Project – The impact of Discipleship on Church Growth – A Study of Christ Apostolic Church, Oke Agbara, Ikotun.
CHAPTER ONE
INTRODUCTION
- Background of the Study
The concept of discipleship is foundational to the mission of the church, and its impact on church growth is a topic of growing importance in both academic and practical theology. Discipleship, in its simplest form, refers to the process of training and nurturing believers to follow Jesus Christ more closely, embodying his teachings and spreading the gospel. According to Green (2002), true discipleship is not only about personal transformation but also about contributing to the broader mission of the church, which is to make more disciples. As churches engage in discipling activities, they equip believers to be witnesses of the faith, fostering both spiritual maturity and outreach that are integral to church growth. Therefore, effective discipleship is seen as a key contributor to church vitality, leading to greater outreach, conversion, and spiritual development.
The relationship between discipleship and church growth is both direct and indirect, involving both internal church dynamics and external evangelistic efforts. Research by McGavran (1980) emphasizes that church growth does not occur merely through numerical increase, but through the depth of discipleship within a congregation. McGavran suggests that churches that foster a culture of discipleship are more likely to experience both qualitative and quantitative growth because the members are actively engaged in outreach, living out their faith in ways that draw others to the church. Furthermore, as disciples grow in their knowledge of God’s word, they become better equipped to disciple others, thereby creating a self-replicating cycle of growth.
Further, church growth often correlates with the intentionality of discipleship programs. According to the work of Barna (2013), churches with structured discipleship programs tend to have higher levels of retention and engagement. Barna notes that programs which emphasize Scripture study, accountability, and mentorship can significantly impact both individual spiritual growth and collective church health. For example, small groups and one-on-one mentoring relationships allow for deeper connections among members, which in turn foster a more vibrant and growing church community. These relationships create an environment where individuals feel supported, loved, and challenged, leading to both personal and collective growth.
However, the success of discipleship programs in driving church growth is not automatic and requires intentional effort from church leadership. Church leaders are tasked with creating a vision for discipleship that aligns with the mission of the church while adapting it to the specific cultural context in which they serve. As Stetzer (2006) argues, discipleship should not be a mere program, but an ongoing, holistic process of teaching, living, and reproducing the gospel. Stetzer suggests that churches need to view discipleship not only as an educational endeavor but also as a lifestyle that permeates all aspects of church life, from worship to community service. This holistic approach ensures that discipleship is integrated into the everyday rhythms of life, making it a natural outgrowth of the church’s mission.
Discipleship’s impact on church growth also extends to its influence on evangelism. As disciples are trained and matured, they are often the primary agents of evangelistic outreach. The biblical mandate for the church to make disciples (Matthew 28:19-20) underscores the dual nature of discipleship and evangelism, where the act of making disciples is both an internal process of spiritual growth and an outward call to spread the gospel. According to Smith (2011), churches that emphasize evangelistic discipleship have higher conversion rates because their members are actively engaging with the broader community. These members not only witness by word but also by their transformed lives, which serve as a compelling testimony to others.
In conclusion, discipleship plays a pivotal role in both the spiritual maturity of believers and the numerical growth of the church. As churches invest in discipleship, they are investing in the future of the church, ensuring that new believers are not only introduced to the faith but are also nurtured into mature, reproducing disciples who can reach others with the gospel. The biblical foundation for this process is clear, as Jesus’ command to “go and make disciples of all nations” (Matthew 28:19, NIV) serves as both a commission and a blueprint for church growth. Through intentional discipleship, churches can cultivate a community of believers who are equipped and motivated to carry out God’s mission, leading to both spiritual and numerical growth.
1.2. Statement of the Problem
The relationship between discipleship and church growth remains a significant area of concern and exploration within modern Christian ministry. While churches around the world recognize the importance of discipleship in fostering spiritual maturity, many struggle with how to effectively translate this discipleship into sustained, numerical, and spiritual growth within the congregation. The problem is multifaceted: churches often face challenges in developing and maintaining discipleship programs that are both deeply transformative and outwardly effective in attracting new believers. As a result, many congregations experience stagnation or decline, despite the presence of discipleship efforts. This gap between the ideal of discipleship and its actual impact on church growth warrants critical examination and thoughtful intervention.
One critical issue lies in the disparity between the spiritual depth cultivated through discipleship and the church’s ability to engage new believers. Many discipleship programs are inward-focused, designed primarily to nurture the faith of existing members rather than to reach out to the unchurched. This leads to a paradox where churches grow deeper but not necessarily larger, missing opportunities to evangelize and disciple the broader community. Furthermore, some discipleship programs focus heavily on doctrinal education, often overlooking the relational and missional dimensions that can lead to broader engagement. As such, while discipleship may lead to greater spiritual maturity among current church members, it is often insufficient in creating an environment conducive to evangelistic outreach or church growth.
