Abstract
This
study was carried out to examine the role of church leaders in the growth and
survival of a church. Other objectives were to identify the functions and
duties of church leaders in a church and also to identify the other factors
militating against church growth and survival. The research design adopted for
this work is cross –sectional survey and descriptive analysis on a randomly
selected sample of the different categories of church leaders (Bishops, Pastors
and Priests). A total of one hundred and twenty well-structured questionnaires
were distributed among the principal leaders. The descriptive statistics was
used to analyse the research questions while chi-square was employed to test
the null hypotheses. Findings from the study reveals that majority of the
respondents are of the opinion that church leaders plays a vital role in
ensuring growth and survival of the church. The finding from the study also
reveals that a church will grow if church leaders are actively involved in the
affairs of the church.
CHAPTER ONE
INTRODUCTION
1.1
BACKGROUND
TO THE STUDY
Leadership
is indeed a dynamic reciprocal process of personal influence by which a manager
or a leader shapes the attitudes and activities of others towards the
achievement or attainment of organizational objectives (Abogunrin, 1986). Even
before the modern concepts of leadership came into being, the apostle of Jesus
Christ, Paul in the Pastorals lists the qualifications for church leaders to
ensure sustainable growth and survival (Dairo, 2007). These have remained the
model for ages. For any church leader to steer the ship of the church
successfully, these qualities must be imbibed. But contemporary experience in
Nigeria has shown a marked departure from this Pauline list of qualifications
for church leaders which has really affected growth and survival of churches.
The level of understanding expected from both the leaders and the followers is
missing in most cases. This often results in crises within “the body of
Christ”.
There
are some common features in various definitions of leadership. It will be
presumptuous for anyone to attempt a definition that will satisfy the populace
especially regarding church leadership. Leadership is nothing if not linked to
collective purpose; and the effectiveness of leaders must be judged not by
press clippings but by actual social change, measured by intent and by
satisfaction of human needs and expectations which on the long term will be
visible on the church growth and development.
Oluwasegun
(2005) defines leadership as the ability to gain consensus and commitment to
common objectives beyond organizational requirements which are attained with
experience or contribution and satisfaction on the part of the working group.
Leadership could also be defined as the relationship in which one person or the
leader influences others to work together willingly on related tasks to attain
that which the leader desires. It is a means of direction. Leadership is the
ability of management to induce the subordinates to work towards a group’s
goals with confidence and keenness. It implies that the leader accepts
responsibility for the achievement of the group objectives and it is,
therefore, essential for the trust and cooperation from both sides to be
evidence all the time (Oluwasegun, 2005). Leadership is an art of getting
things done. It can be learnt, improved, developed and perfected. It is the key
process of influence and the process always includes a number of key components
such as leader and followers, they interact in situations and means of
influence which emerge from the leader and from the followers, based on their
value system and goals which the leader and the followers seek to achieve (Dairo,
2004).
With
respect to church leadership, it implies that the church leader gives
direction, motivates, reprimands and develops a set objective along with his
group and resolves individual or group needs within the church. This is
perceived as the only way towards the church growth and survival.In the New
Testament it was more often used as Christological title for the exalted Jesus.
The results of semasiological and lexicographical investigation of secular
Greek indicate an extremely polyvalent spectrum of meaning for the word “church
leader”, the basis being he who is the
first, who stands at the head of, who leads.
According
to the New Testament, the terms “bishop,” “pastor,” and
“elder” are synonymous. Bishop means”overseer,” and
the elders had the responsibility of overseeing the work of the church (Acts
20:17,28; 1Pet5:1-3). “Elder” is the translation of the Greek word
presbytes, which means “an old man.” Paul used the wordpresbytery in
(1Tim 4:14), referring not to a denomination, but to the “eldership”
of the assembly thatordained Timothy. Elders and bishops (two names for the
same office, (cf Titus 1:5,7) were mature peoplewith spiritual wisdom and
experience to ensure the survival of the church of God. Also,
“pastor” means “shepherd,” one who leads and cares for the flock
of God (Vine, 1996:67).
1.2 STATEMENT
OF THE PROBLEM
According
to Dairo (2008), many Churches in Nigeria are characterized with false
teaching, preconceived ideas and human-formed regulations which have too often
undermined the Holy Spirit’s specification and has militated greatly against
church growth and survival. According to Apostle Paul, church leader must be
kind of man that can carry the followers along. All church leaders may not
possess these qualities in the same measure but a leader must have these
quality attributes to a degree that is noticeable in his life to ensure
sustainable growth. If a man is known to be harsh instead of being gentle,
intemperate instead of being temperate, disgraceful instead of being respectable,
he has disqualified himself (Bible Org. 2004). The work of church leadership is
a noble task. Such an office needs the right kind of people to serve.
Accumulation of material wealth, by capitalizing on the “gross ignorance” of
the people about the teaching of the Bible on wealth by church leaders as also
limited growth and survival of many churches because of the increased awareness
of these dubious strategies. However, the researcher is examining the role of
church leaders in the growth and survival of a church.
1.3 OBJECTIVES OF THE STUDY
The
following are the objectives of this study:
1. To
examine the role of church leaders in the growth and survival of a church.
2. To
identify the functions and duties of church leaders in a church.
3. To
identify the other factors militating against church growth and survival.
1.5
RESEARCH
QUESTIONS
1. What
is the role of church leaders in the growth and survival of a church?
2. What
are the functions and duties of church leaders in a church?
3. What
are the other factors militating against church growth and survival?
1.5 HYPOTHESIS
HO:
Church leaders do not have a role in church growth and survival
HA:
Church leaders do have a role in church growth and survival
1.6 SIGNIFICANCE
OF THE STUDY
The
following are the significance of this study:
1. Findings
from this study will educate the church authorities and the general public in
Nigeria on what the church leaders need to do or incorporate into the system to
ensure growth and survival.
2. This
research will also serve as a resource base to other scholars and researchers
interested in carrying out further research in this field subsequently, if
applied will go to an extent to provide new explanation to the topic.
1.7 SCOPE/LIMITATIONS
OF THE STUDY
This
study will cover the activities of churches in Nigeria with special focus on
the roles and duties of the church leaders
Limitations of study
1.
Financial
constraint– Insufficient fund tends to impede the efficiency
of the researcher in sourcing for the relevant materials, literature or
information and in the process of data collection (internet, questionnaire and
interview).
2.
Time
constraint– The researcher will simultaneously engage in this
study with other academic work. This consequently will cut down on the time
devoted for the research work.