The role of church leaders in the growth and survival of a church
Abstract
This research was conducted to examine the role of church leaders in the growth and survival of a church. Additional objectives were to identify the roles and duties of church leaders in a church and also to identify the other factors that hinder the growth and survival of the church. The research design chosen for this work is a cross-sectional study and a descriptive analysis of a random sample of the different categories of church leaders (bishops, priests and pastors). A total of 120 well-structured questionnaires were distributed to key officials. Descriptive statistics were used to analyze the research questions, while chi-square was used to test the null hypotheses. The results of the survey show that the majority of respondents believe that church leaders play a decisive role in ensuring the church's growth and survival. The results of the survey also show that a church will grow when church leaders are actively involved in church affairs.
Chapter one
introduction
1.1 Background to 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 in order to achieve or achieve organizational goals (Abogunrin, 1986). Even before modern concepts of leadership emerged, the Apostle Paul in the pastorals listed the qualifications for church leaders to ensure sustainable growth and survival (Dairo, 2007). These have remained the model for centuries. For a church leader to successfully steer the ship of the Church, these qualities must be present. But recent experiences in Nigeria show a clear departure from this Pauline list of qualifications for church leaders, which has had a real impact on the growth and survival of churches. In most cases, the level of understanding expected of both leaders and followers is lacking. This often leads to crises in the "body of Christ".
There are some similarities in different definitions of leadership. It would be presumptuous to attempt a definition that will satisfy the populace, especially with regard to church leaders. Leadership is nothing if not linked to a collective goal; and the effectiveness of leaders should not be judged by newspaper clippings, but by actual social change, measured in intent and in the fulfillment of human needs and expectations, which will manifest itself in the Church's long-term growth and development.
Oluwasegun (2005) defines leadership as the ability to achieve consensus and commitment to common goals that goes beyond organizational requirements and is achieved through the experience or contribution and satisfaction of the work group. Leadership can also be defined as the relationship in which an individual or the leader influences others to voluntarily cooperate on related tasks to achieve what the leader wants. It is a guide. Leadership is the management's ability to get subordinates to work towards the group's goals with confidence and enthusiasm. This implies that the leader takes responsibility for achieving the group's goals, and therefore it is important that trust and cooperation can be shown from both sides at all times (Oluwasegun, 2005). Management is an art of getting things done. It can be learned, improved, developed and perfected. It is the central process of influence and the process always includes some key components such as leaders and followers, they interact in situations and opportunities for influence that emanate from the leader and the followers based on their value system and the goals they have that the leader has. and wants to reach his followers (Dairo, 2004).
In relation to church leadership, this means that the church leader together with his group manages, motivates, reprimands and develops a specific goal and solves individual or group needs within the church. This is seen as the only way the church can grow and survive. In the New Testament it was more often used as a Christological title for the exalted Jesus. The results of semasiological and lexicographic studies of secular Greek suggest an extremely polyvalent set of meanings for the word "church leader", based on who is first, who leads, who leads.
According to the New Testament, the terms "bishop", "priest" and "elder" are synonyms. Bishop means "overseer" and the elders were responsible for overseeing the work of the church (Acts 20:17,28; 1Pt 5:1-3). "Elder" is the translation of the Greek word presbytes, which means "an old man". Paul used the word "presbytery" in (1 Timothy 4:14) to refer not to a denomination, but to the "eldership" of the church that Timothy established. Elders and bishops (two names for the same office (cf. Titus 1:5-7) were mature persons with spiritual wisdom and experience to ensure the survival of God's church. Also "pastor" means "shepherd", one who leads and takes care of God's flock (Vine, 1996: 67).
1.2 problem
According to Dairo (2008), many churches in Nigeria are characterized by false doctrines, preconceived notions and man-made rules that all too often undermine the guidance of the Holy Spirit and have seriously hampered the growth and survival of the church. According to the apostle Paul, the church leader must be a kind person who can inspire his followers. Not all church leaders have these qualities to the same degree, but a leader must have these qualities to an extent that is tangible in his or her lifetime to ensure sustainable growth. If a man is known as hard instead of gentle, excessive instead of measured, shameful instead of respectable, he has disqualified himself (Bible Org. 2004). The work of church leadership is a noble task. Such an office needs the right people. Accumulation of material wealth by exploiting people's "gross ignorance" of the Bible's teachings on wealth by church leaders, and limited the growth and survival of many churches due to increased awareness of these questionable strategies. But the researcher examines the role of church leaders in the growth and survival of a church.
