The influence of stakeholders’ on church growth in Kenya: A case of Presbyterian Church of East Africa in Milimani South Presbytery, Nairobi

Abstract

The church plays an important role in the life of the people who attend and the society around it. Its foundations develop morals that guide and guard individual followers and society. Therefore, the church must touch on all aspects of life for it to remain whole without blemish. The purpose of this study was to examine the influence of stakeholders‘ role on church growth in Kenya: a case of the Presbyterian Church of East Africa in Milimani South, Nairobi County. The study‘s specific objectives were: to determine the role of the pastors on church growth in the P.C.E.A. church in Milimani South, Nairobi County; to examine the role of elders on church growth in the P.C.E.A. church in Milimani South, Nairobi County; to assess the role of the congregation on church growth in the P.C.E.A. church in Milimani South, Nairobi County; and, to establish key interventions that can promote the health and growth of the churches in Kenya. The study adopted three theories: Wagner‘s Church Growth Theory, Family Systems Theory, and Natural Church Development (NCD) Theory. The study applied a cross-section survey research design. The target population was 6,813, which included pastors, elders, and congregants. The sample size of 218 was obtained using Nassiuma formulae. Data were collected from the respondents using interview schedules and questionnaires. Data were analyzed using the Statistical Package for Social Science (SPSS) software version 23. The study discovered enough evidence to reject the null hypothesis and to maintain the entire alternative hypothesis because all independent variables had a statistically significant relationship with church growth. The study concluded that any unwillingness of leaders to learn and implement new ideas can cause problems in the church and hinder its growth. The study recommended that pastors should learn to accept any good idea from members and elders, build on it, and create leadership capacity without discrimination.