Papers by SAMWEL MUGUNA HENRY
The trajectory of Pentecostalism has been a subject of scholarly debate albeit without consensus.... more The trajectory of Pentecostalism has been a subject of scholarly debate albeit without consensus. While some scholars report significant expansion, others document substantial barriers. To reconcile these perspectives, the present study aimed to conduct an in-depth analysis of the risk and protective factors affecting church growth with Pentecostal churches in Kenya in perspective. This study adopted a qualitative research design, utilizing in-depth interviews to explore church growth risk and protective factors. The target population consisted of Pentecostal church leaders, members, and theological scholars with direct experience in church governance and growth dynamics. A purposive sampling technique was employed to select 20 members of the clergy with significant leadership experience and first-hand knowledge of church operations. Data collection was conducted through semi-structured, in-depth interviews. All interviews were recorded and transcribed verbatim for thematic analysis. The study identified key factors influencing both numerical and spiritual church growth, including evangelism and outreach, record-keeping, training and discipleship, church expansion, ethical leadership, organizational commitment, and role specialization. Evangelism and outreach were central, with structured follow-up enhancing retention, while accurate record-keeping ensured accountability. Training programs fostered spiritual growth, and new branches improved accessibility. Ethical leadership-built trust, and a shared mission promoted unity and engagement. Operational specialization further increased efficiency. However, challenges such as weak leadership, internal conflicts, and financial constraints hindered progress, limiting ministry activities and infrastructure development. To sustain growth, church leaders should prioritize structured evangelism, follow-up mechanisms, and revival meetings. Given that most Pentecostal churches struggle to outgrow their smallness, a future study should specifically focus on how leadership affect financial growth, and to what extent financial constraint is attributable to the leadership of the church.
International Journal of Multidisciplinary Research and Analysis, 2025
Shared values is acknowledged as the glue that holds an organization together and lays the founda... more Shared values is acknowledged as the glue that holds an organization together and lays the foundation for its growth. However, despite the recognized significance of shared values, many Pentecostal churches face challenges in embedding these values within their leadership structures, which can hinder growth and long-term sustainability. This study sought to explore the role of shared values in driving church growth within Pentecostal churches in Kenya, investigating how these values shape leadership, organizational dynamics, and congregational engagement. The study adopted an embedded mixed-methods research design. The target population from the 47 counties of Kenya was 42,209 church leaders comprising of 2,828 bishops; 11,633 reverends; and 27,748 pastors of selected Pentecostal churches across different regions in Kenya. Employing purposive sampling, five counties (10%) of the total counties in Kenya were selected. From the five counties, 371 bishops, 1793 reverends, and 5462 pastors totaling to 7626 respondents were selected. Based on the five counties, the sample size was 380 participants including key informants. Data was collected using a structured questionnaire and key informant interviews. Quantitative data was examined using descriptive statistics, correlation analysis, and multiple regression model while qualitative data was subjected to thematic analysis. A high rating of shared values was observed (M=4.46, SD = 0.705), suggesting that majority of the churches were united by their shared values. Correlation analysis revealed a small but statistically significant positive correlation between shared values and church growth (r = .216, p < .01). Regression results showed that a unit increase in shared values was associated with 0.273 increase in church growth. The quantitative results were corroborated with qualitative insights whereby participants emphasized that shared values are fundamental to church growth, as they serve as the foundation for unity and a collective sense of purpose. Conclusion was drawn that shared values have a small yet meaningful effect on church growth. Pentecostal churches can stimulate growth by embracing core values, cultivating a culture of respect, teamwork, and mutual support. Their involvement in church initiatives and commitment to collaborative efforts will directly influence the congregation's overall progress. Future studies should expand the predictors of church growth by examining additional factors like strategic leadership, execution strategy, and environmental constraints.
African Journal of Emerging Issues, 2025
Purpose of the study: The purpose of the study was to empirically assess the influence of humilit... more Purpose of the study: The purpose of the study was to empirically assess the influence of humility on the growth of selected Pentecostal churches in Kenya.
International Journal of Research and Innovation in Social Science (IJRISS), 2025
Team leadership represents a departure from traditional hierarchical structures, which are increa... more Team leadership represents a departure from traditional hierarchical structures, which are increasingly viewed as ineffective in modern organizations across both secular and private sectors. The study aimed to explore how the selected team leadership dimensions differentially fostered growth in Pentecostal churches in Kenya. The investigation proceeded through the lenses of The Hill Model for Team Leadership. The study employed correlation research design. The target population for this study comprises 42,209 clergy members, specifically 2,828 bishops, 11,633 reverends, and 27,748 pastors, from Pentecostal churches across Kenya. A simple random sample of 380 participants was drawn. Structured questionnaire was administered using drop-and-pick method. Data was summarised using mean and standard deviation while inferences were drawn using correlation and regression analysis techniques. Results showed that team leadership dimensions collectively explained 19.4% of the variance in church growth, with a significant F-value (15.144, p < 0.01). Among the individual predictors, humility and collaborative climate had significant positive effects on church growth, while shared values, team competence, and integrity were not significant. Conclusions were drawn that collaborative climate is the most crucial factor in promoting church growth. Further, church leaders who demonstrate humility are better positioned to build strong relationships and inspire growth within their congregations. In light of the outcome of this study, bishops should prioritize the cultivation of a collaborative climate within their regions. Pastors should also focus on developing their humility as a core leadership trait.
