Project – The Theology of Mission and Evangelism in the Anglican Church: An Assessment of Its Impact on Church Growth in Selected Dioceses in Nigeria

CHAPTER ONE

INTRODUCTION

1.1 Background to the Study

Mission and evangelism constitute the foundational responsibilities of the Christian Church and represent the Church’s commitment to proclaiming the gospel, making disciples, and extending the Kingdom of God throughout the world. From the biblical perspective, mission originates from the nature and purpose of God Himself, who seeks the redemption and restoration of humanity. The Great Commission given by Jesus Christ in Matthew 28:18–20 commands His followers to go into all nations, make disciples, baptize believers, and teach obedience to His commandments. This mandate has remained central to Christian identity and has shaped the missionary activities of churches throughout history. Bosch (2011) argues that Christian mission is not merely an activity of the Church but an expression of God’s own mission (missio Dei) through which the Church participates in God’s redemptive purpose in the world.

Theologically, mission refers to the comprehensive task of the Church in proclaiming the gospel, demonstrating God’s love, promoting justice, and participating in human transformation. Evangelism, as a major component of mission, specifically involves the communication of the good news of Jesus Christ with the aim of leading individuals and communities toward faith and discipleship. According to Newbigin (2010), evangelism is the proclamation of the historical reality of Jesus Christ as Lord and Saviour, inviting people to become members of the community of faith. Thus, mission and evangelism are interconnected concepts through which the Church fulfils its divine calling.

Throughout Christian history, evangelism has been a major instrument for church expansion and spiritual renewal. The early Church experienced rapid growth because of the commitment of believers to preaching, discipleship, and missionary engagement (Acts 2:41–47). The apostles demonstrated that effective evangelism involves not only verbal proclamation but also the creation of communities characterized by fellowship, service, and spiritual transformation. Wright (2010) emphasizes that biblical mission involves the Church’s participation in God’s plan to restore creation through the proclamation and demonstration of the gospel.

The Anglican Church has historically placed strong emphasis on mission and evangelism as essential aspects of its identity and ministry. Emerging from the English Reformation in the sixteenth century, Anglicanism developed a missionary tradition that combined biblical teaching, sacramental worship, education, social engagement, and pastoral ministry. The Anglican understanding of mission recognizes the Church as an instrument through which God’s grace is communicated to individuals and societies. McGrath (2013) explains that Anglican theology emphasizes the relationship between Scripture, tradition, reason, and practical Christian witness, providing a theological foundation for missionary engagement.

The Anglican missionary movement expanded globally through missionary societies, particularly during the nineteenth century. In Africa, Anglican missionaries played significant roles in evangelization, education, healthcare development, and social transformation. In Nigeria, Anglican missionary activities began in the nineteenth century through the efforts of organizations such as the Church Missionary Society (CMS). Walls (2017) notes that African Christianity was significantly shaped by missionary movements, indigenous leadership, and the ability of African churches to adapt Christian teachings within local cultural contexts.

The growth of the Anglican Church in Nigeria reflects the historical significance of mission and evangelism. From its early missionary beginnings, Anglicanism developed into one of the largest Christian traditions in Nigeria, establishing dioceses, theological institutions, schools, and social development programmes. The Church of Nigeria (Anglican Communion) has continued to expand through evangelistic campaigns, church planting, discipleship programmes, and missionary dioceses. Asadu (2023) observes that the Church of Nigeria has experienced remarkable institutional growth while simultaneously facing challenges related to mission strategy, leadership development, and maintaining theological identity within Nigeria’s changing religious environment.

Nigeria represents one of the most religiously dynamic societies in Africa, with Christianity experiencing significant growth over the past decades. However, church growth cannot be measured only by numerical increase but also by spiritual maturity, discipleship effectiveness, community transformation, and sustainable Christian witness. Wagner (2010) argues that genuine church growth involves both quantitative growth, reflected in increasing membership, and qualitative growth, demonstrated through spiritual development and effective ministry. Therefore, examining the theology and practice of mission and evangelism requires attention not only to church expansion but also to the processes that produce meaningful spiritual communities.

