Effect of Internal Team Environment on Church Growth in Pentecostal Churches in Kenya

Abstract

The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of internal team environment on church growth in Pentecostal Churches in Kenya. Empirical literature in this study provided the basis for the study gap. The philosophy that guided the study was pragmatism research philosophy, that leans towards dealing or solving practical issues in the real environment rather than focusing on procedures (Zukauskas et al., 2018). This philosophyputs researchers at liberty to choose appropriate procedures, techniques and processes with the understanding that integration of different research methods is critical in gaining deeper understanding of any given issue (Zukauskas et al., 2018; Creswell, 2014; Saunders, et al. 2012). Two theories: Shared Leadership Theory (Conger & Pearce, 2003) and Mead's Theory of Church Growth (1993) underpinned this study. The descriptive survey design targeted 1235 pastors and 1210 church elders in Pentecostal churches in, Kajiado, Machakos, NakuruMurang'a and Nairobi Counties under the umbrella of Evangelical Alliance of Kenya (EAK). Simple random, purposive and stratified sampling techniques were used. The research wascomprisedof 245 respondents. Itused convergent mixed method design approach withopen ended and closed ended questionnaires. Focus group discussion was also engagedfor the purpose of gathering qualitative data. Descriptive, correlation and multiple regression analysis used Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS) and STATA. The results revealed that internal team environment had significant relationship with church growth with a correlation co - efficient of 0.235, p< 0.05. Regression analysis results revealed that internal team environment significantly affected church growth in Pentecostal churches in Kenya. The inference of the outcomes was discussed and proper pastoral leadership practice recommended to enhance the work of Church leaders in Kenya.