Abstract:
The purpose of this research was to explore the perception of the middle aged
Christian husbands (between the age of 35 to 55) on the effectiveness of the Christian
Husbands' Fellowship (Ushirika wa Wanaume Wakristo) at African Inland church,
Bomani, Machakos in providing their spiritual nurture. ; The data were collected
through six interviews through which the researcher himself was the primary
instrument. I prepared semi-structured interview questions (Appendix B & C). I
interviewed six husbands whose church membership at AIC Bomani was more than
five years. I finally analyzed the data I collected.
Middle aged Christian husbands at AIC Bomani expressed their desire to know
God, to know God's Word, to serve God, to worship God, to grow in their Christian
faith, to care for their young families and to obey God. The Christian Husbands'
Fellowship at AIC Bomani was expected to reach all husbands who were members of
the local church and provide them with their spiritual nurture. However, a few
husbands had turned up to join the Fellowship since it was formed seven years ago.
The researcher discovered that CHF is effective to some degree and not effective to
some degree in providing spiritual nurture to middle aged Christian husbands at AIC
Bomani.
Christian Husbands' Fellowship, according to the findings of the study seemed to
include some middle-aged husbands in the church and exclude others in providing
spiritual nurture. The prominent element that seemed to divide the efficiency of CHF
was singing. The middle aged husbands at AIC Bomani who are not members of CHF
perceived singing to be the significant programmatic element that 'defined' the group.
At the same time middle aged husbands whose membership in CHF is active seemed
to be comfortable with singing. Emphasis on singing, therefore, seemed to be an
element that needs to be balanced in the whole program.
God expects Christian husbands to be provided with spiritual nurture. He inspired
several people to write the Scripture so that men could be taught. Men, especially
husbands, are responsible members of their community. They are husbands, fathers,
and religious or political leaders in their community. The significant role they play in
society requires Christian teaching to enable them live and serve in the manner worthy
of their calling. CHF in its endeavor of providing spiritual nurture to middle aged
Christian husbands is challenged to develop a comprehensive program that would
encompass various programmatic elements to be able to provide the spiritual nurture
of middle aged Christian husbands at AIC Bomani.
