As the Coptic Church in Australia moves into it’s third decade, the relationship between the YOUTH AND THE CHURCH constitutes a challenge not simply for the very survival as Coptic Orthodox Christians in Australia. Indeed, the effectiveness of our church in the next decade depends on whether the spiritual pastoral, cultural, educational and social needs of our youth are met within the church today.
WHAT IS THE CHURCH?
Any discussion about the church, presupposes a true understanding of its nature and mission. The word church is derived from the Greek: Ekklesia , meaning the assembly of God’s people. Accordingly, the church embraces all believers and constitutes the Mystical Body whose head is CHRIST and whose members are all Christians: young and old. Paul says: “You are the body of CHRIST and members in particular.” (1 COR 12:27) St. John Chrysostom uses a vivid image to express this mystical relationship. He says: “Just as from many single grains one loaf of bread is made so we, who are many, form one Body of Christ.”
Thus, the Lord Jesus as Saviour together with St. Mary, the Angels as our protectors, the Saints as co-workers in our struggle, the clergy and all the faithful Constitute the One Holy Universal and Apostolic church which we proclaim and profess in the Nicene Creed.
In light of this understanding of the church, we should consider the youth not as a distinct Category on its own or as the Church of tomorrow for they are the church of today. Moreover, in Australia our Coptic Church Constitutes the centre of out community life.
In addition to its spiritual and pastoral services it is a forum where the cultural, educational and even social life and activities are practices and promoted.
THE YOUTHFUL YEARS
In general, the crucial years for young people are between the ages of 14 and 22. They are years of development, anxiety, restlessness often marked with extremes of success and frustration, enthusiasm and depression, search for independence and the desire to belong to a group.
During this time the young are searching for an identity, preparing for a profession, trying to secure social acceptance and endeavoring to find meaning in their life. The elder members in the church (including parents, clergy, youth leaders and servants) should recognise the special psychological and sociological state of our young people. Consequently, they would embrace them in Christ’s love and encourage them to grow in appreciating their “ Coptic heritage ” and their Egyptian Culture .
How do out youth respond to these challenges? What does our church offer in order to involve the youth in its mission in Australia? In order to answer these questions, we need to consider several approaches in which we may see out young people directly involved in the life of the church. Among these approaches the most significant ones might be:
- Communication
- Participation
- Acceptance
- Fellowship
COMMUNICATION
The need for dialogue is strongly felt by today’s youth, as members of the church young people expect to find support and guidance in the church through dialogue. Without dialogue there is no communication and without communication there can be not true development in the church. Many young people find it difficult to relate to their church for one of more of the following reasons:
a) Conflict with the elders at the time when young people are undergoing identity crises and searching for freedom and independence
b) Difference in ways of thinking and the language barrier between young and old
c) Affluence in society which stands out in contrast to the spirit of self denial advocated by the church
d) Cultural conflicts (Egyptians and Australians) coupled with a generation gap.
e) Mass Media Culture and it’s promotion of secularism and revolt against traditional values.
Communication is most crucial and central in the youth church relationship. Youth like to talk and have time to talk. Youth groups serve as an excellent forum for discussions, workshops and questions where all the youth can actively participate.
Through such topics as Bible studies, spiritualities, church rites and dogmas, social problems, moral issues, stories of Saints, video sessions, the Christian character of the youth is developed, providing freedom for initiative and creativity. Further, they stimulate involvement by allowing persons to assume responsibility.
PARTICIPATION
Participation and involvement in the life of the church is the next significant element in the church-youth relationship. Young people should be encouraged to become responsible members of the church by their active participation in parish life. Given he opportunity to participate, the youth then feels they are truly part of the Church Community not merly spectators at the liturgy, meetings, outings and camps. Every effort should be made to utilize the many and varied skills and talents of each youth. Greater sensitivity and openness should be shown by the elders, if we are to include the youth in the mission of the church, remembering that, “we are partners working together for God” (1 COR 3:9)
ACCEPTANCE
The third element, that of acceptance is one where we should start to recognizing the basic needs of our youth. All of us want to be accepted by others. We all need friendship, love and forgiveness. Young people are no exception to this rule, but their struggle is harder because they are also struggling to accept themselves. Thus the church should utilize this strong desire of the young to belong by accepting then as they are. “Receive one another,” writes St. Paul, “even as Christ has received you.” (ROM 15:7)
Young people want to love and be loved, to be independent but also to feel that they are needed. Accordingly, our churches should establish a warm and healthy atmosphere, where the young people feel accepted as Egyptian/Australian and proud of their twin cultures. Such acceptance should be shown not in word alone but in a rel and practical manner, if it is to be effective.
Let us ask ourselves honestly: Are we welcoming the youth into the life and worship of the church? Are we prepared to accept them as they are now?
FELLOWSHIP
The church must not only welcome but also incorporate the youth into a spirit of fellowship or Koinonia in Christ. Within the spirit of fellowship, the young will discern God’s will in the midst of disillusionment. No one is a Christian alone; we are all members of the body of Christ. We are all called to grow no in isolation but in relation to other within the church community. We do not address God in the Lord’s Prayer, for example as My Father rather Our Father, thus implying and affirming out fellowship in God as our Common Father and others as our brother and sisters.
Every effort should be made to rekindle the spirit of fellowship of the early Church. (ACTS 2:43-47 & ACTS 4:32-35) We need to experience an authentic and warm Christian Koinonia. If our youth cannot find fellowship at church they will seek it elsewhere thus we need visible manifestation of fellowship.
In Retrospect
Youth is a time for questioning, for searching, for experimenting – a cross roads of honest indecisions. At the same time young people have unique and vital contributions to make to the life of their church. Several ways of approach like communication, participation, acceptance and fellowship – can make the church youth relationship work effectively. Through these elements, both young people and elders in the church can become proud of their Coptic/Egyptian culture. When all is said the vital question for out Coptic church of Australia is:
How can our youth best experience the fullness of life in the church without letting others despise their youth. (TITUS 2:15)
Last modified: May 26, 2020
