Church-Hopping and the Psycho-Spiritual Well-Being of Youth in FCT, Abuja: Theological and Pastoral Implications.

Author

Nwoko Paschal, Sr. Ass. Prof Chika Eucharia Eze, Sr. Dr M. Theresa Leo Ikwuegbu, Sr. Dr M. Theresa Leo Ikwuegbu


Abstract

 Church-hopping has become an increasingly visible feature of contemporary Christian practice, particularly among young people living within religiously plural and highly mobile urban environments. This article examines church-hopping among Christian youth in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Abuja, Nigeria, with particular attention to its psychological, spiritual, existential, and pastoral implications. The article is extracted from a larger empirical study involving 400 respondents and interprets its findings within relevant theological, psychological, and pastoral literature. Findings indicate that church-hopping is prevalent among Christian youth in Abuja (M = 3.02, SD = 0.99), particularly in the form of dual or cross-congregational attendance rather than complete denominational abandonment. Psychologically, respondents reported deterioration in important dimensions of daily functioning (M = 2.59, SD = 0.80), including concentration, sleep, decision-making, coping, and enjoyment of everyday activities. Significantly, however, church-hopping did not correspond with a collapse of personal religious faith. Religious well-being remained relatively strong (M = 3.02, SD = 1.05), whereas existential well-being was comparatively weaker (M = 2.76, SD = 1.10), suggesting a distinctive psycho-spiritual paradox: young people may remain personally connected to God while becoming psychologically, communally, and existentially unsettled. The article argues that church-hopping should therefore not be interpreted merely as ecclesiastical disloyalty but as a complex expression of contemporary youth religiosity requiring psychologically informed, relational, participatory, and pastorally responsive interventions.



Keywords

church-hopping; psycho-spiritual well-being; youth; religious well-being; existential well-being; psychological functioning; pastoral care



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References


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