Nigeria Churches: A Generational Divide?

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I recently got the opportunity to be a bit of a church ashewo—which, for those unfamiliar, simply means hopping from one church to another. (If the term triggered you, my bad. I promise it’s not that deep.) I’ve always been curious about what other believers are feeding on in their various churches, but I never really got the chance to explore outside of special programs or invited services. That curiosity only grew stronger when I moved to a new city, and suddenly, the opportunity presented itself.

I had an assignment, and I was on the clock. My goal? Visit as many churches as possible to get a sense of their teachings, atmosphere, and general vibe before deciding on the one that best fit me. I didn’t get to explore as much as I wanted before I had to settle down, but those few visits sparked an interesting thought—one that most likely came from my subconscious observations.

Here’s the thing: Churches in Nigeria rarely have an equal mix of youths and elders. One group always dominates. And it’s especially noticeable when it comes to church workers. Take traditional churches like Living Faith Church (LFC), Baptist, and similar denominations—they tend to have more elderly folks serving in various capacities. You’ll find mummies, daddies, and aunties leading departments, ushering, and handling major church responsibilities. On the flip side, new-generation churches like COZA and the likes are overflowing with young people—not just in the congregation but in leadership and service units as well.

Now, there’s nothing inherently wrong with either setup. But it made me wonder: Isn’t a complete church one where both generations work together? Youths need the wisdom and guidance of elders, and elders could benefit from the fresh energy and new ideas that young people bring. Yet, I’m yet to see a church with a true balance of both. If you know one, feel free to prove me wrong in the comments.

The thing is, in Nigeria, there’s a silent feud between youths and elders. Elders often see young people as know-it-alls, too quick to challenge tradition and unwilling to listen. Meanwhile, youths feel that elders can be condescending and resistant to change, unwilling to see beyond the way things have always been done.

This is a whole different conversation on its own, but I feel it relates. If this generational gap affects homes, workplaces, and society as a whole, why wouldn’t it reflect in our churches too? And more importantly, what can we do about it?

I don’t have all the answers, but I do think bridging this gap would make for a more balanced, wholesome church experience. What do you think? anyways happy Sunday guys.