Assessing the phenomenon of backsliding among men in the selected congregations in Nyamira West Field, East Kenya Union Conference

Abstract

The church stands as a vital institution within society, primarily offering spiritual guidance that encourages individuals to confront emotional, psychological, and mental challenges, as well as family-related issues, in a setting characterized by hope and optimism. Despite this critical role, a concerning development has been the noticeable decrease in male participation within church communities. The study assessed the phenomenon of backsliding among men in church attendance in selected congregations in Nyamira West Field, Kenya. It employed a quantitative method for data collection, using a self-generated questionnaire as the research instrument to survey respondents on a four-point Likert scale, measuring their attitudes and opinions. The study adopted a descriptive survey design. The sample comprised 179 backslidden men. The raw data were analyzed electronically using the Statistical Package for the Social Sciences (SPSS) software for descriptive data analysis. Based on the findings, the leading reasons for backsliding were loss of faith, loss of interest, involvement in drinking alcohol, criticism from fellow church members, lack of frequent visitation, and discrimination. Therefore, the study recommended that church pastors and leaders visit and reclaim backsliders, actively involving each church member in weekly activities to retain and nurture them spiritually. Additionally, it was deemed essential to revive the small group ministry, Sabbath afternoon program, prayer ministry, visitation program, and leadership training to address the concerning trend of backsliding. The study further recommended conducting research using both qualitative and mixed methods to gain a clearer understanding of backsliding.