scholarly journals YOUTH CONTRIBUTIONS TO CHURCH GROWTH: A CASE STUDY OF THE LIGHT OF THE WORLD SOCIETY (LOWS) OF CHRIST APOSTOLIC CHURCH, NIGERIA, 1966 - 1992

Author(s):  
Afolabi Samuel Oluseyi Ph.D

Christ Apostolic Church was the foremost African Indigenous Church in Nigeria and its history dates back to 1918. The growth and expansion of the church in Nigeria was aided by the activities of its youth organisations, foremost among which was the Light of the World Society. This article examines the origin of the society, its objectives, administration and programmes. The article also highlights the various contributions of the society to the growth and expansion of the church via evangelism and church planting, promotion of Christian education and leadership development. The study adopted George Ehusani’s concept which states that the youths should not be seen as mere objects or targets of the Church’s programmes and projects, rather they should be seen as active agents of evangelization. Data were gathered through the use of structured oral interview, questionnaire, archival materials and bibliographical search. KEYWORDS: Christ Apostolic Church, Light of the World, Youths, Growth and Expansion

Author(s):  
Afolabi Samuel Oluseyi Ph.D

Christ Apostolic Church was the foremost African Indigenous Church in Nigeria and its history dates back to 1918. The growth and expansion of the church in Nigeria was aided by the activities of its youth organisations, prominent among which is the Christ Apostolic Church Students’ Association. This article examines the origin of the Association, its vision, administration and programmes. The article also highlights the various contributions of the society to the growth and expansion of the church via evangelism and church planting, music ministry, establishment of Campus Fellowship Centres, promotion of Christian/formal education, career development and leadership development. The study adopted Matthew Seebach’s theory which is based on active forms of participation of youths in which the involvement of young people results in an impact on a process, influences a decision, or produces an outcome. Data were gathered through the use of structured oral interview, questionnaire, archival materials and bibliographical search. KEYWORDS: Christ Apostolic Church, Association, Youths, Growth and Expansion.


2021 ◽  
Vol 5 (1) ◽  
pp. 136
Author(s):  
Gernaida K. R. Pakpahan ◽  
Frans Pantan ◽  
Epafras Djohan Handojo

Peter Wagner, as an expert on church growth, stated that the Apostolic church is a church that is experiencing rapid growth. This claim is made because many Apostolic churches have been built around the world. The church continued the spirit of the apostles at the time of the early church's birth. However, it is important to conduct an in-depth study regarding the realization in the field; whether a thriving Apostolic church is carrying out God's mission or the personal ambition of a charismatic church leader. This study analyzes how the church which is said to be an Apostolic church runs its organization so that it experiences significant growth. The research method used is descriptive qualitative. The researcher tries to explore the phenomena and data obtained through respondents about the transformative apostolic church that was developed in the ministry of the Indonesian Bethel Church of Gatot Subroto. In conclusion, GBI Gatot Subroto is a transformative apostolic church, because of several things, such as a visionary church, senior pastors or mentor pastors as apostolic leaders, divine authority and the work of the Holy Spirit have an impact, the church as a center for leadership training and discipleship across generations implements apostolic ministry followed by other gifts/services, prioritizing mission, and focusing on the Kingdom of God.AbstrakPeter Wagner, sebagai salah satu ahli pertumbuhan gereja, menyatakan bahwa gereja Apostolik adalah gereja yang mengalami pertumbuhan secara pesat. Klaim ini disampaikan karena banyak-nya terbangun gereja-gereja beraliran Apostolik di seluruh dunia. Gereja tersebut melanjutkan semangat para rasul pada masa lahirnya gereja mula-mula. Namun, penting untuk dilakukan kajian mendalam terkait realisasi di lapangan; apakah gereja Apostolik yang berkembang menja-lankan misi Allah atau ambisi pribadi dari pemimpin gereja yang berkharismatik. Penelitian ini menganalisis bagaimana gereja yang dikatakan sebagai gereja Apostolik menjalankan organisa-sinya, sehingga mengalami pertumbuhan yang signifikan. Metode penelitian yang digunakan adalah kualitatif deskriptif. Peneliti berusaha mengeksplorasi fenomena dan data-data yang diperoleh melalui responden tentang gereja apostolik transformatif yang dikembangkan dalam pelayanan Gereja Bethel Indonesia Gatot Subroto. Kesimpu-lannya, GBI Gatot Subroto adalah gereja apostolik transformatif, karena beberapa hal, seperti: gereja yang visioner, gembala senior atau gembala pembina sebagai pemimpin kerasulan, otoritas Ilahi dan pekerjaan Roh Kudus berdampak, gereja sebagai pusat pelatihan kepemimpinan dan pemuridan lintas generasi, menerap-kan jawatan rasuli diikuti karunia-karunia/jawatan lainnya, memprioritaskan misi, dan berfokus pada Kerajaan Allah.


