Factors Influencing Sustainability of Church Growth in Pentecostal Churches: The Case of Christian Church International, Mutitu, Kenya

Abstract

The purpose of this quantitative research was to investigate factors influencing the sustainability of church growth in Pentecostal Churches: The case of Christian Church International, Mutitu, Kenya.  In the Great Commission recorded in the Gospel of St. Matthew 28: 19-20, Jesus left no doubts in the minds of His Apostles that He expected His church to grow both numerically and geographically. Although several attempts have been made regarding studies that touch on factors that are key in influencing the sustainability of projects, study lacks that could deal with the issue of church growth sustainability in Pentecostal churches. Yet the desire of almost every church leader is to identify key "drivers” for church growth. Further, to identify factors that are key in influencing the sustainability of the same church growth. The gap identified necessitated the need for this study.

The method of research that was used in this study is quantitative research. The purpose of quantitative research is to quantify a research problem, to measure and count issues, and then to generalize these findings to a broader population (Hennink, Hutter and Bailey, 2011). Sampling procedure was simple random sampling and the target population for the study was 250 persons (comprising of church leaders and church members). The sample was 10% according to Mugenda and Mugenda (2003). There was no bias concerning leadership position.  Data collection instrument was questionnaires which were given out to respondents for the purpose of statistical representation of the researcher's findings in the study. The research objectives were to identify the influence of church ministry, members' empowerment, pastor's factor, members' welfare and worship service on church growth. The choice of Christian Church International, Mutitu in Murang'a was informed by the fact that the church has been growing and pioneering other branches. Currently the church membership stands at 250 and the church has pioneered seven (branches churches). Quantitative data was coded and analyzed using statistical package for Social Sciences (SPSS). The study showed church ministry, members' empowerment, pastor's factor, members' welfare/needs and worship service played big role in the sustainability of church growth in Christian Church International, Mutitu. In terms of rating, worship service was the highest. That meant that church members would be happy and willing to attend a church service where songs sung are understood.