Free the Music : A Focus Group Analysis on the Need of Youth Contemporary Christian Station

Abstract

Cindy Iskanius, Free the Music. Diak, Helsinki, Finland. Fall 2015. 54 Pages. 2 Appen-dix. Language: English. Diaconia University of Applied Sciences. Degree Programme in Bachelor of Social Services and Option in Christian Child & Youth Work / Diaconia Work. This study discusses the importance of providing youth with the knowledge of local or international contemporary Christian music and the importance of working ecumenically to encourage the youth. Seeking conviviality within the Christian communities, locally and international, to promote and encourage the well-being of all youth in our society. The qualitative analysis that was conducted in a focus group discussion will be presented in this thesis work. The focus group allowed youth to talk freely and discuss the questions that I presented to them while providing the adequate information to move forward pertaining to the subject of ‘if youth need and want a Christian music station?’ This will hopefully prompt some interest by others within the church communities in anticipation of a future youth information site or a music station. A qualitative questionnaire was also prepared in mere precaution if youth would not attend the focus group. The findings of this research indicate that the majority of young adults own a portable device and are connecting to the social media sources daily, but the churches or youth groups are not informing them of the most popular Christian songs available. Lack of collaboration, locally and internationally, leads to the insufficient amount of information for youth, concerning Christian music, even with the current technology. More research in the future is needed concerning this subject of Christian music towards youth and their needs to have a substantial amount of evidence since my findings only consisted of two focus groups. In conclusion, youth desire to be informed and to be able to access the most popular Christian music instantly. They would like to have an information site with links, apps or possibly a music station on the internet, to be accessible through their church youth group sites. Youth expressed that the information of music would be useful and beneficial to them. The church community must now try to supply them with this demand and work in conviviality to provide them with music that is relevant and current towards the next generation. Keywords: CCM, Collaboration, Conviviality, Current, Ecumenical, Instantaneous, Solidarity, Unity, Vision Generation.