Project – The Influence of Small-Group Fellowship Participation on Members’ Sense of Belonging: A Study of Selected Pentecostal Churches in Aba, Abia State

CHAPTER ONE

INTRODUCTION

1.1 Background to the Study

The Christian faith is fundamentally communal, with fellowship among believers forming an important part of Christian identity and practice. The New Testament presents the early Christian community as one characterised by teaching, fellowship, breaking of bread and prayer, indicating that Christian discipleship was not intended to be experienced solely as an individual spiritual activity (Acts 2:42–47). Fellowship provides opportunities for believers to develop interpersonal relationships, encourage one another, share experiences and participate in the life of the Christian community. Within contemporary Christianity, this communal dimension is expressed through congregational worship, Bible study groups, prayer meetings, house fellowships, cell groups and other forms of small-group interaction. The importance of such relational structures is particularly evident in large congregations where it may be difficult for every member to develop meaningful relationships with other worshippers. Dougherty and Whitehead (2011), in their study of religious congregations, found that participation in small groups was associated with a greater sense of belonging, more frequent attendance and stronger congregational participation. This suggests that small-group fellowship can provide an important relational environment through which members experience connection with the wider church community.

Small-group fellowship refers to organised gatherings in which a relatively small number of church members meet regularly for prayer, Bible study, worship, discussion, mutual encouragement and other forms of Christian interaction. Unlike large congregational services, small groups create an environment in which members can participate more directly and develop closer interpersonal relationships. The smaller setting can make it easier for individuals to communicate personal concerns, ask questions, receive spiritual encouragement and establish relationships with other believers. Eastman (2016), in a theological study specifically examining the sense of belonging in sermon-based small groups, treated small groups as an important setting for understanding the relationship between Christian community and belonging. Similarly, Dougherty and Whitehead (2011) found that members involved in prayer, discussion and Bible-study small groups reported greater feelings of belonging within their congregations. These findings are important because a member may attend a large worship service regularly without necessarily developing meaningful interpersonal relationships. Small-group participation can potentially bridge this relational gap by creating a more intimate social environment in which members become known by name, interact regularly and receive support from fellow believers.

The concept of a sense of belonging is particularly important in understanding members’ experiences within religious communities. A sense of belonging may be understood as the subjective feeling that one is accepted, valued, recognised and meaningfully connected to a particular group or community. In a church context, belonging may be reflected in members’ feelings that they are welcomed, cared for, included in activities, able to form friendships and regarded as genuine members of the congregation. Church-based relationships can therefore provide social and emotional resources that extend beyond formal worship. Krause and Hayward (2013) found that church-based social support was associated with a sense of belonging within congregations, demonstrating the relevance of interpersonal relationships to congregational attachment. Similarly, Le, Holt, Hosack, and Cooper (2016), using longitudinal data, found that active religious participation was associated with increases in religious social support, illustrating the role of faith communities as important social networks. These findings suggest that belonging is not merely a matter of formal church membership but can be strengthened through repeated interpersonal interactions and supportive relationships within the faith community.

Small-group fellowship may be particularly relevant to Pentecostal Christianity because Pentecostal churches frequently emphasise active participation, prayer, discipleship, evangelism, spiritual gifts and close relationships among believers. In many Pentecostal congregations, small groups operate under different names, including house fellowship, home cell, satellite fellowship, care group, life group and ministry fellowship. Such groups can function as extensions of the larger congregation by creating smaller relational units where members interact more frequently. Recent Nigerian research on Pentecostal house fellowships indicates that small-group meetings can provide settings for deeper interpersonal relationships, spiritual mentorship, member retention and active participation in church activities (Enegho & Ashumate, 2025). The importance of small-group structures can also be observed in the development of Nigerian Pentecostalism, where different fellowship structures have been used to create networks of participation and belonging within rapidly expanding congregations (Adesoji, 2017). Thus, small-group fellowship is not simply an administrative arrangement but may serve as an important mechanism through which Pentecostal churches attempt to maintain relational connections among members.