Within the Anglican Church in Nigeria, mission and evangelism have been expressed through various strategies, including parish evangelism, missionary dioceses, youth ministries, women’s ministries, outreach programmes, and social development initiatives. These approaches seek to reach new populations while strengthening existing congregations. However, changing social realities, urbanization, technological advancement, religious competition, and cultural transformation have created new challenges for traditional missionary approaches. Guder (2015) argues that contemporary churches must rediscover their missionary identity by moving beyond institutional maintenance toward active participation in God’s mission within society.

The theology underlying mission and evangelism significantly influences the effectiveness of church growth strategies. A strong theological understanding of mission helps the Church develop clear goals, appropriate methods, and sustainable approaches to evangelistic engagement. Bosch (2011) maintains that missionary effectiveness depends on understanding mission as participation in God’s work rather than simply increasing institutional membership. Where mission is reduced to numerical expansion without theological depth, churches may experience growth without genuine discipleship and spiritual transformation.

The Nigerian Anglican context presents both opportunities and challenges for mission and evangelism. On one hand, the Church benefits from a strong historical foundation, extensive diocesan structures, trained clergy, and established missionary traditions. On the other hand, it faces challenges such as declining participation among some traditional congregations, competition from rapidly expanding Pentecostal churches, changing youth attitudes, and questions regarding the relevance of traditional evangelistic approaches. According to Jenkins (2011), Christianity in Africa continues to experience significant growth, but churches must continually evaluate their mission approaches to remain effective in changing contexts.

Selected dioceses of the Anglican Church in Nigeria provide important contexts for assessing the relationship between mission theology, evangelistic practices, and church growth. Different dioceses operate within diverse social, cultural, and economic environments, making it necessary to examine how missionary understanding influences their evangelistic effectiveness and congregational development. A theological assessment of mission and evangelism can reveal whether existing approaches adequately support sustainable church growth.

Although the Anglican Church in Nigeria has experienced considerable expansion, questions remain concerning the extent to which its theology of mission and evangelism contributes to contemporary church growth. While some dioceses have recorded significant numerical increase and missionary activities, others face challenges in attracting new members, retaining young people, and strengthening discipleship. This situation creates the need for systematic investigation into the theological foundations, practical expressions, and outcomes of Anglican mission and evangelism.

Therefore, this study seeks to assess the theology of mission and evangelism in the Anglican Church and examine its impact on church growth in selected dioceses in Nigeria. The study will explore how missionary understanding, evangelistic practices, and theological commitments contribute to the numerical, spiritual, and organizational growth of Anglican congregations.

1.2 Statement of the Problem

The Anglican Church in Nigeria has a long-standing missionary heritage rooted in biblical evangelism, discipleship, and social transformation. Through the establishment of dioceses, parishes, schools, and missionary programmes, the Church has contributed significantly to the spread of Christianity and community development. However, despite this historical contribution, questions remain concerning the effectiveness of its contemporary mission and evangelism strategies in promoting sustainable church growth.

One major problem is the apparent difference between the historical missionary strength of Anglicanism and the current challenges faced by some Anglican congregations. While certain dioceses continue to experience growth, others struggle with declining membership participation, limited evangelistic impact, and difficulties engaging younger generations. This raises concerns about whether existing theological understandings and practical approaches to mission and evangelism adequately address contemporary realities.

Another challenge concerns the relationship between numerical church growth and authentic spiritual development. Some churches may experience increased membership without corresponding growth in discipleship, Christian commitment, and community transformation. Wagner (2010) emphasizes that effective church growth requires attention to both numerical expansion and spiritual maturity. Therefore, there is a need to examine whether Anglican evangelistic practices produce lasting spiritual outcomes among congregants.

