A Strategy to increase weekly attendance meetings in Douala III District West Cameroon Mission

Abstract

The decline in church attendance during weekly meetings in Douala III district is alarming. Some observers after reflection before conducting the project have gone to the extent of shutting the doors on Wednesday and Friday based on the fact of the lost of interest of some members towards those services. In the selected churches where the problem was at stake, out of a total of 100 members only 15 to 20 were regular to weekly meetings, making an average of 20%. In the case of CCC/SOCARTO church, out of a total of 90 members only 40 were regularly attending such meetings, making a rate of 45%. At the end of the research, BEEDI saw the number of members attending weekly arose to 55% and in CCC/SOCARTO from 45% to 75%. The surveys indicate that some were not coming because of lack of sound and good programs, the church was engaged in monotony and routines, and no time was allotted for prayers, testimonies, and praises. The evaluation indicates that if members are constantly well thought, educated, and trained and if the service is conducted in a relevant way so as to meet the needs of the brethren, the number of attendances will increase and the members more devoted to one another and committed to the Lord. The study was concluded by making some relevant recommendations both to the selected churches and the mission administration. In the world of constant changes and confronted to social and human crises, the church programs need to be adjusted to fit the interest of people that lead them to salvation.