The Seventh-Day Adventist Church and its Strategies to counter the Influence of New Religious Movements in Rangwe Church, Kenya

Abstract

The Seventh-day Adventist Church members were influenced to join New Religious Movements (NRMs) which had recent origin but were not part of Missionary churches that came from the Western World. Rangwe Seventh-day Adventist (SDA) Church faced the challenge of losing members every year as a result of the charismatic influence of these movements. After a serious study of the factors that led to the wide spread increase of these movements, the researcher developed a strategy that would counter the charismatic influence of NRMs in Rangwe SDA Church. The Bible, E. G. White sources, other Adventist and non-Adventist sources were also reviewed. One hundred and thirty-seven (137) Sabbath school members and one hundred and ninety-five (195) regular church members, both male and female adults of 26 and above years, and male and female youths of 17 to 25 years were visited and interviewed in their homes. Questionnaires were used to collect data on the influence of the NRMs. The results showed that a majority of the members were not equipped with the tools for spiritual growth. Some regular church members also continued to practice traditional beliefs and customs. The project was implemented to empower the church leadership for service to effectively guide church member. The project was evaluated after eleven months from its implementation and was found to have been successful. This study recommends therefore, that church leaders should develop a complete lifestyle for every area of the church and include strategies to counter the influence of NRMs by giving detailed prescriptions for the time scheduled, regular leadership training, and promotion techniques. Newly baptized members should be engaged in in-depth Bible study, discipleship, and nurture. This would help them become true Disciples of Christ.