CHURCH PLANTING IN NIGERIA: ISSUES AND PROSPECTS A STUDY OF REDEEMED CHRISTIAN CHURCH OF GOD (RCCG)

CHURCH PLANTING IN NIGERIA: ISSUES AND PROSPECTS A STUDY OF REDEEMED CHRISTIAN CHURCH OF GOD (RCCG)

ABSTRACT

The purpose of this research was to look into the challenges and opportunities of church planting in Nigeria. Church planting is a vision shared by many denominations and even other faiths such as Islam. The goal is to spread the message (gospel) of Jesus Christ to as many people as possible. This is not dissimilar to Jesus Christ’s instruction to his disciples to preach the word of God from Judea to Samaria and then to the ends of the earth, including Nigeria. This research looked into the reasons for church planting as well as the difficulties encountered during the process. The Redeemed Christian Church of God (RCCG) was specifically chosen as a case study in this study. Draw conclusions based on responses deemed reliable enough to assume a conclusion. The study enrolled 109 RCCG respondents from three provinces using a survey research design. The study’s findings revealed that an increase in church worshippers is one of the major reasons for church planting. Furthermore, the study identified large financial commitment as a major barrier to church planting.

CHAPTER ONE

INTRODUCTION

1.1 BACKGROUND TO THE STUDY

The Redeemed Christian Church of God (RCCG) was founded in 1952 in a Lagos suburb. The Christian denomination has evolved over time from what could be described as humble beginnings to its current period of global Christian leadership, characterized by an intense explosion into socio-political power, economic privilege, and spiritual aristocracy.

Christianity in Nigeria, which resulted in church planting, dates back to the 16th century, when the Portuguese introduced Latin Christianity to Benin and Warri. Looking at Christianity from its inception to the present day, many stages of development have occurred, resulting in the planting and growth of churches. There are numerous Christian churches scattered throughout the area. The researcher, on the other hand, will investigate the issues and prospects of church planting in

Nigeria.

Church planting is the process of establishing a new (local) Christian church. It should be distinguished from church development, which involves the creation of a new service, worship center, or fresh expression that is integrated into an already established congregation. To be planted, a local church must eventually have its own life and be able to function independently of its parent body, even if it remains in relationship denominationally or through membership in a network (Wikipedia, 2015).

Christians, particularly missionaries and clergy, have long believed that starting new churches is the most effective way to reach out to the world for Christ. This is why a church is necessary for every people group and community. According

Many scholars believe that the church is the hope of the world, which is why they are dedicated to planting missionally-minded, transformational churches among every people group and community on the planet.

Today’s global society is experiencing significant constant proliferation and planting of churches, which has resulted in not only changing values, but also a greater source of solutions to people’s problems. This rapid expansion of churches stems from the realization that religious worship is free in Nigeria. The issues of environmental effects on people in society and the prospects as it provides solutions to people’s problems are central to the constant planting and proliferation of churches, which this research seeks to address. The pace appears to an astute observer.

The rate at which churches are sprouting up in Nigeria is concerning. There is religious freedom in the country, places of worship are full, pilgrimages are overbooked, and there is evidence of religious expansion all over the place.

Many people were profiting from the situation of widespread church planting by establishing new religious organizations and societies. There is evidence that many are simply charlatans looking for a way to make a living. Many people are probably religious. However, it is clear that our society has not matured. It has certainly not become peaceful. Many hot and cold wars have occurred and continue to occur in the name of religion (Fayomi, 1993). Churches are being built at an alarming and unprecedented rate.

in all available spaces, shops, and unfinished buildings. Worship appears in warehouses, hotels, abandoned movie theaters, studios, and other public places. It is common to see at least fifty different churches on a four-kilometer-long street. This may paint a bleak picture, but such is the current wave of church growth and planting in the country.

Ogidi (1997) asserts unequivocally that “Nigeria is a country with easily the largest number of churches per capital in the world.”

(Ogidi, 1997).

Nigeria, according to Fayomi (1993), is also “a fertile soil for the growth of independent churches.”

