ carried out His earthly ministry within 30 years, yet His impact continues to sustain humanity.
“Therefore, parents and the church must guide youths to embrace sound values and avoid behaviours and associations that are inconsistent with Christian teachings and leadership,” he said.
In her remarks, the guest preacher, Very Rev. Titilayo Aladekomo of Wesley Chapel, Lekki, Lagos, stressed the urgency of reorienting youths for the church to remain relevant.
She advised parents to build closer relationships with their children to encourage openness and enable them to model godly behaviour.
Also speaking, the Methodist Archbishop of Lagos, Most Rev. Isaac Ayo-Olawuyi, reassured the congregation of divine victory despite challenges.
He urged Nigerians to seek God’s intervention for a turnaround in the nation’s fortunes for the collective good.
Ayo-Olawuyi described the church’s mandate to society as ongoing, noting that more efforts are needed to sustain its relevance.
He highlighted ongoing projects, including the Archbishop’s House and Wesley House in Agege, and called for support to complete them and expand the church’s humanitarian services.
The archbishop further encouraged youths to embrace stewardship and evangelism, which he said are core traditions of the church necessary for sustaining moral and societal transformation.
Reporting By Innocent Onoh