This study was carried out to examine Christian leadership development/ training and its implications for church growth in Today’s Church. The case study was Rivers province 2. The objectives of the study include: to examine how trained Christian leaders affect today’s Church; to identify the various leadership style; to find out General focus of leadership; and to find out effect Christian leadership development training on Church growth. 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 (Elders, Pastors and Deacons). 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. The study recommended that Churches leaders should focus more in preaching the message of peace and harmony rather than church growth that is the order of the day in most churches today. Trained Church leaders should also discourage diabolic means of church growth. The finding from the study also reveals that a church will grow if church leaders are actively involved in the affairs of the church. The study concluded that trained Christian leaders have positive effect on today’s church. Their leadership skills can help to further the ministry.

CHAPTER ONE

INTRODUCTION

Background To the Study

Christian leadership development and training play a crucial role in the growth and effectiveness of churches. The Bible provides numerous examples and teachings on leadership that can be applied to the context of the Church. One key aspect of Christian leadership is servant leadership, which is exemplified by Jesus Christ himself. In Matthew 20:28, Jesus says, “The Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many.” This verse highlights the importance of leaders serving others and putting their needs before their own.

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 word presbytery in (1Tim 4:14), referring not to a denomination, but to the “eldership” of the assembly that ordained Timothy. Elders and Elders (two names for the same office, (cf Titus 1:5,7) were mature people with 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 Trained Christian leaders in today’s Church.

1.3 Objectives Of The Study

The following are the objectives of this study:

To examine how trained Christian leaders affect today’s Church.
To identify the various leadership style.
To find out General focus of leadership.
To find out the effect of Christian leadership development training on Church growth.

1.4 Research Questions

The following research questions was stated for the study:

How can trained Christian leaders affect today’s Church?
What are the various leadership style?
What is the General focus of leadership?
To what extent will Christian leadership development & training affect Church growth?

1.5 Research Hypothesis

H_O: Trained Christian leaders have no effect on today’s Church

H_A: Trained Christian leaders do have effect on today’s Church

1.6 Significance Of The Study

The following are the significance of this study:

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.
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.
It is worth believing that findings from this research work will benefit the church, teachers, preachers, church planters even students of the Bible. The church in particular will realize the importance of training their leaders. It will also serve as a reference tool to church planters, church leaders, students of the Bible. It will also motivate others who wish to go into further research in the subject matter and those who feel it is not satisfactory. Above all, it is important because it has contributed to the pal of literatures that has been generated about training of church leaders.

1.7 SCOPE/LIMITATIONS OF THE STUDY

The study examines Christian leadership development/training and its implications for church growth in Today’s Church. This study will cover the activities of churches in Nigeria with special focus on the Trained Christian leaders and its effect on today’s Church.

Limitations of study

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).
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.

1.8 DEFINITION OF TERMS

In order to understand some of the basic terms used we are going to define them as they appear below:

1.8.1 Necessity

The English Dictionary Mobi-system defines the above word as that which makes an act or an event unavoidable; irresistible force; overruling power; compulsion; physical or moral; fate and fatality.

1.8.2 Trained

Merriam Webster Mobi-system Dictionary defines it as to teach (someone) the skills needed to do something (such as a job); to give instruction to (someone). To be taught the skills needed to do something (such as job) to develop an ability or skill.

1.8.3 Leader

Describing who a leader is Cloer (2010:15) say a leader plans, decides, serves, leads, administers, organizes, delegates, motivates, prays, serves as an example, cares, sacrifices, wait patiently, forgives and practice what he preaches. In addition to this he has it that a great leader knows where he is going and why he is going and he brings others with him.

Tracy (2010:20) sees a leader as those who

Have a clear vision of where they are going and they convey this vision to everyone around them.
Have integrity. They deal honestly and straightforwardly with each person. They tell the truth and they always keep their words.
Are humble. They get result by using the strengths and knowledge of those around them. They know how to listen and they know how to learn.

1.8.4 Christian Leader

Essang in his unpublished lecture manual entitled Christian leadership has it that:

A Christian leader is called by God.He is called to servanthood. This is one who serves by leading.
A Christian leader is a person of Christ-like character because the central function of a leader is to enable people to know, love and serve God with their entire heart, minds, souls and strength.

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Full Project – CHRISTIAN LEADERSHIP DEVELOPMENT/ TRAINING AND ITS IMPLICATIONS FOR CHURCH GROWTH IN TODAY’S CHURCH

Full Project – CHRISTIAN LEADERSHIP DEVELOPMENT/ TRAINING AND ITS IMPLICATIONS FOR CHURCH GROWTH IN TODAY’S CHURCH

ABSTRACT

CHAPTER ONE

INTRODUCTION

1.2 Statement of The Problem

1.3 Objectives Of The Study

1.4 Research Questions

1.5 Research Hypothesis

1.6 Significance Of The Study

1.7 SCOPE/LIMITATIONS OF THE STUDY

Limitations of study

Full Project – CHRISTIAN LEADERSHIP DEVELOPMENT/ TRAINING AND ITS IMPLICATIONS FOR CHURCH GROWTH IN TODAY’S CHURCH

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