FACTORS MILITATING AGAINST THE GROWTH OF SEVENTH DAY ADVENTIST CHURCH IN OKUTALA COMMUNITY, MORO LOCAL GOVERNMENT KWARA STATE

CHAPTER ONE

INTRODUCTION

1. 1. BACKGROUND OF THE STUDY

The word church is a translation of the Greek ekklesia, which means “a calling out.” The Septuagint, the Greek version of the Hebrew O.T. uses the Hebrew qahal, which stands for “gathering,’ “assembly,” or “congregation” (Deut. 9:10; 18:16; 1 Sam. 17:47; 1 Chron. 13:2). The proper definition for the church is “the body of Christ, a community of faith of which Christ Himself is the Head. The church is the bride for whom Christ died that He might sanctify and cleanse her” (Seventh-day Adventists (SDAs) Believe), 2013)[1]. Another fitting definition by Carlos G. Martin, professor of Mission and Church Growth, states, “Church is a local community of Christians voluntarily congregated, correctly baptized, and properly organized, which meets to worship God, observe the ordinances, and carry out the Great Commission of Jesus Christ at home and abroad” (Martin, 2011, p. 24)[2]. One of the seven descriptive pictures or metaphoric descriptions of the church is the church as the body of Christ (SDAS Believe, pp. 167- 170; Towns, 2010)[3]. If we see the church through the eyes of Jesus Christ, the church must exist for purpose. Since the church is the redeemed body of believers (Ac 20:28; 1Cor 6:20; 1Co 7:23; Gal 3:13; Heb 9:12), it has to live to fulfill Christ’s mission. According to Peter, God called His people from darkness of this world into His marvelous light (1Pet 2:9) that His “chosen people,” to “declare” or “proclaim” His glory. His glory may mean all about Him, His kingdom or His gospel (Mat 24:14). The purpose/mission of the church is to (1) teach biblical doctrines, (2) provide a place of fellowship, (3) observe the Lord’s supper, (4) pray for all church related needs, (5) proclaim the gospel of salvation to all mankind (Mt 28:18-20; Ac 1:8), (6) encourage members of the church to live upright and uncompromising lives (Rom 12:1-2; Eph 4:1; Col 1:10; 1Th 2:12), (7) minister to those in need (Ps 82:3, 4; Mt 19:21; Gal 2:10), and (8) equip believers for gospel ministry (Eph 4:12). Paul gives an excellent illustration to the church in Corinth that could be identified with the purpose of the church. The church is God’s hands, mouth, and feet in this world (1Cor. 12:12-27). We are to be doing the things that Jesus Christ would do if He were here physically on the earth. The church is to be “Christian” and “Christ-like.” In addition to what has been said earlier, the Seventh-day Adventists strongly believe that the church has special missions to accomplish in this end-time. The church undertakes special responsibility of bearing the characteristics of the remnant (Rev. 14:12). That is “the responsibility of proclaiming, just before Christ’s return, God’s final warning to the world—the three angels’ messages of Revelation 14 (Rev. 14:6-12)” (SDAs Believe, 2013). Therefore there is need for growth, Church growth is that discipline which investigates the nature, expansion, planting, multiplication, function, and health of Christian Churches as they relate to the effective implementation of God‘s commission to ?make disciples of peoples? (Matthew 28:18-20). Students of Church growth strive to integrate the eternal theological principles of God‘s word concerning the expansion of the Church with the best insights of contemporary social and behavioural sciences, employing as the initial framework of reference the foundational work done by Donald McGavran. (114). Hence the study examine the factors militating the growth of Seventh Day Adventist church in Okutala Community, Moro L.G.A. Kwara State

1. 1. STATEMENT OF PROBLEM

The establishment, growth and expansion of churches have been greatly influenced by great minister of God through evangelism and revival among the Christians. Observably, some churches have been established today without experiencing any growth. The Church grow numerically when ?people who, having been led to Christ, have become members of the Church; spiritually when Christians become obedient in each of the dimensions of the Church‘s life.? And functionally when: ?Officers of the Church understand their roles and function properly in them. -When members of the body discover and use their spiritual gifts in the work of the ministry of the whole Church.? (Gyger, Calhoun, & Thompson; 34)[4]. Therefore the study examines the factors militating against the growth of Seventh Day Adventist church in Okutala Community, Moro L.G.A. Kwara State.

