Impact of Churches on the Economy of Nigeria (a Case Study of Select Churches in Ikeja, Lagos)
CHAPTER ONE
Objectives Of Study
The general objective or main objective of this study is to examine the impact of Churches on the economy of Nigeria by using selected churches in Ikeja, Lagos, as a case study. The specific objectives are:
- To examine the roles of Christian church on economic development in Nigeria.
- To investigate the hindrances to the role of the church towards economic development in Nigeria.
- To understand various economic systems operated in Nigeria.
CHAPTER TWO
LITERATURE REVIEW
The Concept of Pentecostal Church Doctrine
A church is a group of people or persons called out or set apart, sanctified or redeemed from the shackles and sorrows of this evil world to serve God‘s purpose in any human society like ours with exemplary life worthy of the divine calling, in honest manifestation of other virtues like humility, patience, meekness, forgiveness, tolerance, unity, love, faithfulness, justice and truthfulness (Anozie, 2013).
It is both a theological travesty and also a human anachronism to see the Pentecostal church as a withdrawn community, unconcerned with the privations and problems of the contemporary society. Thus Ajayi (1965) asserted that social reform is implicit in the preaching of a new religion. Undoubtedly, certain elements within the church circles underplay the positive contributions of the church towards the economic development of nations. Such groups of people have encouraged the wrong notion that the church and the kingdom of God are synonymous with poverty, want and need, if you can excuse a conical play-on-words.
Can a kingdom succeed in poverty? If Jesus talked about the kingdom and talked about abundant life, it follows that the movement of which he was the originator must champion the crusade for economic development and social change. Whatever may be the historians’ rationale with regards to the reformation; it is an incontrovertible fact that without the economic and social deprivations of the German populace, Martin Luther’s appeal probably could not have stirred the German people. Of particular importance was his appeal to the German common people and the consequent peasant revolt. Germany was in need of economic change and they saw in Luther the one means of developing their economy and improving the social lot. This illustration tries to sensitize us to the particular stance of Christ that his mission was to improve the lot of men.
A Brief Background of the Christian Religion
The word Christianity was first used at Antioch in Syria where the disciples of Jesus were first called Christians, meaning the followers of Christ. According to Afolabi (2015), the origin and the basic beliefs of Christianity were stated in the Apostles Creed. It affirms that Jesus Christ is the son of God and God sent Him to the world to die for the redemption of mankind. The Christian population includes Roman Catholics who constitute the largest denomination of Christians in the country. Anglican, Methodist, Presbyterians, Baptists Lutherans. There is in Nigeria a growing number of evangelical and Pentecostal Ministries, Seventh Day Adventist, Jehovah’s witnesses’ and a host of other white garment churches (Agha, 2003).
CHAPTER THREE
RESEARCH METHODOLOGY
INTRODUCTION
In this chapter, we described the research procedure for this study. A research methodology is a research process adopted or employed to systematically and scientifically present the results of a study to the research audience viz. a vis, the study beneficiaries.
RESEARCH DESIGN
Research designs are perceived to be an overall strategy adopted by the researcher whereby different components of the study are integrated in a logical manner to effectively address a research problem. In this study, the researcher employed the survey research design. This is due to the nature of the study whereby the opinion and views of people are sampled. According to Singleton & Straits, (2009), Survey research can use quantitative research strategies (e.g., using questionnaires with numerically rated items), qualitative research strategies (e.g., using open-ended questions), or both strategies (i.e., mixed methods). As it is often used to describe and explore human behaviour, surveys are therefore frequently used in social and psychological research.
POPULATION OF THE STUDY
According to Udoyen (2019), a study population is a group of elements or individuals as the case may be, who share similar characteristics. These similar features can include location, gender, age, sex or specific interest. The emphasis on study population is that it constitute of individuals or elements that are homogeneous in description.
This study was carried out to examine Impact of churches in economic growth in Nigeria. Select churches in Ikeja, Lagos form the population of the study.
CHAPTER FOUR
DATA PRESENTATION AND ANALYSIS
This chapter presents the analysis of data derived through the questionnaire and key informant interview administered on the respondents in the study area. The analysis and interpretation were derived from the findings of the study. The data analysis depicts the simple frequency and percentage of the respondents as well as interpretation of the information gathered. A total of hundred and twenty (120) questionnaires were administered to respondents of which 100 were returned. The analysis of this study is based on the number returned.
The table above shows the gender distribution of respondents. 48% of the respondents were male and the remaining 52% were female. Thus, female respondents were slightly higher than their male counterparts.
CHAPTER FIVE
SUMMARY, CONCLUSIONS AND RECOMMENDATIONS:
Introduction
This chapter summarizes the findings on the Impact Of Churches On The Economy Of Nigeria, A Case Study Of Select Churches In Ikeja, Lagos. The chapter consists of summary of the study, conclusions, and recommendations.
Summary of the Study
In this study, our focus was on the Impact Of Churches On The Economy Of Nigeria, A Case Study Of Select Churches In Ikeja, Lagos. The study is was specifically focused on examining the roles of Christian church on economic development in Nigeria, investigating the hindrances to the role of the church towards economic development in Nigeria. and understanding various economic systems operated in Nigeria.
The study adopted the survey research design and randomly enrolled participants in the study. A total of 100 responses were validated from the enrolled participants where all respondent are staff and members of Select Churches In Ikeja, Lagos.
Conclusions
With respect to the analysis and the findings of this study, the following conclusions emerged;
From the findings of the study, it can be inferred that church has a very strong, significant and positive relationship with economic growth and development of Lagos thus Pentecostal church is at the center, and concern with the privations and problems of the contemporary society. The church contribution to economic growth in the State and indeed the Nigerian society has been invaluable, ranging from comprehensive education (both formal, informal and non- formal), of members on how to make their living. Also, the projects and establishments carried out by the Pentecostal church in the various locations and locality add taste to the area and is a source of economic growth and development. It is no doubt that churchmen and the church were not professors in economics, yet they applied practical economic system which had contributed immensely to the development of Lagos state and the country at large.
Recommendation
Based on the findings the researcher recommends that;
- Religion should be carried along in government policies to always inculcate moral principles; justice, truth; equity and honesty which is a reagent to personality change thereby reduce corruption and improve economy.
- Government should make use of the various organs like Council of Religious Groups (CRG) provided by different religions in the country to carry its message to the people. Moreover, proven and virtuous religious people should be used in the sensitive areas in political social and economic goals of national development to prevent constant failures of government well-conceived program.
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