(PDF) The role of church leaders in the growth and survival of a church (2023)

The role of church leaders in the growth and survival of a church

Content structure of the role of church leaders in the growth and survival of a church

The abstract contains the research problem, objectives, methodology, results and recommendations.

• The first chapter of the materials for this thesis or project contains the background of the study, the research problem, the research questions, the research goals, the research hypotheses, the meaning of the study, the scope of the study, the organization of the study and operational definition of terms.
• Chapter two contains relevant literature on the subject under study. The chapter is divided into five parts: Conceptual Review, Theoretical Review, Empirical Review, Conceptual Framework and Research Gaps.
• Chapter three contains the research design, the study area, the population, the sample size and sampling technique, the validity, the reliability, the data source, the operationalization of variables, the research models and the method of data analysis.
• Chapter four contains the data analysis and discussion of the results.
• Chapter five contains the summary of the results, conclusions, recommendations, knowledge contributions and recommendations for future studies.
• References: References are in APA
• Quiz.

Chapter One The Role of Church Leaders in the Growth and Survival of a Church

INTRODUCTION

BACKGROUND OF THE STUDY

Indeed, leadership is a dynamic, two-way process of personal influence through which a manager or leader shapes the attitudes and actions of others toward achieving or furthering organizational goals (Abogunrin, 1986). Even before the advent of modern concepts of leadership, the Apostle Paul, in the Pastorals, lists the qualifications of church leaders to ensure sustained growth and survival (Dairo, 2007). These remained the model for centuries. In order for any church leader to successfully steer the ship of the church, these qualities must be ingrained. But contemporary experience in Nigeria has shown a marked departure from this Pauline list of qualifications for church leaders that has really affected the growth and survival of the church. In most cases, the understanding that is expected of both leaders and followers is lacking. This often results in crises in the “Body of Christ”.

There are some similarities between different definitions of leadership. It would be presumptuous to attempt a definition that will satisfy the populace, particularly with regard to church leadership. Leadership is nothing if it is not linked to collective goals; and the effectiveness of leaders is not to be judged by newspaper clippings, but by actual social change as measured by intent and the fulfillment of human needs and expectations that will be manifested in the long-term growth and development of the church.

Oluwasegun (2005) defines leadership as the ability to achieve consensus and commitment to common goals that go beyond organizational requirements, achieved through experience or workgroup contribution and satisfaction. Leadership can also be defined as the relationship in which a person or the leader gets other people to willingly work together on related tasks to achieve what the leader desires. It is a guide. Leadership is management's ability to motivate subordinates to work toward group goals with confidence and enthusiasm. It implies that the leader takes responsibility for achieving the group's goals, and therefore it is important that the trust and cooperation of both parties is evident at all times (Oluwasegun, 2005). Leadership is an art of getting things done. You can learn, improve, develop and refine. It is the key influencing process, and the process always includes a number of key components, such as how to achieve (Dairo, 2004).
In relation to church leadership, this means that the church leader, together with his or her group, provides direction, motivates, censures and develops a set goal and resolves individual or group needs within the church. This is seen as the only way for the church to grow and survive. In the New Testament it was most commonly used as a Christological title for the exalted Jesus. The results of semasiological and lexicographical research on secular Greek indicate an extremely polyvalent range of meanings of the word "leader" based on who is first, who is at the head, who is leading.
According to the New Testament, the terms bishop, minister, and elder are synonymous.obispomeans "overseer," and the elders had the responsibility of overseeing the work of the church (Acts 20:17,28; 1 ​​Peter 5:1-3). "Elder" is the translation of the Greek word presbytes, which means "an old man". Paul used the word elders in (1 Timothy 4:14) and was not referring to a denomination but to the "elders" of the congregation who ordained Timothy. Elders and bishops (two names for the same office (cf. Titus 1:5–7)) were mature individuals with spiritual wisdom and experience to ensure the survival of God's church. Also, "shepherd" means "sheepdog," one who leads and cares for God's flock (Vine, 1996:67).

INTERPRETATION OF THE PROBLEM
According to Dairo (2008), many churches in Nigeria are marked by false doctrines, prejudices and man-made regulations that often undermine the specification of the Holy Spirit and largely work against the growth and survival of the church. . According to the apostle Paul, the leader of the church must be a man who can advance his followers. Not all church leaders can possess these qualities to the same degree, but a leader must have these quality attributes to a degree that is tangible in his or her life to ensure sustained growth. If a man is known to be harsh rather than gentle, intemperate rather than mild, shameful rather than respectable, he has disqualified himself (Bible Org. 2004). The work of church leadership is a noble task. Such an office needs the right people to serve. The accumulation of material wealth, which capitalizes on people's "gross ignorance" of the biblical teaching on wealth by church leaders, has also limited the growth and survival of many churches due to increased awareness of these dubious strategies. However, the researcher examines the role of church leaders in the growth and survival of a church.

LEARNING GOALS
The objectives of this study are as follows:

1. Examine the role of church leaders in the growth and survival of a church.
2. Identify the roles and responsibilities of church leaders in a church.
3. Identify the other factors holding back the growth and survival of the church.

RESEARCH QUESTIONS

1. What is the role of church leaders in the growth and survival of a church?
2. What are the roles and responsibilities of church leaders in a church?
3. What other factors prevent the church from growing and surviving?

HYPOTHESIS
HO: Church leaders play no role in the growth and survival of the church
HA: Church leaders play a role in the growth and survival of the church
THE IMPORTANCE OF THE STUDY
The following are the meanings of this study:

1. The results of this study will educate church authorities and the general public in Nigeria about what church leaders need to do or integrate into the system to ensure growth and survival.
2. This research will also serve as a resource base for other academics and researchers interested in later conducting further research in this area if applied to provide a new explanation for the topic.

SCOPE/LIMITATIONS OF THE STUDY
This study will review the activities of the churches in Nigeria with a particular focus on the roles and responsibilities of church leaders.
Study Restrictions

1. financial constraint– Inadequate resources tend to hamper the researcher's efficiency in searching for relevant materials, literature or information and in collecting data (Internet, questionnaire and interview).
2. time limit- The researcher will be involved in this study concurrently with other scientific work. This reduces the time required for research work accordingly.

REFERENCES
Abogunrin, SO (1986). "Saint Paul's Concept of Disciplined Leadership in the Nigerian Context" in S Ade
Oluwasegun BA (2011) (Hrsg.)religion and disciplineA publication of the Nigerian Association for the Study of Religions (NASR).
Biblical Organization: "Elders and Deacons Evaluating Qualifications" (available at http://www.bible.org/page.asp.downloaded2004/09/24)
Dairo, A.O. (2004). "Church Leadership in Nigeria: Combining Spiritual and Organizational Techniques" in Ade P. Dopamu (ed.)Religion, Leadership and Society: Focus on Nigeria.Lagos: Nigerian Association for the Study of Religions.
Dairo, A.O. (2007). "Leadership Qualifications for Contemporary Church Administrators." A Lecture: Presented by Christian Theological Seminary, Ibadan, on Thursday 19 June.

Download chapters 1 to 5 as PDF