Authentic Leadership, Personal Characteristics, and Church Growth in Embu County, Kenya
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Date
2025-01-27
Authors
Stephen Njoroge Kamau
Edward Katue Nzinga
Jacob Kimathi
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
Pac University
Abstract
Authentic leaders adapt their leadership styles to resonate authentically with their followers, emphasizing the importance of genuine relationships. At the intersection of authentic leadership is the role of personal characteristics, which is often pertinent in the church where leaders must navigate diverse congregational dynamics. This research aimed to establish whether personal characteristics moderates the perceived effects of authentic leadership on church growth in Embu County, Kenya. The denominations included Deliverance Churches, Restoration End Time Churches, Triumph Churches, Full Gospel Church of Kenya, Winners Chapel, and Great Gospel Visioners. The research was anchored on authentic leadership theory. Correlational research
design was utilized. A total of 35 Pentecostal churches in Embu County were selected. A purposive sample of 387 respondents participated in the study. Data was collected using a structured questionnaire and analysed using moderated regression technique. Results demonstrated that authentic leadership significantly influenced church growth (R²=.740, p<.01). Only the main effect of age on church growth was statistically significant (B = -0.032,p = .019). However, none of the personal characteristics significantly moderated the effect of authentic leadership on church growth. The absence of a moderating effect from personal characteristics suggests that authentic leadership transcends demographic differences. The study affirms the relevance of authentic leadership theory by demonstrating its significant influence on church growth, regardless of personal uniqueness. The findings suggest that authentic leadership, with its focus on genuine relationships and empowerment, remains a key driver of organizational success, transcending demographic variables in the context of church growth in Kenya