LEADERSHIP TREND AND ITS IMPACT ON GROWTH OF THE CHURCH: “A CASE STUDY OF THE GREAT COMMISSION CHURCH INTERNATIONAL”

Abstract

In a number of studies conducted, individual researchers have over the years been able to established the fact that efficient leadership and good management systems has implication for the successful and smooth running of every organization. On the other hand, inefficiency and bad management systems also has its own implication. As a result of this, scholars in the area of church growth studies have also tried to establish a link between leadership and church growth. Most church growth scholars have argued that good church leadership and efficiency can bring about church growth. In this study, the researcher, with a similar assumption takes the task further by trying to establish how leadership succession in the Great Commission Church International has over the years impacted the growth of the Church. Employing a qualitative and a historical approach as a method in dealing with the situation as stake, the study draws a lot of data through interviews with past executive councils chairmen of the Great Commission Church International and how they went about their leadership strategies during their tenure in office as council chairmen. The study also gives a brief historical background of the church. Taking into consideration the number of challenges that has confronted the church with regards to changes in leadership, this study has analyzed the impact each leadership regime has had on the church in terms of it growth and also, their failures. The study also, offers various critique on the leadership style of each regime. In looking at the challenges that has ensued over the years, this study also makes a number of recommendations based on the findings made for a possible amendment in the church. The researcher argues strongly and in support with scholars that, good church leadership has implication for church growth.