2022 CACYOF National Leadership Retreat: Pastor Oludare identifies why youths leave CAC, other churches, suggests wayout

Pastor S.E.A. Oludare


By Boluwatife Oparinde

The Superintendent, Christ Apostolic Church, Yaba Districts' Coordinating Council (DCC), Lagos, Pastor S. E. A. Oludare has analyzed the reasons for youth exodus in CAC, the needs of the youths and suggestions on what to do to retain them in the church.


Pastor SEA as he is fondly called, expressed that the theme of the 2022 CACYOF National Leadership Retreat which is "Grow the Youth, Grow the Church" is a statement of fact, furthering that, "to grow the youths of a church is to grow the church at large. The younger generation will take up the leadership of tomorrow. If they are left to stray today, then the future of the church is not guaranteed."


He clearly described that the exodus of youths to other denominations is not peculiar to CAC but other orthodox churches like Anglican and Methodist, highligting that some of the reasons given by the youths for the migration are, "we are tired of pretending; we now know the truth; our church is too shallow; our church is too judgmental; our church is too exclusive; our church is too unfriendly with those who doubt; our church is too over protective; our church gives no room to feminine development; our church is crossed with science; our church does not encourage secular education for her ministers; majority of our ministers are old or old schools; poverty mentality radiates in our church; lack of peer group of elites or working class; the current crisis in CAC; and the church mode, language and duration of worship."


He also attested that the findings of a scientific research conducted in 2019 to check the reason for the migration revealed that, lack of conducive worship center, lack of welfare packages for youths, neglect by mother church, doctrinal issues, lack of socio-religious activities in church, current crisis in CAC, underutilization of talented youths and the calibre of ministers, are other opinionated reasons given by the youths. 


Noting that the Media (Social media especially), Friends, Schools and Parents are agents that aid migration of youths, Pastor Oludare suggested the dynamics employed by the early apostles to retain their members.


"Making sure they receive the word (Acts 2:41). Baptism must be after salvation (Acts 2:41). Make sure they are integrated into to the church (Acts 2:41). Continuity is key: doctrine, fellowship, Holy Common and prayer (Acts 2:42). Demonstration of grace by our ministers (Acts 2:43). Communal life void of nepotism or favouritism (Acts 2:44). Meeting of the needs of the youths (Acts 2:45). Fellowship, visitation, connectivity (Acts 2:46). Joy and gladness with sincerity of heart must be seen (Acts 2:46)," he listed.


Pastor Oludare concluded that the youths need, "a place with Jesus, a place with adults who care, a place to belong, a place to serve, a place to encourage and be encouraged, a place to grow and a place to be genuinely loved" which according to him, "will keep our young people in church."


"We have lost so many youths who are making impacts in other denominations. Although the migration can’t be totally stopped, it is important that we take a bold step to minimize it to the lowest level," he added.

16 Comments

  1. May God help our church leaders to embrace the suggested solution to the problems as naratted by the man of God

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  2. Yes sir, most of our young pastor they don't want to go to secular school again after seminary and many of them don't want to do any job apart from be a pastor and many of our pastor are not well educated am sorry to say this. We also do things in old way,

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  3. Please sir I think in the pastor ordination will need to take secular school important at list ND certificate and course on church management for every pastor because most of our pastor don't know now to management the Church.

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  4. Sir most our pastors they are doing everything in old way

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  5. The focus of the Church is not on the youth, the church is not creating enough platform for the youth that will engaged the youth ...

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  6. Some of the reasons are ok for adjustment. Thank God the authorities are listening. When it comes to issues of doctrines, the youths, in my opinion should accept and promote our identity . We don't need to be like other nations but rather to please goi

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  7. The worst part of it is that because most of our youth manifest in the holyspirit, they are not allowed to officiate in church service

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  8. The issue of unity of the church need urgent attention.The church need to go back to one fold one Shepard.

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  9. The youths are not encouraged to stay and used their own talent to operate as part of the church.

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  10. It is pathetic that our so called pastors see the youth as rebels just because they demand a platform to be useful to the church. Imagine a church where the youth are tagged rebels just because we demand a youth fellowship centre or a youth church. Cos of this our youth fellowship has been grounded for years and viable youths leaving the church.

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  11. Our church leaders, elders and pastors needs reorientation of the importance of youth in church growth and how to manage them. God will intervene cos we are tired oooo

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  12. we listen and meditate on God long enough, he's sure to say something to us. We have to be willing to listen though, and not discount what is being said. Satan will do everything he can to keep us from listening to God. African church near me

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