Creaw Portal

Saturday September 20, 2008 / The Standard

PAULINE OBONYO

Who will save the youth when the clergy and parents have fallen by,the roadside?

During my days in Sunday School, I was taught how to differentiate- the good from bad and went ahead to live by every word of it. Fighting was bad and we would be punished if we engaged in mischief, for we were little an­gels.

Times have changed and good old Sunday School has been turned into a small fash­ion house full of defiant children who cannot even offer an elder a seat. Charity begins at home, and these children are living a pirated life of their parents rendering the church helpless. Most parents spoil their children then send them off to church on Sunday to be taught good manners. Let's face it; church day is a holiday and not a 'holy day' to most people. Youngsters use their offertory to pay entry into Casinos, as their parents are oblivious of what tran­spires through the day.

What is the church not doing right that is making these young­sters drift away? Perhaps the ser­mons ought to be livelier and ear friendly like gospel music that has metamorphosed into rock and hip-hop. With this trend picking up, the church should think twice about its sheep that is going astray and try to pull them back.

Church leaders are setting a bad example to the youth. I re-cently saw a pastor join a crowd to stone a man who had allegedly stolen his phone. It can be argued he is only human and makes mistakes, but is he not preaching 'water and shamelessly drinking wine?

Some clergy behave like poli­ticians. Politics and church is like a mixture of water and oil, they are not compatible. When church leaders become imposters, preachers by day and politicians at night, the youth-get confused.

The consequences of this are rather evident. The youth can af­ford expensive magazines and novels but not a Bible. Church camps have become holiday hide­outs for most youths. Parents pay as much as Sh5,000 imagining their children are in good hands. For the youth, it is a chance to have fun with their mates and catch up on opposite sex relationships. Parents must note: One week of freedom from parental guidance is dangerous for the youngsters.

It is not uncommon to find church youth leaders hanging out in clubs. How are the youth sup­posed to trust or believe anything they say? Majority are' more con­cerned about material gain than spiritual needs. Do not be cheated, the youth know the situation and are aware of the shortcomings. So, who will mentor the church when the clergy and parents have fallen by the roadside?