1.3 Research objectives
The objectives of this study are:
- Exploring the role of church leaders in the growth and survival of a church.
- Identification of church leaders' roles and duties in a church.
- Identify the other factors that hinder the growth and survival of the Church.
1.5 Research question
- What role do church leaders play in the growth and survival of a church?
- What functions and duties do church leaders have in a church?
- What other factors hinder the Church's growth and survival?
1.5 Hypothesis
GRIM: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
1.6 Importance of the survey
This study has the following meaning:
- Findings from this study will inform church authorities and the general public in Nigeria on what church leaders need to do or integrate into the system to ensure growth and survival.
- This research will also serve as a resource for other scientists and researchers who may wish to conduct further research in this area later and, when applied, provide new explanations on the subject.
1.7 Scope/limitations of the study
This study looks at the activities of the churches in Nigeria, with particular focus on the roles and responsibilities of church leaders.
study restrictions
1. Financial constraints
Inadequate resources tend to hinder the researcher's effectiveness in obtaining relevant material, literature or information and in collecting data (internet, questionnaire and interview).
2. Time limitation
The researcher will carry out this research simultaneously with other scientific work. This shortens the time spent on research work.
chapter five
Findings, conclusions and recommendations
5.1 Fund
The purpose of the study was to determine the role of church leaders in the growth and survival of the church. The results of the survey show that the majority of respondents believe that church leaders play a decisive role in ensuring the church's growth and survival. See Table 7 above.
Another finding of the study shows that a church will grow when church leaders are actively involved in church affairs (see Table 10).
5.2 Recommendation
The following recommendation is the result of this study
Church leaders should focus more on preaching the message of peace and harmony than on church growth, which is the order of the day in most churches today. Churches should also discourage diabolical methods of church growth.
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The role of church leaders in the growth and survival of a church? ›
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.
What is the role of church leaders in the survival and growth of the church? ›A church leader needs to be a Godly leader, a role model, and a guidance giver – not only for your church members but for everyone else in the community too. They mentor and encourage people, furthering their faith and ensuring that they have a positive church experience.
What does the Bible say about leaders in the church? ›Although the heart of leadership according to scripture is servanthood (Mark 10:42-45), the Bible also teaches that legitimate leaders have authority, in the sense of a right to direct others. This authority comes from God and is delegated to leaders for the good of the church.
What is the impact of pastoral leadership on church growth and survival? ›Many churches flourish or flounder based on the type of pastoral leadership provided. Leaders who are able to organize and influence their members well see growth in their churches, while leaders who are not influential and do not organize their members see stunted growth in their churches.
What does the Bible say about church leadership roles and responsibilities? ›What does the Bible Say About Church Leadership? The Bible refers to a leader as one above reproach, like the husband of one wife. He must be sober-minded, self-controlled, respectable, hospitable, able to teach, not a drunkard, not violent but gentle, not quarrelsome, not a lover of money.
What is the most important role of the church? ›The role of the Church is to make Christ known and loved, to spread the knowledge of Salvation everywhere, and to pray and suffer for the Salvation of souls. Christ gave His Church the commission to spread the message of Salvation to the ends of the earth.
What is the concept of leadership in church growth? ›Church growth is advancement of the church spiritually, mentally, and socially. It encompasses more than spiritual growth. The church should inculcate a good habit into its workforce. A leader with no foresight and poor administrator, who has no charismatic to carry along the followers, cannot enhance church growth.
What did Jesus say about leadership in the church? ›In Matthew 20:25-28, Jesus tells His disciples that leaders should not exercise authority over people. Instead, whoever wants to become great must lower himself to be a servant. Leaders realize that serving others is the only way to lead with a pure heart, free of pride and arrogance.
What does Paul say about leadership? ›Paul emphasises that he, although a leader (i.e. an individual influencing a group of individuals to achieve a common goal), is a follower and servant himself.
