The Impacts of the Proliferation of Churches on the Socio-Cultural Development and Economy of Nigeria

Abstract

This paper examined the history and spread of Christianity in Nigeria, the 
factors responsible for the proliferation of churches in Nigeria, and its impact 
on the socio-cultural development and economy of Nigeria. The theory adapted 
was church growth theory formulated by Donald McGavran, which investigates 
the planting, multiplication, function, and health of the churches as they relate 
to God’s great commission to make disciples of all nations as in Matthew 28:19-
20. The study used a quantitative research design. Self-administered 
questionnaire of 40 copies was used for data collection. The findings revealed 
that the impacts were both positive and negative. The positive impacts of church 
proliferation apart from the spreading of the gospel as commanded by Jesus 
Christ in Matthew 28:19-20 include education from nursery to tertiary levels 
(90%), job creation (82.5%) health (80%), spiritual solution and healings (80%) 
and religious transformation (75%) among others. The findings also through 
respondents identified some negative impacts being made by church 
proliferation which include: commercialization of the gospel (82.5%), lowquality Christian teaching (75%), denominational undue competition (85%), low moral standard of people (72.5%) and family disintegration (70%). In 
controlling the proliferation, the majority of respondents strongly agreed that 
the government should enforce discipline on misbehaved ministers (82.5%). 
Gospel ministers to preach more on holiness (80%), Christian bodies like CAN and PFN should checkmate their members (80%) and ready Christian leaders 
and ministers should be helped (75%). In conclusion, the positive impacts of the 
proliferation of churches have been adding value and good growth to the socio-cultural and economy of Nigeria while the negative impacts have been counselling great pain to the society in Nigeria. Therefore, efforts should be 
made to control the negative impact both by the government and Christian 
bodies like CAN and PFN, refocusing ministers to pure teaching and preaching 
of holiness messages instead of the gospel of prosperity.