Niue Fono Motu National Youth
They have some success stories to share in regards of Parish young people being innovative and work agaist the tide by bringing vitality into the body of Christ.
Some Niuean Presbyterian Churches struggle to maintain youth ministries. As the young become of age (ranges from 12 onwards) they leave the church. They begin to share with parents the reasons for Church not making sense to them at that stage of their lives. Churches often busy themselves in maintaining tradition, Church culture, identity and culture and most vigorously defend the maintenance of the Niue language.
It is agreed that these aspects of a migrant's life bear a strong connection with his or her home in the Pacific. But is this really the sole responsibilities of churches to uphold these valuable treasures at all cost?
Let us be clear that there is a decline in Niuean who are able to speak the language, and even more who have lost sight on what is important in their cultural identity. Being a kiwi is important, however, a kiwi with a rich heritage from a specific place and time, carrying the lifeline to the tupunas (forebears) does mould one to be a contributor to the rich multicultural mix that is the fabric of this Aotearoa.
Mix marriages does not suggest that this weakens the cultural connectiveness one has with Niue, what it may mean, is the emergence of a community that has both biological and relational ties to each other.
Again the question of faith; what is our core responsibility as the body of Christ?
How does your being Niuean effect your responsibility as a Christian?
Our young people face such questions daily.
Or should the question be reformatted?
How does one's christian beliefs effect one's behaviour as a Niuean?
Culture must be critiqued by the light of Christ. Any cultural practices that is not consistant with the teachings of our Lord Jesus Christ needs to be relooked at, even consider setting practices aside as not holding true to the values of Christ Jesus.
So how do we see the responsibilities that these youth and young adults are faced with in youth ministries. They do need our support in providing spiritual leadership, training in areas of leadership, discipleship and what it mean to be a follower of Jesus.
Church growth often is brought about by members asking a friend to come and experience something exciting and life changing in the community that meets regularly in worship on Sunday.
Some would find church in its traditional form which also is lined with cultural expression, church tradition and the Niuean language.
Others may find this alien, and continue to look elsewhere for something different.
Many may wish to follow the Charismatic and Pentecostal approach that normally found in more Assembly of God assemblies.
The young, seeks something that they identify with in their everyday life. Something loud, with beat and lyrics that is more in your face, sharing strong masculine themes. The message that often hits the mark are testimonials shared by those who are like them, who have found something good, and exciting from the Lord of hope.
If the influence that we hope to bring about among our youth and young Pacific Islanders is to be executed with some degree of success, we need to take a multi-layered approach and suggest different methods to be applied to appropriate enquirers looking and seeking something special that they have heard.
Last friday (4th May 2012) the Niue Fono Motu Executive committee ran a very successful Tivial persuite night at the Knox Parnell Church. About 60 young people from the Otara PIC, Henderson PIC Parish and Knox Parnell attended and all reported to have enjoyed the evening. (photos used above is from that event)
