Self-Improvement as A Means of Growing the Church and Securing The Future by Prof. Njenga Munene J. the Vice Chancellor Zetech University
In any fair organization all people have a join fate. When the organization is doing well, the welfare of all improves and the opposite is also true. It is my hope that the PCEA church does not behave like some organizations where if the bottom line improves, the owners expand the swimming pool instead of improving workers’ salaries and benefits.
Unlike Catholic fathers and nuns, in our church, ministers of either gender marry. So, the earnings they get is required for home upkeep, school fees, investments and preparation for the retirement. Thus, growing the ability of church members to give more is a sustainable way of improving salaries of church staff. The church leadership therefore must address capacity of the priests to grow and empower their membership in each congregation. It starts here!
Let us begin by asking some basic questions
- Is the membership of the church growing?
- Are the economically empowered young people staying or leaving our church?
- Why would economically empowered young people leave our church to other churches? Are there things to learn?
- What changes do we need to make to attract more members and retain the ones there?
- Can we face the brutal facts that some priests grow their congregations while others make them shrink?
- What can we learn from priests who grow their congregations?
- What can we learn from priests that make their congregations shrink?
Pentecostal churches are experiencing fast growth due to their nature of worship, appeal to the young people and the focus on wealth and social support.
Are there lessons we can learn without losing our core?
The world has become totally dynamic in knowledge. It is important to ask Why would Gen Z and Gen Alpha come to church? What are their concerns?
Gen Z has a wide range of concerns, encompassing personal, social, and global issues. They are particularly focused on mental health, economic stability, and climate change. Additionally, they are actively engaged in social movements and activism, particularly those related to social justice and equality.
- Mental Health:
Gen Z are highly concerned about mental health, with many reporting anxiety and depression. They are more likely than previous generations to seek help for mental health issues and are open to discussing them. Mental health is a leading concern, with many facing challenges related to stress, anxiety, and depression.
- Economic Stability
Rising inflation, debts, and the high cost of living are major financial concerns for Gen Z. They are increasingly worried about their financial futures and the challenges of entering the workforce.
- Climate Change:
Gen Z are deeply concerned about climate change and its potential impacts, with many advocating for greater action. They are actively involved in environmental activism and are more likely to make conscious choices to reduce their environmental impact
- Social Justice
Gen Z are highly involved in social movements and activism, particularly those related to justice and equality. They are actively engaged in discussions about systemic inequalities and are pushing for social change
- Violence
Gen Z are concerned about police violence and actively advocate for stricter laws against police violence. They are increasingly engaged in activism and advocacy to reduce violence and the emasculation of their rights.
- Work-Life Balance
Gen Z prioritizes work life balance and seeks jobs that offer flexibility and autonomy. They are less likely to view work as central to their identity and are more focused on finding a healthy balance between work and personal life.
In addition to these specific concerns, Gen Z are also grappling with issues like the rise of social media, technology addiction, and the challenges of navigating a complex and rapidly changing world.
This generation will question the value of the church if it does not address their concern and become sensitive to their ever-changing world. Let us remember that knowledge is doubling every two years. It is expected to double every 24 hours with the advent of Artificial Intelligence. Reading Daniel 12:4 in part “…when people will rush here and there, and knowledge will increase.”
How are we supposed to be perceived by people we serve in the church? Is it important?
I have gone to cathedrals in Europe that are empty. We do not want empty churches.
In a nutshell what should be our policy
- Evangelize and bring people to God
- Ensure the growth of the church
- Have a fair compensation to currently serving staff
- Ensure secure retirement for staff
My proposal:
- Up-skill the church leadership to know how the current messaging can connect with youth
- Do surveys to know why our members are going to other denominations.
- Do surveys on why some of our Reverends are very successful in growing congregations and others kill them.
- Improve congregation, parish, presbytery and HQ investments
- Develop a robust system to empower staff during working life
- Have a robust retirement package that pays special attention to health insurance
- Encourage early settlement of staff to enable them have social capital that is key during retirement.
Since we serve Genz’s and soon they will take over the church as we all retire, we need to study and be taught:
1) Psychology- Wilhelm Wundt and Sigmund Freud wrote their Psychology when teachers taught and students learned. Today students can easily be ahead of the teacher
2) Communication especially as it relates to social media.
3) Conflict management especially with ‘group think’; which is very common in online social groups.
4) Financial management and planning at the individual and corporate level. How to invest when working and planning for exit.
Conclusion
As the people in-charge you are quality leaders who require analytical skills, energy, committed to heart, motivation, endurance, cohesiveness, flexibility, learning and unlearning, honesty and trustworthiness, avoiding too many contradictions. Keep the church clean manage personal life dilemmas with clarity. Be each other’s keeper.
The Lord bless us all.
Prof. Njenga Munene J
Vice Chancellor
Zetech University