WHAT more is the Church doing beyond the pulpit to ensure that the message that sex before marriage is immoral is driven home, especially among the youth?

This is a big problem because sex before marriage is widely rebuked by the Church.

For Modisa Ya Molemo Apostolic Church, abstinence is encouraged because it helps young people to:

l Develop gifts that God has given them and should not spoil their teenage years by abusing these;

l Enjoy their teenage years by giving them an opportunity to grow, develop and mature into responsible adults;

l Focus on their strengthens and relationships with God; and

l Achieve their goals without letting relationships' drama to hold them back.

Bishop Ntombi Matsipa said abstinence was the best method to reduce teenage pregnancies and sexually-transmitted infections.

"Also, children aged between 13 and 19 attend confirmation classes where we teach them all the related fundamentals of the Bible. We also teach them how to behave as young, self-respecting Christians," Matsipa said.

The African Methodist Episcopal Church's Reverend Phafane Mengoai, who has been involved in youth-centred Christian education for 19 years, said: "Everything that the Bible does not agree with, the Church also opposes, including sex before marriage as well as related issues and consequences like HIV-Aids. That is why we insist on abstinence. We also invite experts to talk to the youth."

Mduduzi Evidence Sithole, a youth leader at the Bethesda Kingdom Ministries, said: "Sex before marriage can escalate unwanted teenage pregnancies, abortions and sexually-transmitted infections, including HIV-Aids.

"It can even contribute towards dysfunctional families.

"Our church remains steadfastly committed to promoting abstinence among the youth."

Holy Family Parish's Bishop Jake Mabasa, who speaks at schools on morality, said: "We need to preach the gospel of self-control or abstinence, especially when practised through the enabling power of the Holy Spirit to help us to overcome the lust of the flesh. Every church leader should preach this and lead by example."

victorm@sowetan.co.za