Which verse in the Bible talks about leaders? ›Hebrews 13:7
7 Remember your leaders, who spoke the word of God to you. Consider the outcome of their way of life and imitate their faith.
What is the role of church growth? ›
The Church Growth Movement is a movement within evangelical Christianity which aims to grow churches based on research, sociology, analysis, etc. The Church Growth Movement started with a passion for the Great Commission, and seeing people come to the knowledge of Christ.
What is the importance of church growth? ›That's church growth. The desire churches have to reach more people for Christ should come from God's heart for the world and understanding Jesus' mission to seek and save the lost. Churches that want to grow in numbers should do it out of a desire to live out the great commission.
What is the significance of church growth? ›Church growth is important because it is an indicator that the ministry you are doing is not stagnant. Growth can take many forms, depending on the ministries and mission of your church.
Why does good leadership matter in churches? ›Church leadership is vital because the leader…
Is essential for guiding and encouraging members, helping them connect to each other, and teaching them the Word of God. Inspires people to serve, define the vision and execute short-term or long-term goals.
The word “charge” implies a divine, constant, compelling, lifetime command to all ministers, leaders, workers, disciples, pilgrims and sons and daughters of the Lord to continue in the sound doctrine of the word of God. A charge is a duty and responsibility that must be obeyed.
What does the Bible say about pastors and leaders? ›“Obey your leaders and submit to them, for they are keeping watch over your souls, as those who will have to give an account. Let them do this with joy and not with groaning, for that would be of no advantage to you.” This scripture is a reminder to the church that God puts people in leadership roles for a reason.
What are the 3 roles of the church? ›The Christian church is not a building, but a body of believers united in Christ. Its role is to worship God, nurture and edify and reach out to a suffering world with the saving message of the gospel as well as the practical compassion and mercy exemplified in Christ.
What are the 5 roles of the church? ›The five functions are: worship, teach, fellowship, evangelize and serve.
What is the role of the church in a believers life? ›The Church helps us to maintain organization, teachings, and to create a support system for members. By establishing a church, the Lord ensures that the correct doctrines are taught. The Church provides members with revelations, standards, and guidelines that help us live as Christ would have us live.
What are the three important concepts of leadership? ›The actual definition of leadership is often debated. However, most definitions incorporate the three concepts of influence, power and motivation.
What four concepts of leadership are important to leaders? ›
These are the fundamental 4 leadership skills needed by leaders at every organization, regardless of role, industry, or location: self-awareness, communication, influence, and learning agility. Leaders at different levels of an organization face different challenges.
What are the four things that Jesus teaches us about leadership? ›- Great leaders lead from the inside out. Jesus focused on personal leadership first--matters of character. ...
- Great leaders are great storytellers. Jesus' stories have certainly withstood the test of time. ...
- Great leaders are great servants. ...
- Great leaders balance conviction with compassion.
- They are humble servants. ...
- They do not tolerate wrongdoing. ...
- They are honest and open. ...
- They make rules that people will be glad to follow. ...
- They protect their people. ...
- They are merciful and compassionate. ...
- They do not tempt people to do evil. ...
- They are knowledgeable and mindful.
Good leaders possess self-awareness, garner credibility, focus on relationship-building, have a bias for action, exhibit humility, empower others, stay authentic, present themselves as constant and consistent, become role models and are fully present.
What does Timothy say about leaders? ›If anyone wants to provide leadership in the church, good! But there are preconditions: A leader must be well-thought-of, committed to his wife, cool and collected, accessible, and hospitable. He must know what he's talking about, not be overfond of wine, not pushy but gentle, not thin-skinned, not money-hungry.
What verse in Matthew talks about leadership? ›But among you it will be different. Whoever wants to be a leader among you must be your servant, and whoever wants to be first among you must become your slave. For even the Son of Man came not to be served but to serve others and to give his life as a ransom for many.”
Why leadership is a call from God? ›God equips anyone called into a leadership role.
But, just as He placed you in this leadership position, He will also place people in your life to speak to you, help guide you, and encourage you along the way. God always provides for His work.
“Obey your leaders and submit to them, for they are keeping watch over your souls, as those who will have to give an account. Let them do this with joy and not with groaning …” (Heb. 13:17).