The Nigerian Pentecostal context provides a particularly important setting for examining small-group fellowship and belonging because Pentecostal Christianity has developed into a significant religious and social phenomenon. Pentecostal churches in Nigeria vary considerably in size, structure and organisational practice, with many congregations combining large corporate worship with smaller fellowship structures. Adesoji (2017) observes that the growth and proliferation of Nigerian Pentecostal organisations have created different forms of affiliation and belonging, demonstrating that belonging within Pentecostalism can involve more than attendance at formal worship services. In a large Pentecostal congregation, the size of the Sunday congregation may make sustained interaction between individual members difficult. Small-group fellowship may therefore provide an avenue through which members experience a more personal form of church community. In addition, church-based social support can provide emotional and spiritual resources that reinforce members’ connection to the congregation (Krause et al., 2001). Consequently, examining participation in small groups may help explain why some members develop stronger feelings of acceptance, recognition and attachment to their churches than others.

The relevance of small-group fellowship is also evident in the Nigerian church environment, where house and cell fellowships are commonly used as structures for discipleship, pastoral care, prayer and member engagement. A recent study of Pentecostal house caring fellowships in RCCG and Living Faith Church in Jalingo found that small-group meetings created opportunities for closer relationships, spiritual mentorship, social support and active engagement in church activities (Enegho & Ashumate, 2025). The study also identified leadership style, community support and the organisation of fellowship programmes as factors that can affect the effectiveness of house fellowships. Such findings indicate that the existence of a small-group structure alone may not automatically create belonging; the quality and regularity of interaction within the group may also matter. Members who regularly participate may have greater opportunities to develop friendships, receive support and contribute to group activities, while members who rarely participate may have fewer opportunities to develop these relational connections. This makes participation an important variable for empirical investigation rather than simply assuming that membership in a church automatically produces a strong sense of belonging.

Aba, Abia State, provides a relevant context for investigating this issue because it is an important urban centre with a substantial Christian and Pentecostal presence. Pentecostal churches in urban Nigerian communities often attract people from different family, occupational, educational and socioeconomic backgrounds, creating congregations in which members may have limited pre-existing relationships with one another. Within such settings, small-group fellowship may provide a structured mechanism for developing interpersonal relationships and integrating members into the life of the congregation. The broader Nigerian Pentecostal experience demonstrates the importance of networks and forms of affiliation in shaping belonging among worshippers (Adesoji, 2017). Evidence from international congregational research also indicates that members who participate in small groups tend to report stronger feelings of belonging and greater involvement in congregational life (Dougherty & Whitehead, 2011). Furthermore, recent Nigerian evidence on Pentecostal house fellowships suggests that small-group structures can encourage interpersonal relationships, spiritual support and member engagement (Enegho & Ashumate, 2025). Despite these indications, there remains a need for location-specific empirical evidence on whether participation in small-group fellowship is actually associated with members’ sense of belonging within Pentecostal churches in Aba. It is against this background that the present study investigates the influence of small-group fellowship participation on members’ sense of belonging in selected Pentecostal churches in Aba, Abia State.

1.2 Statement of the Problem

Despite the widespread use of small-group fellowships in Pentecostal churches, participation in these groups may not be equally strong among all church members. Some members may participate regularly in house fellowships, cell meetings or other small-group activities, while others may attend only the main congregational services. The difference in participation raises an important question concerning whether regular involvement in small-group fellowship contributes to a stronger sense of belonging within the church. Dougherty and Whitehead (2011) found that participation in small groups was associated with greater belonging and congregational participation, but their evidence was drawn from congregations in the United States. Consequently, the extent to which similar patterns occur among members of Pentecostal churches in the Nigerian context cannot simply be assumed. The Nigerian Pentecostal environment has its own organisational, cultural and religious characteristics, including strong emphasis on prayer, discipleship, spiritual relationships and community networks (Adesoji, 2017). There is therefore a need to investigate empirically whether members of selected Pentecostal churches in Aba who participate in small-group fellowships experience stronger feelings of acceptance, connection and inclusion than those whose participation is limited.