Author(s):  
Afolabi Oluseyi ◽  

Christ Apostolic Church is a foremost African Indigenous Church which has proliferated and shown phenomenal growth particularly in Nigeria. One of the factors responsible for the growth and expansion of the church in Nigeria was the activities of its youth organisations among which is the Royal Shepherds. This article focuses on the Royal Shepherds which is the paramilitary outfit of Christ Apostolic Church in Nigeria. The research highlights the history of the organisation, its aims and objectives and its administration. It also features the programmes and activities of the organisation and gives detailed attention to the specific contributions of the organisation to the growth of Christ Apostolic Church in Nigeria. Data were gathered through the use of structured oral interview, archival materials and bibliographical search. Useful suggestions were offered to improve the operations of the organisation.


2021 ◽  
Vol 38 (1) ◽  
pp. 119-141
Author(s):  
Helene Fisher ◽  
Elizabeth Lane Miller ◽  
Christof Sauer

Abstract Emerging understanding of gender-specific religious persecution in some of the world’s most difficult countries for Christians offers timely insight into complex dynamics in which the church and missions have too often been unwittingly complicit due to limited visibility of the components contributing to these wounds. Fresh research into these deeply wounding global phenomena stands as both a warning and a pointer towards an avenue for effective ministrations by churches and Christian ministries that are working in the most severely affected areas of the world. Drawing on the latest trends identified by World Watch Research, outcomes of the Consultation for Christian Women under Pressure for their Faith, a contemporary case study from Central African Republic, and a biblical narrative, we will explore practical opportunities for a holistic approach to bring preparedness, healing, and restoration for communities under severe pressure for their Christian faith.


2017 ◽  
Vol 42 (1) ◽  
pp. 40-54
Author(s):  
Stefan Paas

It is widely believed that the planting of new churches is a cause of church growth, regardless of culture or context. However, surprisingly little reliable and relevant data are presented to support this claim. In this article recent membership data of the Bund Freier evangelischer Gemeinden (Association of Free Evangelical Congregations) in Germany is explored to examine the relationship between church planting and church growth. The data show that there is indeed a positive correlation, but since there is also a clear correlation between rapid growth and decline, the evidence should be treated with care.


1992 ◽  
Vol 13 (1) ◽  
pp. 41-55
Author(s):  
J. J. Kritzinger

Mission in the church: A case study Based on an enquiry into mission interest in the NG Church. Although there can be no doubt that mission is the essential task to which God called the church into being, to be his witness in the world, the empirical church often shows very little awareness of this. This article relates some results of research done in the Dutch Reformed Church in the Republic of South Africa on the church members’ interest in and involvement with mission. Some of the significant factors influencing the missionary interest of the members were (a) their personal spirituality and activities within the church, (b) their political leanings, and (c) the missionary preaching and enthusiasm of the ministers. A few aspects of the ministry are highlighted as worthy of attention.


