Project – The Impact of Expository Preaching on Church Growth

CHAPTER ONE

INTRODUCTION

1.1 Background to the Study

Preaching remains one of the central responsibilities of the Christian ministry and a primary means through which the message of the Gospel is communicated to believers and non-believers alike. Among the various styles of preaching, expository preaching has gained increasing recognition for its depth, faithfulness to Scripture, and ability to foster spiritual growth within the church. Expository preaching involves the systematic explanation and application of biblical texts, where the main idea of the sermon is derived directly from the Scripture being expounded (Robinson, 2014). This method emphasizes clarity, context, and theological accuracy, distinguishing it from topical or narrative preaching styles.

Historically, expository preaching has been a defining feature of vibrant and growing churches. The early Church, as seen in the teachings of the apostles, particularly in the book of Acts, relied heavily on the exposition of Scripture to instruct and edify believers. For instance, Acts 2:42 highlights how believers devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching, which was essentially expository in nature. Similarly, during the Protestant Reformation, reformers such as Martin Luther and John Calvin emphasized the importance of returning to Scripture through expository preaching, which contributed significantly to church renewal and growth (Stott, 2005).

In contemporary Christianity, especially in urban centers like Lagos State, Nigeria, churches are experiencing rapid expansion, diversification, and competition. Many churches adopt various strategies to attract and retain members, including prosperity preaching, motivational speaking, and entertainment-driven services. While these approaches may lead to numerical growth, questions have been raised about their impact on spiritual maturity and doctrinal soundness. In contrast, expository preaching is believed to promote not only numerical growth but also qualitative growth, such as increased biblical literacy, spiritual discipline, and moral transformation among church members (Chapell, 2005).

Church growth itself is a multifaceted concept that includes both quantitative and qualitative dimensions. Quantitative growth refers to an increase in church membership, attendance, and expansion of church branches, while qualitative growth involves the spiritual development, commitment, and maturity of believers (Wagner, 1990). A growing body of literature suggests that preaching plays a significant role in both aspects of church growth. Sound biblical teaching can strengthen faith, encourage evangelism, and foster a sense of community among believers.

In the Nigerian context, particularly in Lagos State, churches operate in a highly dynamic and competitive religious environment. Lagos, being a commercial hub, attracts diverse populations with varying spiritual needs and expectations. As a result, church leaders often experiment with different preaching styles to appeal to their congregations. However, the effectiveness of expository preaching in this context remains underexplored. While some pastors advocate for its transformative power, others perceive it as too rigid or less engaging compared to contemporary preaching styles.

Furthermore, the rise of Pentecostal and Charismatic movements in Nigeria has influenced preaching patterns, often emphasizing prophecy, miracles, and prosperity messages. While these elements are not inherently negative, their dominance has sometimes overshadowed systematic biblical teaching. This raises critical questions about the long-term impact of such trends on church growth and spiritual development.

Empirical studies have shown that churches that prioritize biblical teaching and doctrinal soundness tend to experience sustainable growth. For example, Dever (2012) argues that expository preaching builds strong churches by grounding believers in Scripture and equipping them for ministry. Similarly, Keller (2015) notes that faithful preaching contributes to both evangelism and discipleship, thereby fostering holistic church growth.

Despite these insights, there is a need for localized studies that examine the relationship between expository preaching and church growth within specific contexts. This study, therefore, focuses on five selected churches in Lagos State to investigate how expository preaching influences both numerical and spiritual growth. By doing so, it seeks to bridge the gap between theory and practice and provide practical recommendations for church leaders.

1.2 Statement of the Problem

In recent years, many churches in Lagos State have experienced significant numerical growth; however, this growth has not always been accompanied by corresponding spiritual maturity among members. Issues such as shallow biblical understanding, doctrinal confusion, and inconsistent Christian living have been observed in some congregations. This raises concerns about the effectiveness of the preaching methods employed in these churches.

While various preaching styles are used, there appears to be a growing preference for topical and motivational sermons that focus on immediate needs such as prosperity, success, and personal breakthroughs. Although these messages may attract large audiences, they often lack the depth and consistency needed to nurture long-term spiritual growth. Consequently, many believers remain spiritually immature and lack a solid foundation in biblical teachings.

Expository preaching, which emphasizes the systematic teaching of Scripture, has been identified by many scholars and theologians as a means of fostering both spiritual maturity and sustainable church growth. However, despite its recognized importance, it is not widely practiced in many contemporary churches in Lagos State. Some pastors perceive it as time-consuming, less entertaining, or unsuitable for modern congregations.

Moreover, there is limited empirical research examining the direct impact of expository preaching on church growth within the Nigerian context. Most existing studies are based on Western contexts, which may not fully reflect the realities of churches in Lagos State. This creates a gap in knowledge that this study seeks to address.

Therefore, the problem of this study is to determine whether expository preaching significantly influences church growth—both quantitatively and qualitatively—in selected churches in Lagos State. It also seeks to understand the extent to which this preaching method contributes to the spiritual development of church members.

1.3 Objectives of the Study

The main objective of this study is to examine the impact of expository preaching on church growth in selected churches in Lagos State.

The specific objectives are to:

1. Examine the nature and practice of expository preaching in the selected churches.
2. Determine the effect of expository preaching on numerical church growth.
3. Assess the influence of expository preaching on the spiritual maturity of church members.
4. Identify challenges associated with the use of expository preaching in contemporary churches.

1.4 Research Questions

1. What is the nature of expository preaching practiced in the selected churches?
2. How does expository preaching influence numerical church growth?
3. What impact does expository preaching have on the spiritual maturity of members?
4. What challenges are associated with expository preaching in Lagos State churches?

1.5 Research Hypothesis

H₀: There is no significant relationship between expository preaching and church growth in selected churches in Lagos State.

H₁: There is a significant relationship between expository preaching and church growth in selected churches in Lagos State.

1.6 Significance of the Study

This study is significant in several ways:

• To pastors and church leaders: It provides insight into the effectiveness of expository preaching as a tool for church growth and spiritual development.
• To theological students and institutions: It contributes to academic discourse on homiletics and practical theology.
• To church members: It enhances understanding of the importance of sound biblical teaching in spiritual growth.
• To researchers: It serves as a reference for future studies on preaching and church growth, especially within the Nigerian context.

1.7 Scope of the Study

This study focuses on the impact of expository preaching on church growth in five selected churches in Lagos State. It examines both numerical growth (attendance and membership) and qualitative growth (spiritual maturity and biblical understanding). The study is limited to selected churches and may not be generalized to all churches in Nigeria.

1.8 Operational Definition of Terms

• Expository Preaching: A method of preaching that involves the systematic explanation and application of a biblical text.
• Church Growth: The increase in the number of church members (quantitative) and the spiritual development of believers (qualitative).
• Spiritual Maturity: The level of a believer’s growth in faith, knowledge of Scripture, and Christian conduct.
• Numerical Growth: Increase in church attendance and membership.
• Qualitative Growth: Improvement in the spiritual lives and commitment of church members.

Project – The Impact of Expository Preaching on Church Growth