Furthermore, the emergence and rapid expansion of Pentecostal and independent churches in Nigeria have created new competitive dynamics within the Christian landscape. Many Pentecostal movements emphasize aggressive evangelism, personal testimonies, small groups, and contemporary communication methods. These developments have challenged traditional denominations, including Anglicanism, to evaluate their missionary strategies and consider ways of improving evangelistic effectiveness.

A further problem relates to the theological understanding guiding mission activities within Anglican dioceses. Mission programmes that lack clear theological foundations may become focused mainly on institutional expansion rather than participation in God’s mission. Bosch (2011) warns that churches must avoid reducing mission to organizational growth while neglecting the deeper purposes of gospel transformation, justice, and discipleship.

Additionally, limited empirical studies have examined the connection between Anglican mission theology, evangelistic practices, and church growth outcomes in Nigeria. Existing studies often focus on general church growth, missionary history, or denominational development without specifically assessing how theological perspectives on mission influence practical evangelistic effectiveness.

Consequently, this study seeks to address this gap by assessing the theology of mission and evangelism in the Anglican Church and examining its impact on church growth in selected dioceses in Nigeria. The study intends to provide insights that can assist Anglican leaders, clergy, and church administrators in strengthening missionary strategies for sustainable congregational development.

1.3 Aim of the Study

The main aim of this study is to assess the theology of mission and evangelism in the Anglican Church and examine its impact on church growth in selected dioceses in Nigeria.

1.4 Objectives of the Study

The specific objectives are to:

1. Examine the theological understanding of mission and evangelism among Anglican clergy and members in selected dioceses in Nigeria.
2. Assess the influence of evangelistic practices on numerical growth of Anglican congregations.
3. Determine the relationship between mission-oriented programmes and spiritual growth among Anglican believers.
4. Identify challenges affecting effective mission and evangelism in promoting church growth within Anglican dioceses in Nigeria.

1.5 Research Questions

The study seeks to answer the following questions:

1. What is the theological understanding of mission and evangelism among Anglican clergy and members in selected dioceses in Nigeria?
2. How do evangelistic practices influence numerical growth of Anglican congregations?
3. What relationship exists between mission-oriented programmes and spiritual growth among Anglican believers?
4. What challenges affect effective mission and evangelism in promoting church growth within Anglican dioceses in Nigeria?

1.6 Research Hypothesis

H₀: Theology of mission and evangelism has no significant influence on church growth in selected Anglican dioceses in Nigeria.

1.7 Significance of the Study

This study will be significant to Anglican Church leaders, bishops, priests, and missionary organizations by providing insight into how theological understanding and evangelistic practices influence church growth. The findings may assist church authorities in developing effective mission strategies.

The study will contribute to theological scholarship by expanding knowledge on mission theology, evangelism, and ecclesiology within the Nigerian Anglican context. It will also provide useful material for theological institutions, researchers, and students interested in practical theology and church development.

Furthermore, the findings may assist Anglican congregations in evaluating their evangelistic activities and strengthening approaches that promote both numerical growth and spiritual maturity.

1.8 Scope of the Study

The study focuses on the theology of mission and evangelism in the Anglican Church and its impact on church growth in selected dioceses in Nigeria. It examines mission theology, evangelistic practices, discipleship activities, membership development, and congregational growth.

The study is limited to selected dioceses of the Church of Nigeria (Anglican Communion).

1.9 Definition of Terms

Mission: The participation of the Church in God’s redemptive purpose through proclamation, service, and transformation.

Evangelism: The communication of the gospel of Jesus Christ with the purpose of leading individuals toward faith and discipleship.

Mission Theology: The theological understanding and interpretation of the purpose, nature, and activities of Christian mission.

Church Growth: The process of numerical, spiritual, and organizational development of Christian congregations.

Anglican Church: A worldwide Christian communion characterized by biblical teaching, episcopal leadership, liturgical worship, and sacramental tradition.

Project – The Theology of Mission and Evangelism in the Anglican Church: An Assessment of Its Impact on Church Growth in Selected Dioceses in Nigeria