Developing a Biblical Model of Church Growth in Igoli-Ogoja Seventh-day Adventist Church, Northern Cross River Mission Station, Nigeria

Abstract

This study was to develop and implement a biblical model of church growth in Igoli-Ogoja Seventh-day Adventist Church in Northern Cross River Mission Station. The church membership was decreasing and everyone seemed unconcerned about it. A closer look at the membership statistical record from 2012-2015 confirmed the membership decline. The purpose of this study was to develop and implement an in-ministry program to enhance numerical growth in the church. This project utilized biblical components of church growth, church growth principles, spiritual disciplines, social and relational graces found in the early church. Jonas Arrais concludes that in this 21st century the key understanding about church growth is its health. That when a church is healthy (spiritual growing church), it grows naturally, in all areas of life. Also, it promotes every member involvement in mission through spiritual gift discovery. Similarly, Dudley alludes to this that, for a church to grow numerically the members must be groomed in spiritual growth. The method used was the mixed method (qualitative and quantitative techniques). Its holistic way of analysing data through participants’ interview and observation determined the rationale for selecting this method. Data was collected from focus group and questionnaire from participants who were selected through stratified random sampling. A set of structured (closed and open ended) questions were designed for both apparatus of survey. The data collected was analysed and the findings stated in the work. The biblical model of church growth strategy was developed and implemented. Evaluation of the project indicated that members were revitalized for mission, through Bible study, prayer, interpersonal relationship initiatives and gift –based ministry. This project was successful because the church’s problem was discovered to be spiritual lethargy and renewal intervention was implemented which brought the church to spiritual vibrancy and growth. The researcher recommends that policy guidelines be provided to statutorily entrench this program as a regular feature of the church, since ultimately, church growth is the very essence of the church’s existence.