the Place of Parenting on the Health of the Church: A Case Study of Mountain of Fire and Miracles Ministries,13 Olasimbo Street, Sabo, Yaba, Lagos State
Chapter One
Objective of the study
The following objectives will be ascertained;
- To examine the current level of parental knowledge, skills, and available resources related to nurturing children’s spiritual development within the church context in Mountain of Fire and Miracles Ministries
- To explore the impact of shifting societal dynamics and secular influences on parental engagement and transmission of religious beliefs and practices to their children in Mountain of Fire and Miracles Ministries.
- To investigate the role modeling behaviors of parents within the church community and their influence on children’s religious commitment and involvement.
- To assess the level of parental involvement in church leadership positions and its impact on the overall health and functioning of the congregation in Mountain of Fire and Miracles Ministries.
CHAPTER TWO
REVIEWED OF RELATED LITERATURE
THE CONCEPT OF CHRISTIAN PARENTING
Christian parenting in particular is the kind of parenting that proceeds from the foundation of scriptures. From what Brewster (2005) writes, “True holistic development can only be done by Christians or church” (2005:14), Christian parenting is the parenting process that promotes holistic development of children. This concept is supported by Brewster’s idea that “Christians are the only people who understand the nature of sin, of God’s intention for his people and His creation, in which children also belong and the power of the gospel to bring substantial holistic healing of the whole person” (2005:74). This means Christian parenting should seek to bring up children in a totality of life. Christian family according to Bunge (2001) is an ecclesial (or churchly) entity wherein adults and children rehearse for membership in the kingdom of heaven, so strong moral teachings about the virtues and responsibilities of parenthood are invested in the scriptures for powerful significance on children. This view on the concept of Christian parenting raises a number of questions which will be of interest to researcher in this study. Efforts will be made to establish if the Christian parents faithfully teach the children the biblical foundations of life in this archdeaconry.
Adraes ( 2006) noted that a proper approach to parenting needs to leave adequate room for the relational component in parenting. He further adds that,
“Christian parenting should be undergirded by wisdom derived from meditation on Scripture, the filing of the Holy Spirit, advice from others (this is where quality literature on parenting can be very helpful if it is balanced and based on biblical principles), and relational experience with the child.”
This distinguishes Christian parenting from the secular parenting. And so, the biblical foundational teachings, the Christian virtues and values must characterize every Christian family that seeks to practice Christian parenting, comments James (0ctomber 1990)
CHALLENGES FACING CHRISTIAN PARENTS PRACTICING CHRISTIAN PARENTING
According to Donna (1992), “sexuality is one of the greatest challenges Christian children and parents face.” He argues that Christian parents find it hard to explain sex education to their children. So, Christian seeks all ways of doing it in their own way. Thus their sexuality challenges the social moral life and development (1992:48). Besides the challenge of sexuality, sexual abuse is a great challenge in Christian homes writes Heggen (1993). Heggen continues that this is a profound challenge, since, some parents find it difficult to handle the victims, and the victims suffer psychological problemsConflicts within Christian homes, especially among the children is also big challenge to Christian parents says Donna (1992:72). He made a critical analysis among Christian homes, and realized that conflicts within Christian homes greatly challenge the parents to develop the social behaviors of their children. He emphatically writes that “children conflicts with their parents due to the Christian traditions that they cannot embrace.” He continues that Christian parents today are challenged to think about how to raise the children so that they can deal with conflict in ways that won’t make them either “Rambos” or backstabbers (1992:72).
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 SAMPLING SIZE
The population for the study will consist of executives and their subordinates in the organization which is charged with the application of management by objectives to attain organizational goals in the organization.
This study was carried out on the place of parenting on the health of the church: a case study of mountain of fire and miracles ministries. Hence, the population of this study comprises of the members of mountain of fire and miracle ministries at 13 Olasimbo Street, Sabo, Yaba, Lagos state..
CHAPTER FOUR
DATA PRESENTATION AND ANALYSIS
INTRODUCTION
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 one hundred and twenty (120) questionnaires were administered to respondents of which one hundred and nine (109) were returned while one hundred (100) were validated. This was due to irregular, incomplete and inappropriate responses to some questionnaire. For this study a total of 100 was validated for the analysis.
CHAPTER FIVE
SUMMARY, CONCLUSIONS AND RECOMMENDATIONS:
Introduction
This chapter summarizes the findings on the Place Of Parenting On the Health Of the Church: a case study of Mountain of Fire and Miracles Ministries. The chapter consists of summary of the study, conclusions, and recommendations.
Summary of the Study
In this study, our focus was on the Place Of Parenting On the Health Of the Church: a case study of Mountain of Fire and Miracles Ministries as case study. The study is was specifically set to outline place of parenting on the health of church.
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 Mountain of Fire and Miracles Ministries.
Conclusion
In conclusion, the case study of the Mountain of Fire and Miracles Ministries highlights the indispensable role of parenting in the health of the church. Parental involvement in the spiritual upbringing of children fosters a strong and vibrant community that is committed to its values and beliefs. As churches continue to evolve and face new challenges, understanding the significance of parenting in shaping the next generation becomes even more critical for the continued growth and success of the church community.
Recommendation
Based on the case study of the Mountain of Fire and Miracles Ministries (MFM) and its impact on the health of the church, several recommendations can be made to enhance the role of parenting and foster a thriving church community:
- Parenting Seminars and Workshops: Organize regular parenting seminars and workshops within the church to educate parents on effective strategies for nurturing their children’s spiritual growth. These sessions can address topics such as age-appropriate religious instruction, communication with children about faith, and building a strong spiritual foundation at home.
- Parenting Support Groups: Establish support groups for parents within the church where they can share experiences, exchange ideas, and provide emotional support. These groups can facilitate peer-to-peer learning and create a sense of community among parents, leading to more effective parenting practices.
- Empowering Parents as Spiritual Mentors: Encourage parents to take an active role in the discipleship and mentoring of their children. Provide resources and guidance to help parents understand their vital role as spiritual mentors, helping them navigate challenges and opportunities that arise in the process.
- Youth and Children’s Programs: Strengthen youth and children’s programs within the church to ensure they are engaging, relevant, and supportive of the spiritual growth of young members. Collaborate with parents to align these programs with the values and teachings emphasized in their homes.
- Parent-Child Activities: Organize events and activities that encourage meaningful interactions between parents and their children. Such activities could include family prayer meetings, Bible study sessions, community service projects, and recreational outings that foster spiritual bonding.
References
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- Barbara M. Newman, Philip R. Jewman (2012). Development through life: A Psychosocial Approach. USA; Wadsworth Publishers.
- Breidi Caparatta (2008). The Challenges of Christian Youth. Yahoo Contributor Network, Jun 26, 2008.
- Carolyn , Heggen (1993). Sexual Abuse in Christian Homes and Churches. Scottdale: Herald Press
- Donna Sinckair (1992).Christian parenting: Raising children in the Real World. Winfield, Canada: Westminister Press
- Dawn E. Mcrae (2009). A Survey of Christian Parenting Beliefs among Church Leadership. A Dissertation,(Doctor of Philosophy, Regent University) March 11, 2009.
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