Church Growth and Development Analysis of Why Pentecostal Assemblies of God Churches in Uganda Have Stagnated in Growth and Development
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Date
2024-06-04
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Uganda Christian University
Abstract
The study analyzed why Pentecostal Assemblies of God Churches in Uganda have stagnated in
growth and development. The specific objectives of the study were to assess how; evangelism
programs; assimilation of new converts; discipleship programs; and professional training of church
leaders contribute to the growth and development of Pentecostal Assemblies of God Churches in
Uganda. The study adopted a mixed research design that used both qualitative and quantitative
research approaches. The target population for this study was 204 participants from whom a
sample size of 176 respondents were selected using the Krejcie and Morgan (1970) sample size
determination tables. Data was collected using a survey questionnaire and an interview guide.
The major finding from this study show that “evangelism programs, assimilation of new converts
in the church, and professional training of church leaders are the major factors responsible for
stagnation in the church growth and development of Pentecostal Assemblies of God Churches in
Uganda. On the contrary discipleship significantly contributes to church growth and development of
Pentecostal Assemblies of God Churches in Uganda. Evangelism programs do not contribute to
PAG church growth and development in that; PAG does not effectively conduct evangelism
programs in its churches (68%); PAG evangelism approaches are not widely adopted as policy
only a few individual churches use those approaches (50%); The PAG evangelism approach is not
well known to all. Some churches conduct crusades as individual church initiatives but not as a
universal approach (64%); There is a knowledge gap in the awareness of use of door to door as an
evangelism approach (53%); PAG does not have a well-known evangelism program and calendar
being followed while conducting evangelism as a ministry (61%); PAG church members are not
trained in evangelism. Trainings are organized by individual churches and not as an overall policy
for all PAG churches (58%); PAG does not have a specific budget for evangelism programs; There
is no clear follow up system for evangelism in PAG churches (51%); There is no full-fledged
evangelism department in PAG church (77%); Assimilation of new converts in the church does
not contribute to PAG church growth and development because; PAG does not have a follow up
mechanism for her new converts (81%); PAG does not conduct regular baptism services for her
new members (54%); Mature new members are not assigned responsibility in the church because
PAG follows certain criteria to assign duty to someone in the church not basing on maturity in age
(59%); PAG does not have a fully-fledged department responsible for follow up of new converts
in their churches (77%). There is no discipleship curriculum and planned classes in PAG churches
(72%); There is no budget for the discipleship program in PAG churches (65%). Church leader’s
training is not a requirement for ministry appointment (77%). Meaning for one to do ministry in
PAG does not require training before being assigned a position; Church leaders training does not
assist in removing unproductive patterns of behavior in PAG church (74%); Leaders in PAG
churches face challenges of handling congregations because they are not equipped with leadership
skills (52%); Trained Church leaders do not prepare others for effective ministry of church growth
and development (55%); Professionally trained church leaders do not fulfil formal and informal
leadership roles in the church (55%);