ABSTRACT

This study examined pastoral leadership and the challenges associated with church growth, using Christ Faith Church, Uyo, as the case study. A review of the contributions of previous researchers revealed that relationships constitute the foundation of effective pastoral leadership. The study further established that the various factors capable of influencing the growth of a church, whether positively or negatively, are closely connected to a central factor referred to as pastoral leadership. In addition to providing clarification of the major concepts contained in the research topic, Chapter Three presents the historical background of the case study. It is important to note that the church has existed for 42 years and currently has three branches within the city of Uyo, with an overall membership strength of approximately 371 members.

Using questionnaires, the researcher assessed 21 pastoral leaders and 57 church members. The findings showed that the commitment of the pastoral leaders towards personal growth was poor, while the commitment of the members towards personal growth was found to be very poor. This situation was attributed largely to the low level of education, particularly spiritual education, among both the pastoral leaders and members. It therefore logically follows that although several other factors may influence church growth, pastoral leadership remains a major determining factor. Based on these findings, it is recommended that Christ Faith Church, Uyo, should place greater emphasis on improving its pastoral leadership, particularly through education, with special attention given to spiritual education.

CHAPTER ONE

INTRODUCTION

1.1 Background of the Study

Leadership, considered as a general concept, is a broad and extensive subject. It has applications across numerous areas and constitutes a diverse field of study. Consequently, leadership can be identified at virtually every level of human interaction, ranging from the family and community to formal organizations and institutions. Within the broader field of leadership, there are also several specialized forms, including natural leadership, political leadership, spiritual leadership, and other forms of leadership.

There are various approaches through which leadership can be exercised within the church, and pastoral leadership represents one of these approaches. Pastoral leadership can be challenging because individuals are not necessarily compelled to follow or obey a pastoral leader. Although men and women may be entrusted with the responsibility of providing direction and guidance to others, they are expected to undertake this responsibility consciously, willingly, and in submission to the Supreme Being, God. In other words, pastoral leaders are expected to operate according to God's principles and remain aware that they will ultimately be accountable for the manner in which they exercise their leadership responsibilities.

Pastoral leadership is a collective responsibility because Christ is regarded as the Chief Shepherd, while pastoral leaders serve as under-shepherds. Consequently, pastoral leaders are expected to depend on the Chief Shepherd for everything required to effectively care for and guide the flock. In this regard, relationships become a major determinant of the effectiveness of pastoral leaders in shepherding the church. These relationships include the relationship between pastoral leaders and Christ, the Chief Shepherd; the relationship among pastoral leaders themselves as under-shepherds; and their relationship with the members of the flock, who receive from the pastoral leaders what Christ, the Chief Shepherd, provides.

Based on the foregoing, the relationships maintained by pastoral leaders become a central point around which the effectiveness of pastoral leadership revolves. Therefore, this research seeks to provide detailed information concerning the nature and expectations of these relationships, their relationship with the growth of the church, the nature of these relationships within Christ Faith Church, Uyo, and the ways in which they may affect the growth and development of the church.

1.2 Statement of the Problem

More than a decade ago, leadership expert John Maxwell introduced two important and enduring ideas into leadership philosophy. He stated that:

1. “Leadership is influence—nothing more, nothing less” (Maxwell, 16).

2. “Everything rises and falls on leadership” (Maxwell, 123).

If everything rises and falls on leadership, and leadership is fundamentally influence, it logically follows that everything rises and falls on influence. When this principle is applied to the issue of church growth, it would suggest that the growth of the church also depends substantially on influence. The important question that therefore emerges is: whose influence? In the context of the church, the influence of the pastoral leader becomes particularly important.

Consequently, based on Maxwell's second assertion, it can logically be inferred that the growth of a church rises and falls on pastoral leadership. The effectiveness, character, commitment, and influence of pastoral leaders may therefore have important implications for the development and expansion of the church.

In view of this, several questions arise:

1. Within the context of Christ Faith Church, Uyo, to what extent is it true that church growth rises and falls on pastoral leadership?

2. What is the current state of growth of Christ Faith Church, Uyo?

3. What is the nature of pastoral leadership in Christ Faith Church, Uyo, and in what ways does it influence the growth of the church?

These are the major issues that the researcher intends to investigate in this study, while also providing suggestions and possible solutions to the identified challenges.

1.3 Purpose and Objectives of the Study

The primary purpose of this research is to investigate the influence of pastoral leaders on the growth of the church, with particular reference to the selected case study. This involves evaluating both the pastoral leaders and members of Christ Faith Church, Uyo, in order to determine the effect and extent of pastoral leadership influence on the growth of the church.

At the completion of the research, it is expected that the study will provide an understanding of the meaning and nature of pastoral leadership, identify its major or cardinal factors, explain the concept of church growth, identify the factors that influence church growth, examine the problems associated with church growth, and provide suggestions for possible solutions to the identified challenges.

1.4 Significance of the Study

This research work is expected to serve as a practical and useful working tool for the leadership of Christ Faith Church, Uyo. The findings and recommendations may assist the church leadership in understanding the challenges associated with pastoral leadership and church growth and in identifying possible areas that require improvement.

The study is also expected to be of considerable significance to other congregations because many churches may experience similar challenges relating to pastoral leadership and the problems associated with church growth. The experiences and findings from Christ Faith Church, Uyo, may therefore provide useful insights that can be considered by other congregations facing related circumstances.

Furthermore, this research material will serve as a reference source for researchers working in related fields of study. It may also stimulate and encourage further research into pastoral leadership, church growth, church administration, spiritual leadership, and other related areas of study.

1.5 Scope of the Study

This research is limited to pastoral leaders within Christ Faith Church, Uyo. For the aspect of the study involving church members, members of the headquarters assembly were selected and used as the sample for the survey. In addition, relevant literature concerning pastoral leadership, church growth, and the various subjects and factors associated with these concepts was reviewed and examined in detail.

The study therefore focuses specifically on pastoral leadership within Christ Faith Church, Uyo, while also considering the broader relationship between pastoral leadership and church growth based on relevant literature and the findings obtained from the case study.

1.6 Limitations of the Study

Several challenges and shortcomings were encountered during the course of this research project. One of the most significant limitations was the inability of some of the few oldest members of Christ Faith Church, Uyo, to accurately recall certain historical information that was considered necessary for the study. This difficulty in obtaining specific historical details constituted a limitation to the historical aspect of the research.

Another major challenge was the inadequate availability of relevant research materials. The insufficient materials accessible to the researcher posed a potential threat to the successful completion and comprehensiveness of the study.

Furthermore, during the development and structuring of the questionnaires, it was not possible to formulate questions with validity tests for certain factors. These factors included integrity, diligence, personal hygiene, nutritional life, and social image among both the pastoral leaders and church members. The inability to adequately assess these factors through validated questionnaire items also constituted a limitation of the research.

1.7 Methodology

The information presented in this research was obtained from a variety of sources. First, surveys were conducted among the pastoral leaders and members of the selected case study, Christ Faith Church, Uyo. These surveys provided primary information concerning the experiences, perceptions, and characteristics of both pastoral leaders and church members.

Second, face-to-face interviews were conducted with qualified individuals within the case study. The information obtained through these interviews was documented using writing materials and subsequently utilized as part of the data for the research.

Third, available documents belonging to the case study were examined and used as sources of relevant information. In addition, the researcher's personal knowledge and experience concerning the case study, which spans a period of fifteen years, served as an important source of data for the study.

Finally, additional information was obtained from internet-based sources, as well as through the reading and examination of relevant books, publications, and other materials related to pastoral leadership and church growth. These different sources were brought together to provide the information required for the study.