(1993, Fayomi). Six or more different churches could be built in urban and even rural areas due to a lack of space and accommodation. Do something with a multi-story building. This is the current state of affairs in Nigeria. For example, between 1970 and 2004, there were more than 157 Pentecostal denominations in Ekiti State, as correctly observed by Tokunbo (2007). (Tokunbo, 2007). More parishes and religious movements are being established on a daily basis. “We prayed about it, and God said go and establish your own church,” according to the spiritual discernment used by Pastors and leaders planting churches in Nigeria. Often, it is impossible to compete with the self-proclaimed revelations and answers to prayers received by leaders seeking to baptize their whims in God-talk. The phrase is typically used in response to silent objections, and it avoids careful teaching and accountability. And, it appears, its “God told me so” is now perhaps the most dangerous four-word sentence uttered by church leaders and planters. This massive church planting has been attributed to a number of factors. Economic recession, rapid evangelization, beliefs and practices, unhealthy rivalry, genuine thirst for spiritual nourishment, theological issues, fanaticism, lead ership squabbles, and other such things are examples (Falayi, 1998).

1.2 STATEMENT OF THE PROBLEM

The phenomenon of church planting has both advantages and disadvantages. The benefits include rapid evangelization, the development of new leadership, the provision of checks and balances to orthodox churches, the promotion of specialization in ministry, and the enhancement of an environment in which human problems are sometimes solved (Adesanya, 2004). Personality clashes, unhealthy competition for converts through homiletical propaganda, lack of unity, monetary crises, heresies, fanaticism, and bickering are among the drawbacks (Tokunbo, 2007).

Although there are some drawbacks to massive church planting, as mentioned above, they are not severe enough to condemn the phenomenon entirely. This is because Jesus is said to have said in the Bible that the Gospel should be preached to all nations (Mk. 16:15). Then, in Philippians 1:15-18, Paul says, encourages church planting and growth in order to further God’s kingdom. This is because religion is a living and dynamic phenomenon rather than a fossil. It will undoubtedly continue to rise. The researcher investigates the issues and prospects of church planting in Nigeria, with a focus on the Redeemed Christian Church of God (RCCG).

1.3 OBJECTIVES OF THE STUDY

The following are the study’s objectives:

To investigate the problems and prospects of church planting in Nigeria.

To assess the benefits and drawbacks of massive church planting in Nigeria.

To investigate the factors that promote the growth of churches in Nigeria.

1.4 RESEARCH QUESTIONS

What are the challenges and opportunities for church planting in Nigeria?

What are the advantages and disadvantages of massive church planting in Nigeria?

What factors are promoting the growth of churches in Nigeria?

1.6 SIGNIFICANCE OF THE STUDY

The following are the study’s implications:

The study’s findings will educate church administrators and the general public in Nigeria about the benefits and drawbacks of massive church planting in Nigeria.

This research will also serve as a resource base for other scholars and researchers interested in conducting additional research in this field in the future, and if applied, will go so far as to provide new explanations for the topic.

1.7 SCOPE/LIMITATIONS OF THE STUDY

This research on the issues and prospects of church planting in Nigeria will look at the rate at which new churches are being established in Nigeria in order to identify the benefits and drawbacks.

Study limitations

Financial constraint- Inadequate funding tends to impede the researcher’s efficiency in locating relevant materials, literature, or information, as well as in the data collection process (internet, questionnaire and interview).

Time constraint- The researcher will conduct this study alongside other academic work. As a result, the amount of time spent on research will be reduced.

REFERENCES

I.O. Adesanya (2004), “Proliferation of Churches: Bane or Blessing,” Journal of Contemporary Issues in Education, Vol. 11, No. 1: 55-60.

M.O. Fayomi, The Christian Response to Our Moral and Social Crisis, Ado-Ekiti: Hope Paper Mills, 1993.

Olayi, O. O. (1998). “Church Proliferation: Causes and Effects on Church Growth, A Case Study of Ikere Local Government Area in Ekiti State,” an unpublished project submitted to the RCCG, Bible College, Lagos, p. 42.

D.O. Tokunbo (2002), “Pentecostal and Charismatic Perspectives of the Redeemed Christian Church of God,” Ondo Journal of Religion, Vol.111, No. 1 and 2. 3. R. Ogidi (1997), “Worries about Religion’s Failure as a Moral Anchor,” The Guardian, March 28, 11.