EFFECT OF PASTORAL WORK ON THE SELF-CONCEPT OF PASTORS’ ADOLESCENT CHILDREN

Abstract

The influence of spiritual leaders is greatly determined by how well they run their families, which eventually influences self-concept of their adolescent children. For this reason this study was designed to examine the effect of pastoral work on the selfconcept of pastors’ adolescent children in the New Testament Church of God. The study was guided by the main objective of exploring the effect of pastoral work on the self-concept of pastors’ adolescent children in the New Testament Church of God. Specific objectives of the study were, to determining the influence of pastors’ family functioning, pastors’ commitment to his work, pastors’ parenting style to the selfconcept of pastors` adolescent children and to find out the congregation’s perception towards pastors’ adolescent children and how this affects the pastors` adolescent children`s self-concept. To achieve these objectives, the study adopted a descriptive research design that is attributed to its broad application in planning, monitoring, and evaluating policies to gather data from 128 respondents of New Testament Church of God congregants. Questionnaires and interviews were the key study instruments that were used to collect primary data. The analysis of the quantitative data was limited to descriptive statistics using statistical package for social science (SPSS) version 23. The quantitative analysis data was presented in tables and charts while qualitative data was presented through narration. The findings revealed positive and significant correlations between family functioning, pastors’ work commitment, parenting styles and self-concept of pastors’ adolescent children. Regression analysis confirmed positive and significant effect at p ≤ 0.05 of parenting styles, family functioning, but not for work commitment on pastors’ children self-concept. The study recommends for further research from a larger population and sample size. There is also need for a similar study that should include different denominations and/or religions so as to do a comparison between them. This study contributed to better understanding of work and family balance by parenting pastors` and church elders for the general good of their families and church organization.