A second problem concerns the possibility of weak interpersonal relationships within large Pentecostal congregations. As churches grow, the increasing number of worshippers may make it difficult for individual members to establish meaningful relationships with pastors and fellow members. A person may attend weekly worship services, listen to sermons and participate in corporate prayer without having a close relationship with other members of the congregation. Small-group fellowship is often intended to address this challenge by creating smaller settings where members can interact more personally. Krause et al. (2001) demonstrated that church-based social support involves emotional and spiritual support from members and pastoral figures, while Krause and Hayward (2013) linked church-based support with a sense of belonging. However, if small groups are poorly organised, irregularly attended or dominated by only a few individuals, their potential to provide meaningful social support may be reduced. This creates a practical problem for Pentecostal churches seeking to use small groups as instruments of member integration and pastoral care.

Another problem relates to the limited empirical attention given specifically to the relationship between participation in small-group fellowship and sense of belonging among Pentecostal church members in southeastern Nigeria. Existing studies have examined small groups in relation to congregational participation, church growth, social support, discipleship and spiritual development. Dougherty and Whitehead (2011), for example, established an association between small-group involvement and belonging, while Le et al. (2016) demonstrated that religious participation can be associated with increased religious social support. In Nigeria, Adesoji (2017) examined belonging within the broader Pentecostal movement, while Enegho and Ashumate (2025) examined the role of Pentecostal house fellowships in church growth and member engagement. Nevertheless, these studies do not specifically establish the extent to which the frequency of small-group participation, level of involvement and interaction within fellowship groups relate to members’ sense of belonging in selected Pentecostal churches in Aba. This represents a contextual and empirical gap that the present study seeks to address.

The practical concern is that if members do not develop a strong sense of belonging within their churches, their participation in congregational life may become more limited, particularly where they lack meaningful relationships and social support. Conversely, if small-group fellowship creates opportunities for members to know one another, share experiences, receive encouragement and participate actively, it may strengthen their connection to the church. Recent evidence from Nigerian Pentecostal house fellowships suggests that small groups can create intimate environments for interpersonal relationships, mentorship, support and active engagement (Enegho & Ashumate, 2025). However, the existence of such programmes does not by itself establish that members in Aba experience stronger belonging because of their participation. The problem, therefore, is the absence of sufficient empirical evidence from selected Pentecostal churches in Aba concerning whether and to what extent participation in small-group fellowship is associated with members’ sense of belonging. This study is consequently designed to examine the influence of small-group fellowship participation on members’ sense of belonging in selected Pentecostal churches in Aba, Abia State.

1.3 Purpose of the Study

The main purpose of this study is to examine the influence of small-group fellowship participation on members’ sense of belonging in selected Pentecostal churches in Aba, Abia State.

Specifically, the study seeks to:

1. determine the level of members’ participation in small-group fellowship in selected Pentecostal churches in Aba, Abia State;
2. assess the level of sense of belonging among members of selected Pentecostal churches in Aba, Abia State;
3. examine the relationship between frequency of small-group fellowship participation and members’ sense of belonging; and
4. determine the relationship between members’ level of involvement in small-group fellowship activities and their sense of belonging in selected Pentecostal churches in Aba, Abia State.

1.4 Research Questions

The following research questions will guide the study:

1. What is the level of members’ participation in small-group fellowship in selected Pentecostal churches in Aba, Abia State?
2. What is the level of sense of belonging among members of selected Pentecostal churches in Aba, Abia State?
3. What relationship exists between frequency of small-group fellowship participation and members’ sense of belonging?
4. What relationship exists between members’ level of involvement in small-group fellowship activities and their sense of belonging in selected Pentecostal churches in Aba, Abia State?

1.5 Research Hypothesis

The following null hypothesis will be tested at the 0.05 level of significance:

H₀: There is no significant relationship between small-group fellowship participation and members’ sense of belonging in selected Pentecostal churches in Aba, Abia State.