International Journal of Multidisciplinary Research and Analysis (IJMRA), 2025
Pentecostal churches in Kenya principally function within a team-oriented leadership model, where... more Pentecostal churches in Kenya principally function within a team-oriented leadership model, where the capabilities of leaders and their teams play a crucial role in the church's growth and sustainability. This study aimed at determining the relationship between team competence and the growth of selected Pentecostal churches in Kenya. A descriptive-correlational survey design was employed. The study targeted 7,626 clergy members from selected Pentecostal churches in five counties: Meru, Tharaka-Nithi, Laikipia, Embu, and Nyeri. Stratified random sampling technique was used to distribute questionnaires to respondents, attracting 321 participants. Data analysis was conducted using mean and standard deviation scores, alongside correlation and regression techniques in SPSS. Findings indicated a moderate yet statistically significant positive correlation between team competence and church growth (r = .279, p < .01). Regression analysis further confirmed that team competence is a significant predictor of church growth, F(1, 318) = 26.94, p < .01, accounting for 7.8% of the variance (R² = .078). These results highlight that team competence is not merely beneficial but essential for the continued expansion of Pentecostal churches in Kenya. The study underscores the importance of cultivating a competent leadership culture as a strategic imperative for ensuring long-term church growth and sustainability.
IJRP 2025, 169(1), 118-127, 2025
Pentecostal churches have experienced significant growth, yet they have also faced internal divis... more Pentecostal churches have experienced significant growth, yet they have also faced internal divisions, leadership conflicts, and denominational fragmentation. In Kenya, disputes over leadership succession, doctrinal differences, and competition for congregants have often contributed to stunted church growth. This study aimed to provide qualitative insights into collaborative climate as church growth mechanism among Pentecostal churches in Kenya. The study was inspired by collaborative leadership theory. The study employed phenomenological approach. The target population for the study comprised bishops and reverends from Pentecostal churches in Kenya. The study used purposive sampling, selecting 20 key informants based on their leadership positions and direct involvement in church growth strategies. The study utilized key informant interviews with semi-structured interview guides as the primary data collection instrument. The study employed thematic analysis to process and interpret the interview data. Collaborative climate manifested under four overarching themes: inter-denominational partnerships, attitudes towards collaboration, workgroup support, and organizational culture. Collaborative climate was found to be a significant driver of church growth, highlighting the importance of fostering teamwork, partnerships, and a supportive environment. Key elements such as inter-denominational cooperation, workgroup support, mutuality, and a strong organizational culture were identified as enablers of this climate. As people who are at the helm of policy making in churches, it is recommended that Bishops prioritize the development of a collaborative climate and promote humility as key team leadership dimensions within the church.
Moderating Effect of Organizational Structure on the Relationship between Team Leadership and Growth of Pentecostal Churches in Kenya, 2025
Organizational structure, a fundamental aspect of organizational behavior, has undergone signific... more Organizational structure, a fundamental aspect of organizational behavior, has undergone significant evolution since the Industrial Revolution, continually adapting to modern needs. Flattened organizational structures, which emphasize team-oriented leadership, facilitate faster communication and decision-making processes. The interaction between team leadership and organizational structure is thus pivotal in making sense of the growth challenges Pentecostal churches face today. This study sought to clarify the extent to which organizational structure influences the effectiveness of team leadership for realizing growth of Pentecostal churches in Kenya. The study adopted a cross-sectional research design. The target population was 7,626 leaders comprising of bishops, reverends, and pastors. Questionnaires were successfully administered to 318 participants. Data was analysed using moderated regression analysis in SPSS. Results showed that organizational structure had a statistically significant main effect on church growth (β=.682, p=.000) but its moderating effect was insignificant (β=-.090, p>.05).
International journal of organizational leadership, Nov 15, 2022
The purpose of this paper is to provide a review of the literature on authentic leadership and so... more The purpose of this paper is to provide a review of the literature on authentic leadership and societal transformation. The paper presents authentic leadership as the key player in the transformation of society. Society has suffered due to many financial and moral scandals, corruption, nepotism, leadership that has no place for followers, and lack of transparency. The paper proposes a new theoretical model to show how the newly discovered constructs interconnect and relate to one another. The methodology employed in this article is the review of extant conceptual, theoretical, and empirical literature to build a case for a theoretical model that links up authentic leadership and societal transformation to cause a change in society. The study identifies five main constructs that positively relate to one another and can provide the required leadership for societal transformation. The five constructs include authentic leadership, trigger events, developmental readiness, core positive psychological resources, and societal transformation. The findings showed that authentic leadership has positive effects on societal transformation. The mediation role of the core positive psychological resources variable is discussed. In addition, the moderating role of developmental readiness is discussed. This study will be important in providing knowledge in regard to the effect of authentic leadership on societal transformation. Finally, the recommendation for future empirical studies is given.
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Papers by SAMWEL MUGUNA HENRY