An Examination of Factors Influencing Church Reproduction: A Case of Nairobi Chapel Association of Churches

Abstract

Self-reproduction of local churches can be attributed to the growth and expansion of God’s kingdom. Although church self-reproduction can be instrumental in fulfilling the Great Commission, many established churches do not self-reproduce by planting new congregations even after existing for a long time. This study investigated factors that influence the self-reproduction of churches in a case study within the Nairobi Chapel Association. The study focused on ten Nairobi Chapel churches in Nairobi. The qualitative research method and the purposive sampling technique guided the study. Twenty participants were interviewed from selected Nairobi Chapel churches; the group included pastors, members of the advisory teams, and congregation members in selected congregations. The data was collected by interviewing the selected participants. The data were analysed through thematic analysis. The research findings pointed to the centrality of leadership in training and encouraging the congregation to plant other churches. The findings also indicated the need to develop a model of church-self-reproduction that is easily replicable without overelying on financial input. In addition, the study findings revealed that for churches to self-reproduce, adopting a model that empowers and involves congregants of individual churches in starting new churches is of the essence.