Revitalising Rural and Township Youth Ministryin South Africa through Digital Innovation

• Authors: Ntsanwisi Samuel

Title variants

PL

Ożywianie duszpasterstwa młodzieży wiejskiej i miejskiej w Republice Południowej Afryki poprzez innowacje cyfrowe

• Languages of publication: EN

Abstracts

EN

This article explores the potential of digital innovation in revitalising rural and township youth ministry in South Africa, acknowledging the challenges churches face in engaging their youth in the evolving digital landscape. The study advocates for integrating digital platforms to complement physical interactions, emphasising the need for strategies resonating with digitally connected youth. Public theology is intro-duced as a paradigm encouraging the intertwining of faith with societal needs. While recognising the promise of digital engagement, the article addresses unique challenges in rural areas, proposing solutions such as community access points and partnerships for inclusivity. The collaborative model envisions a hybrid approach, blending physi-cal and virtual interactions through a game-like platform. The methodology involves a comprehensive literature review and cross-sectional analysis of successful digital en-gagement initiatives, informing a dynamic model. In conclusion, the article argues that embracing digital innovation and public theology can bridge traditional and tech--savvy preferences, fostering a vibrant youth community with spiritual growth and meaningful societal impact.

PL

Przedmiotem badań przedstawionych w niniejszym artykule jest potencjał innowacji cyfrowych w odniesieniu do ożywiania duszpasterstwa młodzieży wiejskiej i miejskiej w Republice Południowej Afryki w perspektywie stojących przed kościo-łami wyzwań w zakresie angażowania młodzieży w rozwijającą się rzeczywistość wir-tualną. Badania prowadzą do wniosku, że platformy cyfrowe powinny być rozwijane jako uzupełnienie bezpośrednich kontaktów i należy opracować strategie działań od-powiadających młodzieży funkcjonującej w wirtualnej rzeczywistości. W analizie wy-korzystano teologię publiczną jako paradygmat wskazujący na przenikanie się wia-ry z potrzebami społecznymi. Odnosząc się do zjawiska zaangażowania cyfrowego młodzieży, w artykule omówiono wyjątkowe wyzwania na obszarach wiejskich w tym względzie i zaproponowano rozwiązania, takie jak punkty dostępu dla społeczności i partnerstwo na rzecz inkluzji społecznej. Model współpracy przewiduje podejście hybrydowe, łączące interakcje fizyczne i wirtualne za pośrednictwem platformy przy-pominającej grę. Metodologia obejmuje kompleksowy przegląd literatury i przekrojo-wą analizę udanych inicjatyw zaangażowania cyfrowego, tworząc model dynamiczny. Podsumowując, w artykule dowodzono, że wykorzystanie innowacji cyfrowych i od-wołanie do teologii publicznej mogą pokonać barierę między duszpasterstwem trady-cyjnym oraz zorientowanym na wykorzystanie technologii, wspierając tętniącą życiem społeczność młodzieżową, zapewniającą rozwój duchowy i mającą znaczący wpływ społeczny.

Keywords

EN

rural and township youth ministry; digital innovation; digital engagement; public theology; youth ministry landscape

PL

duszpasterstwo młodzieży wiejskiej i miejskiej; innowacje cyfrowe; zaangażowanie cyfrowe; teologia publiczna; krajobraz duszpasterstwa młodzieży

• Publisher: Uniwersytet Mikołaja Kopernika w Toruniu. Wydawnictwo UMK
• Journal: Paedagogia Christiana
• Year: 2024
• Volume: 1/53
• Pages: 173-197

Contributors

author

Ntsanwisi Samuel

• Durban University of Technology

• https://orcid.org/0000-0003-0036-5491

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Identifiers

DOI

10.12775/PCh.2024.008