APPENDIX I: QUESTIONNAIRES AND INTERVIEW QUESTIONS
B. SAMPLED OLDER MEMBERS RESPONSES
APPENDIX I: QUESTIONNAIRES AND INTERVIEW QUESTIONS.
Research Title: Leadership Dynamics, age differences and conflict in a church context Questionnaires
Please select Age 16 – 23 years 24 – 39 years 40 – 49 years 50 – 60 years 61 + years
*SELECTED OLD MEMBER SAMPLE RESPONSE*
Please select one Answer (A, B, C or D) that best describes you or your feeling / answer.
1. Where did you grow up?
A - Rural B – Mkhumbane C – Township D – Suburbs / City
2. I have been part of this church for:
A – Less than 5 years B – Between 6 – 15 years C – More than 15 years.
D – All my life. Explain……….
3. This statement best Explains my participation in the church:
A – Active member in church structures
B – I strictly attend in this church only as a member
C – I attend in this church but I visit other churches and fellowship from time to time D – I am a casual in this church.
4. Which Church leader’s teachings have you been exposed to more?
A – Job Chiliza’s time (funder) B – William Chiliza & Nondaba’s time C – Moses Ngubane’s time
D – Zimu and other current AGC leaders 5. I was very active in my youth days when:
A – Before 1960’s
B – between late 60’s and late 70’s C – Between 80’s and early 90’s D – From late 90’s to now.
6. I spend most of my spare time:
A – Watching TV or Listening to the radio B – Internet, Computer, friends & Cellphone
C – Library or studying
D – In church or with other church members.
7. This is my view about new converts, youth and visitors in the church:
A – They don’t affect me
B – The church needs them or it will eventually die without them
C – They should wait for few years before they are entrusted with responsibilities in the church.
D –They should not be given any high status in the church which will be more that others.
8. Music in the church is currently:
A – Perfect
B – Too loud and damaging C – Unprofessional (lacking skill) D – Does not exist
9. I think Church Music should be:
A – Hymnal with no instruments
B – Hymnal, choruses with little instruments.
C – All new choruses with keyboard (as in tent crusades) D – Well rehearsed, with full band and musical director.
10.Communication and relationships in the church (are) currently:
A – Perfect B – Improving C – Deteriorating D – Do not affect me 11.Church is becoming:
A - More Spiritual B – Less Spiritual 12.Church is becoming:
A – More welcoming B – Less welcoming
13.My understanding of youth in the church is:
A – Teenagers and up to 25 years or there about.
B – Teenagers and up to 35 years or there about.
C – Only saved people who have worked hard in youth matters regardless of their age.
D – I have no clear understanding.
14. This statement best explains my view about the youth in the church:
A – They have too much power and their power must be reduced.
B – They don’t have enough power. They must be given more power.
C – They should be given more opportunities to make an impact on the church.
D – I don’t think they understand the roots of the church, they should learn from their elders.
15.This is my view about over 50’s in the church:
A – They are best suited to give direction to the church.
B – Their time is over, they should just take a back seat and allow youth to take over.
C – They have too much power. This power must be reduced.
D – They don’t have enough power. They must be given more power.
End of Questionnaire which is filled in conjunction with the interview on the next page.
Research Title: Leadership Dynamics, age differences and conflict in a church context Interview Questions (Please write on extra page if needed)
*SELECTED OLD MEMBER SAMPLE RESPONSE*
*Translated from a discussion with an elder member in Zulu*
Interview Questions
1. What do you think is the problem with active youth in the church when it comes to relationships with older people?
The youth have lost respect for the elders and they do not listen.
2. What do you think is the problem with older people in the Church when it comes to relationships with the youth?
The younger people tend to misunderstand us as if we want to make them miserable, but we only want to teach the church doctrine which has made us who we are today.
3. Have you personally been affected by these problems? What have you done to deal with these problems?
Yes, I permanently have to fight against introduction of styles which are worldly.
4. Do you think there is clear and logical split of age groups and their responsibilities in the church?
Why? Is it necessary to have this split?
The youth need to spend time with us in order that we close the gaps.
5. Do you think age related conflicts have done harm or can do harm in the growth of the church?
How?
Yes as we feel disrespected when young ones have to talk back to us.
6. What do you think has been done to solve the problem and what has been leaderships’ role in this regard?
The leadership seems to be listening too much to the youth such that they are even allowing to youth to introduce some “styles” which are not the identity of this church.
6. What do you think something needs to be done to solve this problem? If so, what?
Leadership should not be scares of these young ones, they need to tell the youth that we as elders know best. We don’t want you to take a wrong turn while we are still here to guide you.