Leadership Styles and their influence on Church membership growth: A Study of the Pentecostal Assemblies of God Church Kianungu District Nyamira County

Efficient church leadership is core in the numerical growth of church membership. Therefore, the style of leadership adopted by a Church leader will have a bearing in the growth of membership. Poor leadership styles have led to a drop in membership, even for Churches that began with a high membership. A notable example is that of the Pentecostal Assemblies of God Church Kianungu in Nyamira, which over the years has recorded a downward trend in her membership. The purpose of this study was to determine the role of church leaders on Church membership growth. Therefore, one of the specific objectives of the study was to find out the leadership styles applied in Christian churches and its effect on membership growth. The study employed Robert Greenleaf’s theory of servant leadership as articulated by Burkus (2010). The study employed a descriptive survey method and data was collected through structured Questionnaires. A stratified random sampling technique was adopted. Primary data was interpreted and synthesized through qualitative methods which employed a quick impressionist summary and thematic analysis. Validity of research instruments was established before data collection. The study findings showed that the growth of church membership is affected by the leadership styles adopted by the members. Despite the fact that there are other factors contributing to Low Church membership growth such leadership conflicts, poor remuneration of pastors, and weak establishment of programs, poor leadership style is a key factor. The ultimate goal of the study was to come up with possible ways on how to adopt the best leadership style that may be used by church leaders in the PAG church to increase the numerical membership growth. This study may also serve a reference material for research in the field of church leadership and membership growth.

Efficient church leadership is core in the numerical growth of church membership. Therefore, the style of leadership adopted by a Church leader will have a bearing in the growth of membership. Poor leadership styles have led to a drop in membership, even for Churches that began with a high membership. A notable example is that of the Pentecostal Assemblies of God Church Kianungu in Nyamira, which over the years has recorded a downward trend in her membership. The purpose of this study was to determine the role of church leaders on Church membership growth. Therefore, one of the specific objectives of the study was to find out the leadership styles applied in Christian churches and its effect on membership growth. The study employed Robert Greenleaf’s theory of servant leadership as articulated by Burkus (2010). The study employed a descriptive survey method and data was collected through structured Questionnaires. A stratified random sampling technique was adopted. Primary data was interpreted and synthesized through qualitative methods which employed a quick impressionist summary and thematic analysis. Validity of research instruments was established before data collection. The study findings showed that the growth of church membership is affected by the leadership styles adopted by the members. Despite the fact that there are other factors contributing to Low Church membership growth such leadership conflicts, poor remuneration of pastors, and weak establishment of programs, poor leadership style is a key factor. The ultimate goal of the study was to come up with possible ways on how to adopt the best leadership style that may be used by church leaders in the PAG church to increase the numerical membership growth. This study may also serve a reference material for research in the field of church leadership and membership growth.