The Impacts of the Proliferation of Churches on the Socio-Cultural Development and Economy of Nigeria

This paper examined the history and spread of Christianity in Nigeria, the factors responsible for the proliferation of churches in Nigeria, and its impact on the socio-cultural development and economy of Nigeria. The theory adapted was church growth theory formulated by Donald McGavran, which investigates the planting, multiplication, function, and health of the churches as they relate to God’s great commission to make disciples of all nations as in Matthew 28:19-20. The study used a quantitative research design. Self-administered questionnaire of 40 copies was used for data collection. The findings revealed that the impacts were both positive and negative. The positive impacts of church proliferation apart from the spreading of the gospel as commanded by Jesus Christ in Matthew 28:19-20 include education from nursery to tertiary levels (90%), job creation (82.5%) health (80%), spiritual solution and healings (80%) and religious transformation (75%) among others. The findings also through respondents identified some negative impacts being made by church proliferation which include: commercialization of the gospel (82.5%), low-quality Christian teaching (75%), denominational undue competition (85%), low moral standard of people (72.5%) and family disintegration (70%). In controlling the proliferation, the majority of respondents strongly agreed that the government should enforce discipline on misbehaved ministers (82.5%). Gospel ministers to preach more on holiness (80%), Christian bodies like CAN and PFN should checkmate their members (80%) and ready Christian leaders and ministers should be helped (75%). In conclusion, the positive impacts of the proliferation of churches have been adding value and good growth to the socio-cultural and economy of Nigeria while the negative impacts have been counselling great pain to the society in Nigeria. Therefore, efforts should be made to control the negative impact both by the government and Christian bodies like CAN and PFN, refocusing ministers to pure teaching and preaching of holiness messages instead of the gospel of prosperity.