What does Proverbs say about leaders? ›"An oracle is on the lips of a king; his mouth does not sin in judgment." (Proverbs 16:10, ESV). A leaders' words are like an oracle, weighty to those they are responsible for. A good leader understands how giving unfair judgments corrupts the strength of their words, discouraging those they lead.
What does the Bible say about growth? ›Psalms 92:12-14. 12 The righteous will flourish like a palm tree, they will grow like a cedar of Lebanon; 13 planted in the house of the LORD, they will flourish in the courts of our God.
What are the three stages of church growth? ›
Spiritual Growth and Progression
This gradual growth generally involves three stages of development: the purgative stage, the illuminative stage, and the unitive stage.
- Numerical growth happens when churches reach more people and grows in size.
- Spiritual growth happens when the people in the church come to love and follow Jesus.
- Kingdom growth happens when there is both spiritual and numerical growth.
It is God alone who gives the growth in the church (1 Cor. 3: 5-9). So growth is not to be fulfilled for its own sake. It is only good growth when it comes through faithfulness to the gospel.
What are the 4 types of church growth? ›- Intellectual growth. Here lies the primary responsibility of pastors as teachers and under-shepherds of God's flock. ...
- Numerical growth. ...
- Spiritual growth. ...
- Relational growth.
The four predictive factors are evangelism, assimilation, small group discipleship, and church size. You can evaluate your own church by asking each of the questions associated with each factor.
What verse in the Bible talks about church growth? ›1 Corinthians 3:5-7
Servants through whom you believed, as the Lord assigned to each. I planted, Apollos watered, but God gave the growth. So neither he who plants nor he who waters is anything, but only God who gives the growth.
- A Praying Church.
- A Church that Preaches Truth.
- A Church that Fellowships.
- A Church that Serves the Needy in the Community.
- Unity of Worship and Praise.
- A Church that has Anointed and Able Leadership.
- A Church that is Happy.
Every growing church I have observed creates a dynamic worship time featuring relevant, quality worship and effective, consistent teaching from God's Word. This experience can vary greatly from church to church, but worship and teaching are integrated, creating a time for people to encounter and respond to God.
What is the role of religious leaders in church? ›Religious Leaders serve their religious community by teaching the faith, leading services, leading acts of worship and reading from sacred texts. You will give spiritual guidance and comfort to people in times of hardship and might organise practical support.
How do we contribute to the growth of the church? ›- Develop a Mission Statement Prioritizing Growth.
- Build Stronger Children and Youth Programs.
- Encourage Involvement.
- Focus on Creating Relationships Within Your Community.
- Manage Your Supporters and Strengthen These Relationships.
- Partner with Neighboring Churches.
What is the purpose of church growth? ›
Church growth is important because it is an indicator that the ministry you are doing is not stagnant. Growth can take many forms, depending on the ministries and mission of your church.
What is the best way to honor the role of the church leaders? ›- WE HONOR OUR PASTORS BY SUPPORTING THEM. The elders who are good leaders should be considered worthy of an ample honorarium, especially those who work hard at preaching and teaching. ...
- WE HONOR OUR PASTORS BY DEFENDING THEM. ...
- WE HONOR OUR PASTORS BY RECOGNIZING THEM. ...
- WE HONOR OUR PASTORS BY LOVING THEM.
- Servant Leader. In recent decades, the term "servant leader" has been popularized by Christian faiths, though Robert Greenleaf coined it. ...
- Empathetic. Strong leaders must be empathetic. ...
- Accountable. ...
- Transparent. ...
- Models the Faith. ...
- Self-Development. ...
- Able to Teach. ...
- Equipping Others.
Theocracy is a form of government in which one or more deities are recognized as supreme ruling authorities, giving divine guidance to human intermediaries who manage the government's daily affairs.
What is church growth according to the Bible? ›It is God alone who gives the growth in the church (1 Cor. 3: 5-9). So growth is not to be fulfilled for its own sake. It is only good growth when it comes through faithfulness to the gospel.
What are the seven pillars of church growth? ›Engraved on those seven columns are these statements: 1) One body, 2) One Spirit; 3) One hope; 4) One Lord; 5) One Faith; 6) One Baptism; 7) One God and Father.
What are the 3 purposes of the church? ›Godhood, brotherhood, service—these three guiding principles …