PENTECOSTAL CHURCHES’ RESPONSE TO THE PLIGHT OF WIDOWS IN FEDERAL CAPITAL TERRITORY, ABUJA

PENTECOSTAL CHURCHES’ RESPONSE TO THE PLIGHT OF WIDOWS IN FEDERAL CAPITAL TERRITORY, ABUJA

ABSTRACT
This study titled Pentecostal churches‘ response to the plight of widows in Federal
Capital Territory (FCT), Abuja set out to investigate how Pentecostal churches
understand the Biblical teaching concerning; identify the plight of widows in
Pentecostal churches; find out the response of Pentecostal churches to the plight
of widows and give suggestion on how the Pentecostal churches can respond to
the plight of widows. Four research questions were raised and four null
hypotheses formulated to guide the study. A survey research design was adopted
for the study. A total of five hundred (500) Pentecostal Church members
(Comprising of Ministers, Widows and other members) were randomly sampled
and stratified for the study. The questionnaires were distributed to Forty two (42)
sampled Pentecostal Churches in the six Area Councils of Abuja. One minister
and a widow in each of the sampled churches were interviewed. Therefore, the
research instruments used for the study were structured questionnaire and
structured interview schedule. Six hundred and thirty (630) copies of
questionnaires were distributed in the field. Five hundred and forty-three (543)
copies were retrieved. Five hundred (500) were found valid for use due to their
proper filling as opposed to the remaining forty three (43) copies which were not
properly filled. The data collected from the respondents in the Forty-two (42)
churches were statistically analyzed using the SPSS Software. The four null
hypotheses were tested at 0.05 level of significance as well as frequencies,
percentages; means and standard deviation were employed to answer research
questions. Statistical tests of t-test and ANOVA were used for the test of the null
hypotheses. The major findings of this study were that: the Pentecostal Church
members have an understanding of Biblical teaching concerning widows;
Pentecostal Church Widows are suffering from different kinds of Plight, and in
recognition of these, the Pentecostal Churches show concern by giving
scholarship to widows‘ children in order to alleviate their plight; Pentecostal
Churches Positively respond to the Plight of Widows by designing a special
programme for widows; organizing seminars and counseling widows; providing
welfare package like skill acquisition programme and financial assistance to
widows; and having Bible Study on topics having to do with widows‘ Plight
periodically. It was also found out that Pentecostal Churches assist and encourage
widows in terms of regular financial assistance; material support/supply of food
items to widows; raising educational funds to assist widows‘ children; regular
visitation to widows and gainful employment for widows. Therefore, it was
recommended that Pentecostal Ministers should keep educating their
congregations on the Biblical teaching concerning the plight of widows and
encourage them to care for widows; Other recommendations were that Pentecostal
ministers should encourage widows among them to re-marry if they still have the
grace in order to alleviate the plight they go through; also, widows of Pentecostal
churches should make efforts to find solutions to their problems by embracing
entrepreneurship and self employment ventures. This will go a long way to make
them self reliant.

TABLE OF CONTENT

Title page- – – – – – – – – i
Approval page – – – – – – – -ii
Dedication – – – – – – – – -iii
Acknowledgement – – – – – – – -iv
Abstract – – – – – – – – – -v
Table of content – – – – – – – -vi

CHAPTER ONE
INTRODUCTION – – – – – – – -1
1.0 Background of the study – – – – -1
1.1 Statement of the problem – – – – -5
1.2 Purpose of the study – – – – – -6
1.3 Significance of the study – – – – -8
1.4 Research questions – – – – – -9
1.5 Scope of the study – – – – – – -10

CHAPTER TWO

LITERATURE REVIEW – – – – – – -11

CHAPTER THREE

Research methodology – – – – – – -39
Design of study – – – – – – – -40

CHAPTER FOUR

Presentation, analysis and interpretation of data – -48

CHAPTER FIVE

Summary of findings – – – – – – -60
Conclusion – – – – – – – – -61
Recommendations – – – – – – – -62
Suggestions for further research – – – – -64
References – – – – – – – – -65
Appendix I – – – – — – – – -68
Questionnaire. – – – – – – – -69

PENTECOSTAL CHURCHES’ RESPONSE TO THE PLIGHT OF WIDOWS IN FEDERAL CAPITAL TERRITORY, ABUJA

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