2020 ◽  
Vol 29 (1) ◽  
pp. 99-101
Author(s):  
Jack Barentsen

ZUSAMMENFASSUNGPete Ward präsentiert seine Vision für praktische Theologie als flüssige Ekklesiologie, die in der flüssigen Art verwurzelt ist, in der die Trinität in der Kirche und der Welt lebt und sich bewegt. Ihre Bewegungen lassen sich nur durch die Kombination von textueller und empirischer Forschung erkennen. In der Introduction bespricht Ward Hauptbereiche der praktischen Theologie in leicht verständlicher Sprache. Seine Liquid Ecclesiology präsentiert eine detaillierte theologische Darstellung sowie eine faszinierende Fallstudie der evangelischen Bewegung.SUMMARYPete Ward offers his vision for practical theology as liquid ecclesiology, rooted in the liquid ways in which the Trinity lives and moves within the Church and the world. Its movements can be discerned only by combing textual and empirical research. Ward’s Introduction reviews major areas of practical theological debate in accessible language; his Liquid Ecclesiology offers an in-depth theological account along with a fascinating case study of the evangelical movement.RÉSUMÉPete Ward présente sa vision de la théologie pratique comme une « ecclésiologie liquide », enracinée dans la manière liquide dont la Trinité vit et se meut au sein de l’Église et du monde. Ses mouvements ne peuvent être discernés qu’en combinant des recherches textuelles et empiriques. L’Introduction considère les principaux débats de théologie pratique dans un langage accessible. Son ouvrage intitulé Liquid Ecclesiology offre un récit théologique approfondi ainsi qu’une étude de cas fascinante du mouvement évangélique.


2019 ◽  
Vol 4 (2) ◽  
pp. 51-57
Author(s):  
Amos Hosea

The characteristics of faith education in Pentecostal churches are illustrated in this paper. Characteristics that further emphasize the process of discipleship in the church, education that produces new leaders, education that makes church growth, education referred to as the new apostolic church pattern and non-formal education described in the nature of this paper. These five characteristics form the basis for pentecostalism to develop into a denominational church whose growth is quite rapid until now.


2020 ◽  
Vol 28 (2) ◽  
pp. 182-184
Author(s):  
Hannes Wiher

SummaryThe Dutch missiologist and church planter Stefan Paas has written an excellent book which will be of great benefit to theologians and practitioners alike. He provides an overview over the biblical material on church planting as well as its history, but the focus of the book is practical. The Church Growth Theory is among the models which are discussed critically. The book concludes with a theological defence of church planting in Europe in our time. This comprehensive book by a very knowledgeable ‘reflective practitioner’ is well researched and documented.RésuméStefan Paas, missiologue et implanteur d’Église hollandais, a rédigé un livre excellent qui bénéficiera grandement aux théologiens et aux praticiens. Il présente l’enseignement biblique sur l’implantation d’Église et retrace l’histoire de l’implantation d’Église, mais son apport est surtout pratique. La théorie de la croissance d’Église fait partie des modèles qu’il évalue de manière critique. Il conclut avec une apologie théologique de l’implantation d’Église en Europe en notre temps. Cet ouvrage repose sur une documentation fournie et un bon travail de recherche et de réflexion.ZusammenfassungDer niederländische Missionswissenschaftler und Gemeindegründer Stefan Paas hat ein ausgezeichnetes Buch geschrieben, von dem Wissenschaftler und Praktiker gleichermaßen profitieren können. Er bietet zwar einen Überblick über das biblische Material zu Gemeindegründung wie auch deren Geschichte, doch der Schwerpunkt des Buches ist praktischer Natur. Die Gemeindewachstumstheorie zählt zu den Modellen, die hier kritisch erörtert werden. Das Buch schließt mit einer theologischen Rechtfertigung von Gemeindegründung im gegenwärtigen Europa. Dieses umfangreiche Werk von einem ausgesprochen wohlinformierten ,,reflektierender Praktiker“ bezeugt eine fundierte Forschung und Dokumentation.


Sign in / Sign up

Export Citation Format

Share Document