Understanding the Family Today: A Strategy for Consolidating a Christian Family as the essential Agent of Evangelization in Masaka Diocese. Case-study Makukuulu Parish

Abstract

The purpose of this research was to establish the importance of consolidating the Christian family as the essential agent of evangelization in Makukuulu Parish. This was achieved by the following specific objectives: to examine the situation of the family today, to explore the functions of the Christian family, to find out the current challenges facing the family, to find out the ways of consolidating the Christian family as the essential agent of evangelization in the modern time. The researcher’s interest in this project was geared by the tremendous amount of false perception and misguided understandings exhibited among the people of Makuukulu Parish and in Uganda at large towards the essential purpose, strength and weakness of the family institution. Misguided cultural stereotypes and frequent parental misperceptions about the family today clearly depict a situation of increasing rate of domestic violence, divorce and separation, cohabitation and premarital relationships, moral decay and irresponsibility, materialism and individualism. This condition at hand compelled the researcher to find out the root cause of all this and how best can be addressed in order to consolidate the Christian family in the modern world. The study intends to contribute to the theory and practice by establishing the hypothesis that understanding the family today consolidates Christian families as the essential agents of evangelization in the modern era. The research was conducted in thirteen sub-parishes that make up Makukuulu parish. A survey design was used in data collection. The Data was qualitatively and quantitatively analysed and tabulated in chapter four. A total number of fifty-five (55) respondents were engaged by the researcher. The research findings indicated that 60% of the Christians in Makukuulu parish do not have a deeper understanding of the essential qualities of marriage and family life and 20% have a negative attitude towards Christian marriages. The researcher therefore recommended the maximum cooperation among Church leaders, parents and the society during the remote, proximate and immediate preparations for marriage and family life so as to consolidate the Christian family as the essential agent of evangelization in the modern time. In conclusion, the researcher proposed that further research be conducted on how marriages in Uganda can be sustainable and minimize instant marriage breakups to guarantee a lasting family institution and the realization of Christ’s mission.