By Akukwe, Francis Nnalue
Those who believe in Christ constitute a new people of God, reborn not
from a perishable seed but from an imperishable seed through the word
of the living God (1 Pet 1:23), not from flesh but from water and the
Holy Spirit (Jn. 3:5-6), and are established "a chosen people, a royal
priesthood, a holy nation ...'I (1 Pet 2:9-10). This is the messianic
people, the church, the head of which is Christ (Lumen Gentium No.
9). As the Father sent Jesus, He in turn sent His disciples to teach all
nations Un. 20:21). "The obligation of spreading the faith is imposed on
every Christian" (L.G. no. 17). Today in the Church, the smooth
running of this duty is imposed on the bishop of a diocese as a
supervisor. He has a number of helpers, some of whom are ordained and
others are not. Whatever their status, these helpers are supposed to
render specific services to some segment of Christian community. Youth
ministry refers to those services rendered to the growing members of the
Church.