Proliferation of Christian Denominations In Kenya: A case study of selected New Charismatic Movements in Nairobi Province

Abstract

This study is about proliferation of Christian denominations in Kenya especially through the New Charismatic Movements (NCMs). These movements are mostly founded by pastors/preachers with charisma in response to social, political, economic and religious changes in the contemporary Kenyan Society. The previous scholarly work done on the Kenyans NCMs is inadequate. This brings about the significance of this study being undertaken. The objectives to this study include; identifying the factors contributing to the extensive Christian denomination multiplicity especially through NCMs, identifying the impact of NCMs to both the society and mainline churches and finally to investigate the public perception on the NCMs. The study was conducted by analyzing both the primary and the secondary data. The secondary data was from the library findings; that is the previous scholarly work gone in form of thesis, projects and published books and also articles from both the newspaper and magazines. Sociological and theological approaches were used to find out how the NCMs relate with the society and the mainline churches respectively. Together with the library York an extensive fieldwork was done to get the primary data. Double mixed sampling was used to get the informants. Purposeful sampling was also used to get the indepth information. Having the informants the study used both the questionnaires and interviews to get the data, which were later analysed through descriptive method. The study identified various factors that contributed to the rise and growth of NCMs. These factors were found to be revolving in all dimensions of life; economical, social, psychological, cultural, political and also religious. Though some of these factors were found by the study to be genuine, others were not but they were initiated by the pastors or preachers for them to meet their daily expenses with the help of the congregation. The study also identified various impacts of the NCMs to the society and the mainline churches. It was found that though the NCMs had some negative impacts upon the two, they also had some positive contributions which needed to be acknowledged and appreciated. The positive effects were also felt by the youth and women who were realized to form the highest percentage in these movements. The study concluded that the New Charismatic Movements are of great benefit to both the society and mainline churches especially in their attempt of outreach of the Gospel. Nevertheless, greediness, dishonesty and desire for wealth were also found to bring about the proliferation of the Christian Denominations thus leading to commercializing Christianity through church business.