Leadership Practices Influencing Youth Participation in Church Activities within Mainstream Protestant Churches in Nairobi, Kenya

Abstract

Youth participation in mainstream Protestant churches in Nairobi, Kenya, has shown signs of decline, raising concerns about the effectiveness of leadership in maintaining engagement. This study investigated how leadership practices influence youth participation in church activities within mainstream Protestant churches in Nairobi, Kenya. Specifically, it examined how leaders’ discipleship guidance, mentorship initiatives, group facilitation skills, and empowerment strategies relate to youth participation, while considering the moderating role of socio-cultural factors. Grounded in Transformational Leadership, Positive Youth Development, Social Learning, and Social Capital theories, the study employed a mixed-methods design. The target population included 4,500 youths across nine groups, with 369 respondents selected through multistage sampling. The study collected quantitative data using structured questionnaires and analyzed them with descriptive statistics, cross-tabulations, and regression, while qualitative interviews provided contextual insights. Results show that discipleship consistently corresponded with higher participation, while mentorship, group facilitation, and empowerment were also linked to engagement, though access and implementation varied. Socio-cultural factors, including peer influence and cultural norms, affected participation to a lesser extent, and religious identity showed the weakest association. Qualitative accounts highlighted that structured leadership guidance, regular mentorship, and opportunities for youth to take on responsibilities were associated with higher engagement, while inconsistent programs and social pressures contributed to uneven participation. The study concludes that structured leadership drives youth participation in Nairobi’s mainstream Protestant churches, with socio-cultural factors playing a secondary role. It recommends urgent action to strengthen discipleship, deliver consistent mentorship, organize active youth groups, and provide genuine leadership roles with accountability to sustain engagement.