THE SENIOR AND THE CHURCH

INTRODUCTION:

The Seniors in the BB is the most tasking and challenging group. It is difficult yet enjoyable because the group comprises teenagers or young adults. They are experiencing changes in all aspects of life. Therefore, whoever is involved in this group needs extra care in dealing and relating with them. 

The end-time and its troubles are affecting all aspects of human lives. In these challenging times, there are many troubled young people or teenagers. Some of these troubled young people are rebelling against their parents. Your influence as officers of the BB could bring them around. It could make a difference in their lives.  We are not merely raising teenagers or young people to avoid embarrassment. We are training up the next generation of citizens for our nation. More significantly, we are preparing them for the kingdom of God and the usefulness of our church. 

THE BB COMPANY AND THE CHURCH 

The church is very important for the BB Company to exist. The BB cannot operate in isolation from the church. Its loyalties, its tradition and the achievement of the object depend on a sound church-centred relationship at the company level. It is important in the company’s work. The captain must establish the closest co-operation with the chaplain and the church. This includes any other organisation of which the company is a part. It must be noted that the chaplain must ensure officers have Christian character. They must be members or adherents of a church or other Christian organization. Officers should be desirous of promoting the object of the Brigade. It is the church which appoints her members as Officers. 

Other things which the church is expected to do for the company are; 

1. To provide the basic materials that the company will get itself established. 

2. To ensure that the appointed officers attend basic leadership training needed for the job. 

3. To help the company conduct its first enrolment service in the church. Then, the subsequent enrolment services are held annually. 

4. To see to it that the company gives regular weekly moral, religious and Christian discipline training to the Boys. 

HONORARIES AND THE SENIORS 

The Company Chaplains are the spiritual fathers of the Company. They should be invited to staff meetings, even if he is only able to attend a few. He should be fully consulted regarding matters connected with the senior section,  including the Christian education of the seniors. All other honoraries, such as Patrons, Honorary Officers, and Advisers, should be encouraged to be visible to the Boys. Only then will they be able to play a major part as role models and character builders. They also serve as a moral check on the activities of the boys. They should be invited to make regular informal contacts with the seniors. They can join in some of the section’s activities. If they have a hobby, interest, or talent beyond their normal church role, they should share it with the seniors. This should only be done if it may positively affect them. Officers of the section should always work closely with the honoraries. They should cooperate to ensure that the ultimate goal of the Brigade is continuously fulfilled. 

THREE NECESSARY THINGS FOR BRILLIANT SENIORS 

1. Teach them to ask questions. Encourage them to ask lots of questions. They should do this when they are around people who know more than they do. 

2. Help them develop a teachable spirit. Someone once said, ‘’It’s what you learn after you know it all that  counts.’’ Help them make habit of never going to sleep without having learned something new that day.

3. Challenge them to have passion for God. Encourage them to be devoted to the things of God. Inspire them to be highly interested in all activities that have to do with Christ and the church. 

SENIORS AND EVANGELISM IN THE CHURCH 

The seniors are teenagers or young adults. They are agile and strong. All efforts should focus on activities that boost the company’s numerical strength. These efforts should also aim to increase the church’s numerical strength. Captains and Officers  should encourage the seniors to show interest in evangelism. Seniors should use every means within their disposal. They need to be good ambassadors at all times wherever they are.  

SPECIFIC ENGAGEMENT FOR SENIOR BOYS WITHIN THE CHURCH 

1. Church membership; A member of a church is one who subscribes to its dictates and believes. The age  group of the senior section form the catchment age for official recruitment into the church. The Boys  should therefore be encouraged to submit to the full membership by attending  Membership/Baptismal/Confirmation Classes. The Chaplain should be contacted to handle this, so that  the full implication can be fully discussed and understood by the boy. 

2. Regular attendance at church services should be constantly stressed. Where applicable, register of  attendance record should be maintained. 

3. Active participation at church programme: Senior Boys should be encouraged to participate actively in  all the programmes of the church which are relevant to him. E.g. seminars, vigils, bible study evangelism  etc.  

4. Special Days: Seniors should also be encouraged to participate actively during special occasions such  as anniversaries, marriages, harvest. 

5. Vehicular control: Senior Boys are well suited for assisting in vehicular control/arrangement of parking  lot during church programmes. 

6. Church Groups: preparatory to their discharge from the BB Senior Boys should be encouraged to take  active part in the activities of various church groups/arms that catches his fancy e.g. the choir ,guild of  stewards/ ushers, prayer warriors, Sunday school teachers, alter guild/servers etc. The boy should not  be forced to join any of the groups but should rather be encouraged to take up membership of the one  that interest him most. 

7. Peer to peer influence and evangelism: As a regular member of a church, the senior boys can positively  influence their peers from vices and unchristian behaviour. 

8. Positive image laundering: the senior can also project a positive Christian image for their church through  their behaviour, both within and outside the church. 

9. Church of tomorrow: fundamentally, the senior boys form the foundation of the church of tomorrow by  keeping them active; the BB is indirectly preserving the vibrancy of the church of tomorrow. 

10. Committee Members: Active senior boys are also useful members of youth group etc. Committees in the  church. 

CONCLUSION 

Seniors are at a transitional period in their lives, they will be making decisions affecting their futures and they  do exhibits varying social, physical and emotional traits occasionally. Officers should prepare to offer sensitive  counselling and help when required and also tackle some controversial issues when necessary. The aim of the  senior and the church is to encourage each young man to achieve his potential and to gain a greater  understanding of Christian faith and be ready to make a Christian commitment. They should be actively  encouraged to be involved in all aspects of the church. Officers must have a constant awareness that the seniors  are evolving his spiritual self and seek to encourage, support and stimulate evolution. It is at the senior section  level in particular that the object of the BB is fulfilled, and the works undertaken in the other sections come to  fruition. Each company should therefore endeavour to ensure that more young people are introduced to Christ  and the church. 

Our Senior Boys are a timeless message we will send into the generation we will never see, what kind  of message will you send to the next generation?