Step into any Methodist society on a Sunday morning, and you’ll be enveloped by the familiar: the solemn cadence of Methodist hymns, the rhythm of liturgy, and the sacred hush of reverence. But beneath the surface, a quiet question echoes through the sanctuary, one that cannot be ignored:
Where are the young people?
Yes, some are present. But many more are absent, drawn away by digital tribes, secular ideologies, and communities that seem to speak their language more fluently. The Methodist Church Ghana does not suffer from a lack of doctrine or discipline. What it may seem to lack is connection. Young people today are not merely seeking a place to worship; they are yearning for someone to walk with them. They crave mentorship, not just membership.
Why Mentorship?
Mentorship is not a sermon. It is not a program. It is a relationship - intentional, consistent, and transformative. It is the sacred act of one generation pouring into another, not with judgment, but with wisdom.
In a world where identity is fragmented, purpose is elusive, and faith is often challenged, mentorship becomes the bridge between the timeless gospel and the urgent questions of today.
As Proverbs 27:17 reminds us, “Iron sharpens iron, and one man sharpens another.” Without mentorship, the church risks becoming a museum of tradition. With it, we become a movement of transformation.
Practical Illustrations
Career and Faith Integration
Picture a young banking graduate in Kumasi, torn between corporate ambition and Christian integrity. A mentor, perhaps a seasoned Methodist executive, can offer more than advice. They may offer a living testimony: that it is possible to thrive professionally without compromising spiritually.
“The greatest good you can do for another is not just to share your riches, but to reveal to him his own.” — Benjamin Disraeli
Relationships and Life Choices
In Accra, a young woman wrestles with peer pressure and the complexities of modern dating. A mentor who shares real stories of heartbreak, healing, and holy choices can guide herthrough the fog, not with lectures, but with lived experience.
“Remember your Creator in the days of your youth…” — Ecclesiastes 12:1
Church Leadership Succession
We often say, “The youth are the future of the church.” And indeed, they already have some platforms to serve - leading gospel bands, fellowships, and committees. But having a platform is not enough. What they need is intentional mentorship and a deliberate push to grow into the bigger roles of the church.
Through guided opportunities, class leaders, stewards, and lay preachers can do more than simply involve the youth; they can intentionally groom and push them into responsibilities that sharpen their leadership today, not just tomorrow.
“And the things you have heard me say… entrust to reliable people who will also be qualified to teach others.” — 2 Timothy 2:2
The Suspense We Cannot Ignore
Let us pause and ask the uncomfortable question:
What happens if we do nothing?
• More pews will quietly empty.
• Young professionals will reduce church to a Sunday ritual, not a life-shaping community.
• The next generation may inherit our structures, but not our spirit.
But what happens if we act?
• Methodist societies across Ghana could become vibrant mentorship hubs.
• Intergenerational dialogue will flourish.
• Young people will not only stay, they will lead, invite, and innovate.
“The church is always one generation away from extinction.” — Dawson Trotman
This is not a distant threat. It is a present suspense. And the clock is ticking.
The Way Forward
Here’s how we begin: not with blame, but with boldness:
• Formal Mentorship Programs: Every society can pair youth with trained mentors, spiritual, professional, and relational.
• Testimony & Experience Nights: Create one evening service a month with storytelling sessions from older members.
• Professional Networks: Create Methodist business, health, legal, and creative circles where mentorship flows naturally.
• Youth in Leadership: Introduce shadowing opportunities, let young people learn by doing, not just watching. Older folk should carry the young ones along in their duties.
These are not radical ideas. They are revival strategies.
A Charge to the Young People: Don’t Just Wait - Reach Out
While the call for mentorship rightly challenges the church’s leadership to act, young people must also rise to the occasion. The future of the Methodist Church Ghana is not only shaped by those who lead, it is shaped by those who are willing to be led, to learn, and to lean in.
What Can Young People Do?
1. Seek Out Mentors Intentionally
Don’t wait for a formal program to be launched. Look around your society, identify someone whose life reflects the values you admire. Approach them. Ask questions. Build a relationship.
“He who walks with the wise grows wise.” — Proverbs 13:20
2. Be Teachable
Mentorship thrives on humility. Be open to correction, eager to learn, and willing to grow. Your posture determines your progress.
“Teach me your way, Lord, that I may rely on your faithfulness.” — Psalm 86:11
3. Engage in Church Life Beyond Sunday
Join a ministry. Volunteer. Attend organisational meetings. Attend Bible Class. Leadership is not given; it is cultivated through service and consistency.
“Whatever your hand finds to do, do it with all your might.” — Ecclesiastes 9:10
4. Start Peer Mentorship
You don’t have to wait until you’re 40 to mentor someone. If you’ve overcome something, share it. If you’ve learned something, teach it. Peer mentorship creates a ripple effect of growth.
“Let no one despise your youth, but be an example…” — 1 Timothy 4:12
5. Ask for What You Need
If your society lacks mentorship structures, speak up respectfully. Suggest ideas. Offer to help organize. Your voice matters.
“Ask, and it will be given to you; seek, and you will find…” — Matthew 7:7
Final Word to the Youth
You are not just the future; you are the now. The church needs your energy, your questions, your creativity, and your courage. Mentorship is a two-way street. As the experiencedextend their hands, be ready to grasp them, not just to receive, but to walk together.
“The best way to predict the future is to create it.” — Peter Drucker
Let’s build a church where generations don’t just coexist, they collaborate. Where wisdom meets curiosity. Where heritage births legacy.
Conclusion: Legacy or Loss?
The Methodist Church Ghana has a rich heritage. But heritage without mentorship becomes history. Legacy, on the other hand, is heritage passed on with purpose.
The time to bridge the gap is now.
“One generation shall commend your works to another, and shall declare your mighty acts.” — Psalm 145:4
The question is no longer whether mentorship is needed. The real suspense is this:
Will we rise to the challenge before it is too late?
Archibald Attukwei Korley
Coordinator for Education and Youth Development
& NADYDM Ex-officio