THE ACHIEVEMENT OF CHURCH GROWTH THROUGH CHRISTIAN PUBLICATIONS

THE ACHIEVEMENT OF CHURCH GROWTH THROUGH CHRISTIAN PUBLICATIONS

CHAPTER ONE

INTRODUCTION

• Background to the Study

The slow rate of church growth in our society is calling for urgent attention, and looking at Christ's expectation of church growth through the great commission, mandate, and commands given to every Christian. Despite the population of Christians and the methods that are currently available for the church of God to grow, such as members of massive open and closed crusades, one-to-one evangelism, all kinds of church programmes, social media, and media houses,. Lewis C. S. said that literature adds to reality, it does not simply describe it, it enriches the necessary competences that daily life requires and provides; and in this respect, it irrigates the deserts that our lives have already become

Hence, this observation led the researcher to think outside the box in the area of Christian publication, on how it can be broadly looked into, to complement other methods that give corresponding growth to the church and expense the shortcoming of Christian publication.

• Statement of the Problem

It is very disheartening that the church has shifted its focus to publications of Christian literature as a means to encourage both quantitative and qualitative growth of the church. Since church growth is a high expectation by God from man and a command to men from God, attention and strategy should be shifted to Christian publication for church growth, and answers have to be provided for the following questions:

1. How do Christian publications influence church growth in the church at large and at Christ Apostolic Church Ogudu Zonal Headquarter in particular?
2. Does the disposition of members towards Christian publication affect the growth of the church?
3. Does the educational background of the members of the church influence their disposition towards Christian publications?
4. How does their literacy level affect the growth of the church?
   • Purpose of the Study

The aim of this study is to achieve church growth through Christian publications, specifically the following:

1. To find the effect of Christian publication on church growth.
2. To investigate the effect of Christian publication on the growth of the church.
3. To determine the effect of Christian publication on the growth of the church.
4. To determine the effect of the acquisition of knowledge on the growth of the Christ Apostolic Church, Ogudu.
5. To suggest possible recommendations for the degree of Christian publication across the board.
6. To suggest solutions to the challenges of Christian publications.
   • Significant aspects of the Study

This study will be of great significance to the following:

1. Theological Seminaries: This work will encourage more dedication and efforts from theological lecturers to increase the educational and spiritual lives of the people by teaching practical theology.
2. Christian Educational Bodies: It is of great significance to Christian educational bodies of the church, like the Sunday School Department and the Discipleship Training Department, to be more committed to the publication of Christian materials.
3. Theologians and Researchers: It is resource material for both theologians and those who want to engage in theological research as regards this subject matter.
4. It is also relevant to the Christ Apostolic Church worldwide and the general body of Christ in educating the congregation on the function, purpose, and specific role of the Christian publication in growing the church physically, spiritually, and numerically.
   • Delimitation of the Study

The scope of this research is concentrated on the Christ Apostolic Church, Oke-Anu Ogudu, and how the growth of church publication activity in the church has produced a need for competence. It will examine the church, its growth, and its impact on the object of study (a Christian publication). Moreso, the Sunday school, Bible study, devotional study, and other teaching agencies will be assessed.

• Research Procedure

This section of the research work deals with the methods and procedures used in carrying out the research work. This project basically depends on the gathering of relevant information and findings from:

1. LIFE Theological Seminary Library, Ikorodu
2. Interviews and questionnaires were conducted by the researcher at Christ Apostolic Church, Oke-Anu, Ogudu.
3. Also, the researcher made tremendous use of the internet sources, where references were made where applicable.

1.7       Limitation of Study

The researcher was challenged by the inability of respondents to meet deadlines and submit the questionnaire. The interviewer did not meet the scheduled appointment, which led to a delay in its completion. However, the available data was used to present a valid work.

• Definition of Terms

Assessment:

The process of making a judgement or forming an opinion after considering something or someone carefully.

Christian:

Is a person who adheres to Christianity, an Abrahamic monotheistic religion based on the life and teaching of Jesus Christ.

Church:

This is the assembly of the called-out ones from the world. It also means believers who meet together for worship in a specific locality. The church constitutes the entire body of those who are saved by their relation to Christ, those belonging to the Lord.

Church Growth:

Church growth, as it relates to the individual local body of believers, is a balanced increase in quantity, quality and organisational growth of a local assembly

Growth:

Francis Bola Akin-John defines growth as the end result of doing something right, and growth in the church is the answer to doing it the right way. Growth is the sum total of life, the very purpose of our existence. We live to grow, and we grow to live. If we stop growing, we will surely start to grey.

Publication:

Is the communication of something to the public in writing, making information generally known, the act of issuing pointed materials?

Keywords: THE ACHIEVEMENT OF CHURCH GROWTH THROUGH CHRISTIAN PUBLICATIONS

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