MAIN TRENDS IN THE CHURCH GROWTH IN NIGERIA

Abstract

The paper discusses the main trends in history of church growth and development in Nigeria. The methodology adopted is historical approach. The history of church growth and development in Nigeria is divided into five periods namely: the period of introducing Latin Christianity in the 15th and 16th Centuries; the period of Denominationalism and missionary activities in the 19th Century from 1842 onward; the period of evolution of independent Churches; the period of indigenous African Churches; and the period of the birth of Charismatic and Pentecostal Churches. It is established in the paper that church growth led to numerical strength of churches as seen in the proliferation of churches in Nigeria. It is observed that the dramatic rise of charismatic and Pentecostal movement led to the emergence of new churches and evangelical groups. The work suggested the establishment of more churches and the practice of ethical and moral teachings of the Bible. It concludes by recommending that church growth and development should not be based on orthodoxy but orthopraxis in order to change African society for better.