Influence of emerging independent pentecostal churches practices on the membership of Methodist church in Kenya: a case of Kaaga synod, Meru, Kenya

Abstract

This research project sought to assess the influence of emerging independent Pentecostal churches on the membership of Methodist Church, Kaaga Synod, Kenya. Methodist church having been established in Meru in 1912 by Rev. Worthington should be leading in numerical strength in Meru region owing to the fact that it was established that early. However, this is not the case. The trend of membership for the last ten years from 2001 to 2010 shows a decline. The study sought to determine the extent to which leadership structure in Independent Pentecostal Churches (IPC) influences membership numerical growth or decline in the MCK Kaaga Synod, determine the extent to which youth ministry in the IPC influences membership numerical growth or decline in MCK Kaaga Synod and to investigate the extent to which mode of worship in the Independent Pentecostal Churches (IPC) influences membership numerical growth or decline in MCK Kaaga Synod. The study focused on Methodist Church Kaaga, Synod and particularly the Churches within Meru Municipality. Necessary literature review was done on the area of study. Such areas are leadership structure, youth ministry and mode of worship. The study employed descriptive survey design. The target population was 2400 members which included Churches within Meru town, 384 members of FGK church, 436 members of Redeemed Church, 436 members of Deliverance Church, 184 members of Winners Chapel, 276 members of Great Gospel Visioners (GGV), 184 members of EAPC, 184 members of KAG and 276 members of Jesus House of Praise Church. The sample size was 240 members which was 10% of the target population. Data collection was done through questionnaires. Data collected was analyzed using SPSS and presented through frequency tables. The findings of the study showed that the Methodist Church enrollment of members has declined due to its leadership structure. The leaders have stood to the rules governing the church and at this moment of time there is transformation in all sectors of this world. This has made especially the youth to run away to other churches in a bid to exercise what they feel is their own way of expression. The mode of worship in the Methodist church is old fashioned, the kind of hymns and mode of worship are done in local language and they practice only hymnal singing. This cannot be compared to what is going on in IPC as they practice contemporary singing and dancing that match the current day trends and practice the Western kind of fashion with them matching the global trends. The youth ministry in IPC is very effective whereas in Methodist Church is not much composed. They try their level best though they have been outdone by the IPC where you can’t compare their ways of doing things. This makes them run where they feel free to express their feelings and emotions. From the study the following recommendations were made; that the church should have a leadership structure that encompasses everyone and more to that include the youth leadership and listen to their grievances. They should shift to the global trends making sure to protect the values of the church to compete with NRM, the church should adopt to the changing times and ensure that the mode of worship is one that attracts everyone and use new songs, song and dance to match the current trends and move with the technological changes and that the church should strengthen its youth ministry and help them to stay instead of leaving. They should organize fellowships, seminars and trainings for the youth. They should try to engage the youth even during the times they are on holiday