1.6 Significance of the Study

The study will be significant to Pentecostal church leaders because it will provide empirical information on the relationship between small-group fellowship participation and members’ sense of belonging. The findings may help pastors and church administrators evaluate whether existing house fellowship, cell-group or small-group structures are effectively helping members develop meaningful relationships within the church.

The study will also be useful to small-group leaders and fellowship coordinators. It may provide information about the importance of regular participation, interpersonal interaction, mutual support and active involvement in group activities. The findings may encourage fellowship leaders to create environments in which members feel accepted, valued and able to participate meaningfully.

Church members may also benefit from the study because it will highlight the potential relational value of participating in small-group fellowship. Understanding the relationship between participation and belonging may encourage members to become more actively involved in fellowship activities and develop supportive relationships with other believers.

The study will be useful to Pentecostal denominations and Christian ministry organisations by providing evidence that may inform the design and administration of small-group ministry programmes. It may assist church authorities in developing strategies for member integration, discipleship, pastoral care and congregational participation.

The study will also contribute to academic knowledge in religious studies, practical theology and church administration. It will provide location-specific evidence from Aba, Abia State, and may serve as a reference for future researchers examining small-group ministry, church membership, social support, congregational participation and belonging.

1.7 Scope of the Study

The study focuses on the influence of small-group fellowship participation on members’ sense of belonging in selected Pentecostal churches in Aba, Abia State.

Content Scope: The study will focus on small-group fellowship participation and members’ sense of belonging. Small-group fellowship participation will be examined through indicators such as frequency of attendance, regularity of participation, involvement in discussions, participation in prayer and Bible study, contribution to group activities and interaction with other members. Sense of belonging will be examined through indicators such as feeling accepted, feeling valued, interpersonal connection, inclusion in church activities, friendship with other members and perceived support from fellow church members.

Geographical Scope: The study will be conducted in selected Pentecostal churches located in Aba, Abia State, Nigeria.

Population Scope: The study will focus on adult members of the selected Pentecostal churches who are eligible to participate in the research and have sufficient experience with the churches’ fellowship structures to provide relevant responses.

Subject Scope: The study is concerned primarily with small-group fellowship participation and members’ sense of belonging. It will not attempt to examine every aspect of Pentecostal church administration, spiritual growth, financial giving, church growth or pastoral leadership except where such issues have direct relevance to the variables under investigation.

1.8 Operational Definition of Terms

Small-Group Fellowship: A structured gathering of a relatively small number of church members who meet regularly for activities such as prayer, Bible study, worship, discussion, mutual encouragement, discipleship and interpersonal fellowship.

Small-Group Fellowship Participation: The extent to which a church member attends, contributes to and actively engages in the activities and relationships of a church’s small-group fellowship.

Frequency of Participation: How often a church member attends or takes part in scheduled small-group fellowship meetings within a specified period.

Level of Involvement: The degree to which a member actively participates in discussions, prayer, Bible study, group activities, service and other activities within the small group.

Sense of Belonging: A member’s subjective feeling of being accepted, valued, recognised, included and meaningfully connected to the church community.

Church Membership: The status of being formally or informally recognised as a participant and member of a particular Christian congregation.

Pentecostal Church: A Christian congregation belonging to the Pentecostal tradition, generally characterised by emphasis on the work of the Holy Spirit, spiritual gifts, prayer, evangelism, personal conversion and experiential Christian faith.

Fellowship: The sharing of Christian life, relationships, worship, encouragement and mutual support among believers.

Social Support: Emotional, spiritual, informational or practical assistance received from other people within a social or religious community.

Member Engagement: The extent to which church members actively participate in worship, fellowship, ministry, service and other congregational activities.

Aba: An urban centre in Abia State, southeastern Nigeria, within which the selected Pentecostal churches covered by this study are located.

Project – The Influence of Small-Group Fellowship Participation on Members’ Sense of Belonging: A Study of Selected Pentecostal Churches in Aba, Abia State