Investigation of Leadership Factors Affecting Church Growth in Pentecostal Assemblies of Malawi

Abstract

Pentecostal Assemblies of Malawi was among the fastest growing Pentecostal and Charismatic churches in Malawi in the 1980s, however, the church begun to experience a decline in its numerical and financial growth from 1999. Studies on church growth revealed that effective leadership is critical to the growth of a church spiritually, numerically and financially. The study sought to investigate leadership factors that affect church growth especially in Pentecostal Assemblies of Malawi. The research methodology used was qualitative-case study. The choice of the methodology was based the purpose of the study to explore the phenomena of church growth, rather than to confirm the hypotheses about the phenomena. The sample size was 50 pastors and church leaders out of a population of 500 leaders and pastors in Lilongwe district. Data collection was by means of conducting interviews and sending questionnaires. Data analysis was through interpretation of the graphs, charts and percentages. Findings herein provided a portrait of leadership factors which affected the growth of Pentecostal Assemblies of Malawi from 1999 to 2012. Recommendations for further research was made to explore whether other churches fail to grow due to the same leadership factors since this was a case study on Pentecostal Assemblies of Malawi.