Diocese of Zululand

Diocesan Youth Organisation

One of the vibrant youth structures in the Anglican Church of Southern Africa, the Diocese of Zululand Youth Organisation is open to all young people who are baptized and confirmed.

It aims to help our youth come into a personal relationship with Christ and to teach the Doctrine as professed by the Church and practised by the Anglican Communion.

Emphasis is placed on the importance of worship and young people are encouraged to participate freely in liturgical worship, as well as to reach out to the youth of other denominations and assist those from disadvantaged and unstable environments. In this way, our youth are equipped with leadership and evangelism skills.

Structure
Owing to the increase in numbers at our bi-annual conferences, and the age gap between our youngest and oldest members, we have decided to divide the youth according to age. From 2009, they will assemble four times in four different places.

The age groups are: A 13-16; B 17-20; C 21-24 and D 25+ (Insika)

Goals for the future include:

The appointment of a Diocesan Youth Convenor/worker
Encouragement of each parish to have projects eg. gardens, etc.
Devising a service of admitting new members into the organisation
Suggesting of programmes for the year that each parish may follow
Formation of regional structures (clustering of archdeaconries)
Reaching out to all the youth of different races in the Diocese

Major Challenges and issues facing our Youth Ministry

External pressures ('pentecostal' churches) who confuse our youth by claiming that they are 'The Church' and that our baptism is void
Technology
Interfaith marriages
Haemorrhage (youth moving from home to tertiary institutions)
Non participation of youth from some race groups.

For further information or to join the organisation, please contact Mr Thamsanqa Mpanza (President) at: P O Box 194, Esikhawini 3887.

Or our chaplain, The Revd Monument Makhanya at: P O Box 170, Gingindlovu 3800 – or email makhanyamonument281@hotmail.com