1.3 AIMS OF THE STUDY

The major aim of the study is to examine the factors militating against the growth of seventh Day Adventist church in Okutala community, Moro L.G.A Kwara State. Other specific objectives of the study include;

1. To examine the primary focus in growth of seventh day Adventist church in Okutala Community, Moro L.G.A Kwara State.
2. To examine the factors contributing to successful growth of seventh day Adventist church in Okutala Community, Moro L.G.A Kwara State.
3. To examine the impact of Church politics on growth of seventh day Adventist church in Okutala Community, Moro L.G.A Kwara State
4. To examine the characteristics of growing church
5. To examine the relationship between Church politics and growth of seventh day Adventist church in Okutala Community, Moro L.G.A Kwara State.
6. To examine the history of seventh day Adventist church in Nigeria.

1.4 RESEARCH QUESTIONS                                                         

1. What is the primary focus in growth of seventh day Adventist church in Okutala Community, Moro L.G.A Kwara State?
2. What are the factors contributing to successful growth of seventh day Adventist church in Okutala Community, Moro L.G.A Kwara State?
3. What is the impact of Church politics on growth of seventh day Adventist church in Okutala Community, Moro L.G.A Kwara State?
4. What are the characteristics of growing church?
5. What is the relationship between Church politics and growth of seventh day Adventist church in Okutala Community, Moro L.G.A Kwara State?
6. What is the history of seventh day Adventist church in Nigeria?

1.5 RESEARCH HYPOTHESES

Hypothesis 1

H0: There is no significant impact of Church politics on growth of seventh day Adventist church in Okutala Community, Moro L.G.A Kwara State.

H1:  There is a significant impact of Church politics on growth of seventh day Adventist church in Okutala Community, Moro L.G.A Kwara State.

Hypothesis 2

H0: There is no significant relationship between Church politics and growth of seventh day Adventist church in Okutala Community, Moro L.G.A Kwara State.

H1: There is a significant relationship between Church politics and growth of seventh day Adventist church in Okutala Community, Moro L.G.A Kwara State.

1.6 SIGNIFICANCE OF THE STUDY

This research work will be a working tool as long as the leadership of seventh day Adventist church in Okutala Community, Moro L.G.A Kwara State is concerned. This research work will be of immense significance to other congregations due to the fact that most congregations share the same fate when it comes to the problems of Church growth. This material will also serve as a reference work to researchers in related fields of study as it is capable of gingering research into related fields of study.

1.7 SCOPE AND LIMITATION OF THE STUDY

The study is restricted to the factors militating against the growth of Seventh Day Adventist church in Okutala Community, Moro L.G.A. Kwara State.

1.8 LIMITATION OF THE STUDY

Financial constraint: Insufficient fund tends to impede the efficiency of the researcher in sourcing for the relevant materials, literature or information and in the process of data collection (internet, questionnaire and interview)

Time constraint: The researcher will simultaneously engage in this study with other academic work. This consequently will cut down on the time devoted for the research work.

1. 1. DEFINITION OF TERMS

Church: A specific group of Seventh-day Adventist members in a defined location that has been granted by constituency of a local conference/mission, in a session, official status of Seventh-day Adventist church.

Advent: This means coming or arrival. To Christians this means the first or the second coming of Jesus Christ.

Adventist: This is a Christian Church denomination which upholds the validity of Ten Commandments of God, with special emphasis on Sabbath (Saturday) as a day of worship. They teach as part of their belief the imminent coming of Christ.