A strategy of nurturing new members in Bamburi Great News Seventh-day Adventist Church, Kenya Coast Field

Abstract

For a pastor/leader, biblical discipleship means training and equipping people to become responsible Christians who follow Jesus and share the gospel with others. In the Bamburi Great News Church, which is Bamburi District of Kenya Coast Field in Kenya, the names of most of those attending services were not on the Church register, while the registered members were not attending Church program. The study investigated the reasons behind this and made recommendations for effective nurturing of Church members. Quantitative data was collected through the use of questionnaires administered on 200 members, only 148 out of these were returned. In addition, 12 people were interviewed for collection of useful qualitative information. Data analysis indicated a mere average level of new membership nurturing in the Church, with 60% of respondents agreeing to know a member who left the Church for a lack of good nurturing. The study also discovered a low level of involvement of Church members in Church programs.All those interviewed face to face agreed that the Sabbath School Discussion Groups should be used for monitoring of members and those absent should be subsequently followed up. About 75% of those interviewed also suggested the allocation of special mentors to new members, taking sex and age into consideration. In addition, 50% of the interviewees suggested home-based fellowship at mid-week, for those living within the same proximity; this will increase the participation of all members in mid-week prayer meetings. The study concluded that improved participation of all members in Church activities, which will encourage and result in increased Church members, may be achieved if members commit themselves to the Lords’ work.