The Role of Church Leadership in Numerical Church Growth :a case study of Northmead Assembly of God and Bread of Life Church International in Zambia

Abstract

This study was an attempt to find out, understand and describe the role of church leadership in numerical church growth of North mead Assembly of God and Bread of Life Church International. The study was carried out as a case study of the two churches. [h~ools or instruments employed to procure qualitative data were personal interviews and questionnaire, Internet, and library resources. The researcher conducted the interviews, participated in church services and collected the completed questionnai~ Northmead Assembly of God and Bread of Life Church International are among the known growing churches in Zambia whose church attendances run to thousands. The churches are popular and appear to be enjoying growth partly because of the TV programs that they are running on the National Television.ee findings revealed that the two churches are experiencing numerical growth due to the leaders' participation in church ministries, the sound preaching of the word, expressive and open worship coupled with good music and the evangelism programs promoted in the churches~The leaders' role in church growth is indispensable as long as the leaders remain committed to their calling. However, it was discovered that the moment the leaders slip into sinful lifestyle, exhibiting bad example or conduct and cease to become available for ministry, church growth is hampered. The observed roles of church leaders in numerical church growth, in this study, can be applied in any setting of the church and growth is likely to occur.