Impact of Pastoral Leadership Styles on Church Planting in the Redeemed Christian Church of God, Osun Province 9, Ede, Osun State, Nigeria

Abstract

Leadership is important for any organization as it is necessary for direction
and how the organization arrives at her desired destination is dependent
on the pattern or style(s) adopted. This study therefore examined the
impact of pastoral leadership styles on church planting strategies in the
Redeemed Christian Church of God (RCCG), Osun Province-9, Ede. By
examining the impact of leadership styles and on church planting
strategies, the study aimed to provide insights into improving church
planting and community engagement in RCCG Osun Province-9.
Understanding these dynamics was deemed crucial for enhancing
leadership practices to better serve the needs of growing congregations in
developing regions. Descriptive survey research design was employed, with
a population of 500 pastors, church workers, and members involved in
church planting within RCCG Osun Province-9. A sample of 100
respondents was selected using stratified random sampling to ensure
diverse representation across various leadership roles and church sizes.
Data were collected through structured questionnaires, divided into
sections addressing demographics, leadership styles, church planting
strategies, and the relationship between leadership approaches and church
growth. The reliability of the instrument was confirmed with a Cronbach
Alpha coefficient of 0.75, indicating strong internal consistency. The
findings revealed that servant leadership, visionary leadership, community
outreach and empowerment cumulated into successful church planting
outcomes. However, a lack of structured outreach programs and
insufficient focus on digital platforms hindered the success of church
planting strategies. These findings underscored the need for a more
strategic and holistic approach to leadership and community engagement
in church planting efforts. In conclusion, the study highlighted the
importance of adopting servant and visionary leadership styles to foste sustainable church planting efforts. It is recommended that RCCG pastors enhance their leadership training to embrace servant leadership style,
prioritize community outreach, and embrace digital tools to improve church planting success.