Influence of Church Macro-Environment activities on congregation socioeconomic development: a case of P.C.E.A. Molo Parish, Nakuru County-Kenya

Abstract

The purpose of this study was to investigate the influence of church macro-environment activities on congregation development at PCEA Molo Parish in Molo Sub-County, Nakuru County in Kenya. The specific objectives of the study were to assess the influence church economic activities on the congregation socioeconomic development, the influence of church social activities on the congregation socioeconomic development, and church political activities on the congregation socioeconomic development within the study area. The study was be guided by Amartya Sens Capability Approach and Durkheim’s Functionalist Theory of Religion. It employed the descriptive design that involved collecting view and opinion in relation to church macro-environment activities without manipulating any variable. The population of the study was 1093 individuals comprising of 690 communicants, 390 church groups’ leaders, and 13 congregation chairpersons. From this population 285 respondents comprising of 180 communicants, 102 group leaders, and 3 congregation chairperson were selected using the systematic sampling technique. Questionnaires were used to collect data from communicants and group leaders while interviews schedules were used to collect data from congregation chairpersons. The instruments were piloted at the PCEA Elburgon Parish where data was collected from 29 respondents that is equivalent to 10% of the sample size for the main study. Quantitative data was analysed using descriptive and inferential statistics and presented in the form of graphs and table. Qualitative data was analysed thematically and results reported in quotes and narratives. Results revealed that church economic activities (r= .573, p= .001), church social activities (r=.625, p=.000), and church political activities (r= .418, p=.014) were positively and significantly associated with congregation development at PCEA Molo Parish. These findings led to the conclusions that church economic activities, church social activities, and church political activities have a significant positive influence on congregation development at PCEA Molo Parish. The study recommended that parish consider initiating entrepreneurial financing program to further promote the economic development of the congregation. The Parish should also consider investing in water and sanitation services as well as encourage members of its congregation to increase their participation in politics and governance issues.