Another challenge is the lack of effective strategies for discipleship integration into the broader life of the church. Discipleship should not be viewed merely as an isolated program or class but as a central, ongoing process that shapes every aspect of church life. However, many churches struggle with embedding discipleship into worship services, community activities, and service projects. Without a holistic discipleship culture, the church may fail to effectively engage its members in both personal growth and outreach efforts. The lack of seamless integration between discipleship and other church activities may result in a failure to foster the kind of community that encourages multiplication—where existing believers are trained and empowered to disciple others, both inside and outside the church.
Additionally, church leaders often face the challenge of balancing discipleship efforts with the practical demands of growing a congregation. The pressure to produce immediate results, such as increased attendance or financial contributions, can divert attention away from the long-term, relational work of discipleship. This tension between short-term church growth metrics and the depth of discipleship can lead to the creation of shallow, programmatic solutions that do not cultivate true spiritual maturity or sustainable growth. This often results in churches that are numerically large but spiritually immature or disconnected from the mission of Christ. Consequently, many churches that prioritize discipleship find it difficult to see the fruits of their labor in terms of church growth, leaving them to question whether their efforts are truly effective.
Another significant challenge is the lack of trained leaders who are capable of leading discipleship efforts that foster both spiritual depth and evangelistic fruitfulness. While discipleship requires sound theological teaching, it also necessitates relational and leadership skills that many church leaders do not possess. Effective discipleship requires leaders who can mentor, encourage, and challenge others in their faith, but many churches are struggling to develop leaders with the necessary gifts and training to carry out this vision. As a result, churches often experience difficulties in sustaining or growing their discipleship programs, which in turn hinders overall church growth.
Finally, the broader societal and cultural context in which churches operate presents another obstacle to the successful integration of discipleship and church growth. In many regions, secularism, individualism, and apathy toward organized religion are on the rise. These cultural shifts make it increasingly difficult for churches to reach individuals who are open to discipleship or even consider church membership. Without effective discipleship models that engage with these cultural realities and offer a compelling vision of Christian community, churches may continue to struggle with both attracting new believers and retaining existing ones. Thus, the challenge of developing a discipleship model that both fosters deep spiritual growth and enables church growth in an increasingly secular world is a significant problem that needs to be addressed in order for the church to fulfill its mission effectively.
In summary, the problem of connecting discipleship with church growth is multifaceted and rooted in a number of organizational, cultural, and leadership challenges. Churches must reevaluate how discipleship is structured, integrated, and practiced within the broader context of church life to ensure that it leads to not only spiritual maturity but also to the effective evangelism and multiplication of believers. Until this gap between discipleship and church growth is effectively addressed, many churches will continue to face the challenge of maintaining vitality and expanding their impact in the world.
1.3. Aim and Objectives of the Study
The aim of the study is to examine the impact of Discipleship on Church Growth. The specific objectives are:
- To assess the state of discipleship practices within Christ Apostolic Church.
- To analyze the relationship between discipleship efforts and church growth within the church.
- To identify any challenges or barriers to effective discipleship within the church community.
- To explore potential strategies for enhancing discipleship programs to promote church growth.
1.4. Research Questions
The research questions are buttressed below:
- What is the current state of discipleship practices within Christ Apostolic Church?
- What is the relationship between discipleship efforts and church growth within the church?
- What are the challenges or barriers to effective discipleship within the church community?
- What potential strategies can be explored for enhancing discipleship programs to promote church growth?
1.5 Research Hypothesis
The hypothetical statement of the study is buttressed below:
Ho: There is no significant relationship between discipleship efforts and church growth within the Church.
H1: There is significant relationship between discipleship efforts and church growth within the Church.
1.6. Significance of the Study
This study on the impact of discipleship on church growth, focusing specifically on Christ Apostolic Church, Oke Agbara, Ikotun, holds significant importance for both academic research and practical ministry. First, it contributes to the growing body of knowledge regarding the relationship between discipleship and church growth, offering insights into how local churches can improve their discipleship efforts to foster spiritual maturity and numerical growth. Discipleship is often viewed as a foundational element of Christian faith and practice; however, the practical application of discipleship in driving sustainable church growth remains underexplored, particularly within the context of Nigerian churches. By focusing on a local congregation, this study can provide valuable data and analysis that will inform not only the church in question but also the broader Nigerian church context.
Secondly, this study holds significant practical value for church leaders and ministry practitioners, especially those involved in planning and executing discipleship programs. Many churches, including Christ Apostolic Church, Oke Agbara, Ikotun, may have discipleship programs in place but may not fully understand how these programs contribute to the church’s overall growth. This study aims to bridge this knowledge gap by identifying the key factors that make discipleship effective in fostering both personal spiritual development and collective church growth. Church leaders will be able to evaluate the current state of discipleship within their own congregations and make informed decisions on how to tailor their programs to be more mission-oriented and growth-driven.
Another significant contribution of this study is its potential to enhance the relationship between spiritual formation and evangelistic outreach. In the context of Nigeria, where Christianity is growing rapidly but also facing the challenges of secularization and cultural shifts, understanding how discipleship can directly impact evangelism is crucial. This research will explore how the process of disciple-making not only strengthens believers in their faith but also empowers them to reach out to the wider community. The results of this study could therefore provide valuable strategies for integrating discipleship with evangelistic efforts, allowing the church to not only grow internally but also expand its outreach to the unchurched in the surrounding communities.
The study also seeks to provide a framework for churches to assess the effectiveness of their discipleship models and identify areas of improvement. Often, discipleship programs in local churches are designed based on tradition or ad hoc methods without clear evaluation criteria. By focusing on Christ Apostolic Church, Oke Agbara, Ikotun, this study will examine the various discipleship strategies currently in use, assess their effectiveness, and suggest practical improvements. This will allow church leaders to rethink or modify their approaches, ensuring that their discipleship efforts are aligned with the overall mission of the church, which is to make disciples who not only grow in their faith but also contribute to the expansion of the kingdom of God.
In addition, this study will address a critical gap in literature by providing empirical data on the specific ways in which discipleship affects church growth within the context of a Nigerian Pentecostal church. While there has been significant research on church growth in Western contexts, fewer studies have focused on African Pentecostal churches, especially in the rapidly developing urban centers like Lagos. By examining Christ Apostolic Church, Oke Agbara, Ikotun, this research provides a unique perspective on how discipleship can be contextualized and applied in the Nigerian setting. This contribution is particularly relevant for scholars and practitioners who are interested in the dynamics of African Christianity and its growth trajectory.
Furthermore, this study is significant because it aligns with the biblical mandate given to the church by Jesus Christ to make disciples of all nations (Matthew 28:19). The study’s focus on Christ Apostolic Church, Oke Agbara, Ikotun, offers an opportunity to reflect on how well the church is fulfilling this mandate in the local context. By exploring the relationship between discipleship and church growth, the study aims to highlight areas where the church can better fulfill its mission, thus contributing to the broader goal of advancing God’s kingdom. In the process, the study will not only benefit the church under examination but also serve as a model for other churches seeking to strengthen their discipleship programs in order to experience greater spiritual and numerical growth. Through these efforts, the study ultimately seeks to encourage the church to stay faithful to its commission, impacting both the spiritual and social fabric of its surrounding community.
1.7. Scope of the Study
The study examines the impact of Discipleship on Church Growth – A Study of Christ Apostolic Church, Oke Agbara, Ikotun.
1.8. Operational Definition of Terms
Impact: The term “impact” refers to the strong effect or influence that one element or phenomenon has on another. In the context of this study, the impact of discipleship on church growth refers to how the practice and process of discipleship—teaching, nurturing, and equipping believers—affects the spiritual and numerical growth of a church. The impact can be both qualitative (transformational change in the lives of individual believers) and quantitative (the increase in the number of people attending, joining, or being active in the church). Analyzing the impact of discipleship helps determine whether and how this process contributes to the health and expansion of the church community.
Discipleship: Discipleship is the process by which individuals are mentored, nurtured, and trained in the teachings of Jesus Christ to become committed followers, or disciples. It involves personal spiritual growth, obedience to God’s Word, and the formation of Christlike character. Discipleship is not just about education but includes active participation in the mission of the church, which is to make more disciples (Matthew 28:19-20). It typically involves teaching, modeling, accountability, and equipping believers to live out their faith in daily life. In the broader Christian context, discipleship encompasses both personal spiritual formation and the corporate growth of the church as a community of believers.
Church Growth: Church growth refers to the increase in the number of individuals who participate in the life of the church, whether through conversion, membership, or active involvement in church programs and activities. It can be understood in both numerical and spiritual terms: numerical growth refers to the physical increase in the size of the congregation, while spiritual growth refers to the deepening of faith, maturity, and discipleship within the congregation. Church growth often involves evangelism, outreach, and the development of ministries that encourage believers to mature and share the gospel with others. For churches, effective church growth strategies focus on building both a solid foundation of discipleship and a vibrant outreach to the surrounding community, leading to a flourishing church in both spiritual depth and size.
Project – The impact of Discipleship on Church Growth – A Study of Christ Apostolic Church, Oke Agbara, Ikotun.
