CHAPTER ONE
INTRODUCTION
1.1 Background of the Study
This research centers on the role of Christian education in addressing illiteracy and the resultant impacts on the growth of the church. The intention of the research is to show the role Christian education to church growth and to show how Christian education can address illiteracy. Illiteracy brings limitation to church growth because the church Pastor, leaders, workers and members cannot function properly in their respective responsibilities and also cannot be adequately ministered to in an atmosphere where illiteracy reigns. The concept Illiteracy varied according to the dimension author views illiteracy. Illiteracy is said to be a state whereby the individual is unable to read and write. It is lack of any or sufficient education. Also it means ignorance or the lack of knowledge in a specific subject (Odumuyiwa, 2006). Another dimension to illiteracy is considered as functional illiteracy. Functional illiteracy describes a situation where an individual does not have adequate writing and reading skills considered to perform employment duties that demand reading and writing skills that go beyond the basic level (Omotoye, 2006). Also illiteracy involves hearing and understanding of sounds, and language. In summation, illiteracy involves writing, speaking, understanding, skills, and knowledge on a subject. When an individual is illiterate, that individual will be deficient in the performance of his or her duty due to lack of knowledge that reduces the efficiency or renders the individual inefficient in any give practice. Illiteracy inhibit an individual’s ability to comprehend, interpret, assimilates and apply what is communicated to him/her. Christian education as the teaching ministry of the church has a great role to address illiteracy. It must be acknowledged that an individual may be termed illiterate or literate based on the subject or language under consideration. A German may be considered illiterate in English language but when it comes to German language he/she is not illiterate, vice visa. Education occurs by way of experience, some direct or indirect, planned or unplanned with regard to the involvement of the sensory system. Some educational experience could occur by revelation (Abogunrin, 2009).
Christian education as the teaching ministry of the church, involves mature Christians nurturing others who are growing in faith to be matured. The essence of Christian Education is to help all persons believe gospel message of Jesus Christ and mature in the Christian faith. The content therefore of Christian education must be addressed from the Biblical point of views. Christian education is life-long and must be internationally planned for all age groups. When the nature and purpose of Christian education is unknown or not understood, its aim and objectives will not be achieved. Church growth is both spiritual and physical. Christian education is vital for the overall growth of the church. According to Charles A. Tidwell, “Pastors must not fall prey to the misconception that they can fulfill the responsibilities of ministry without emphasizing education-teaching and learning” (Opoola, 2010).
There is high rate of illiteracy in the most riverine communities in Delta state. Foursquare Gospel Church in Nigeria, Bomadi missionary zone covers Bomadi local government areas and two villages under Ughelli North local government of Delta state. Bomadi local government consists of riverine Ijaw Speaking communities. Lois Semenye confirms, “One of the reasons many of our churches lack Christian education is ignorance, which is often rooted in the way pastors are trained …. The basic educational tools … are teachers, materials and methods:” (Essien, 1998). In view of the relapse of church growth due to illiteracy. The research identifies the role of Christian education in addressing illiteracy and how its import on church growth in Foursquare Gospel Church, Bomadi missionary zone.
1.2 Statement of Problem
The problem of illiteracy is a common phenomenon in the riverines even amongst Pastors, Leaders, and Church workers. Illiteracy as oppose to literacy places great limitation on individual and church. Christian education has a pivotal role in the total growth of a Church. The great commission according Matthew 28:19-20 involves teaching. How will the Christian education ministry be effectively accomplished with the level illiteracy amongst church pastor, leaders, and workers? Considering the level of illiteracy amidst Leaders, and Churches workers, the research seeks to identify the role of Christian education in addressing illiteracy and the implications on the church growth.
1.3 Purpose of the Study
The research accomplishes the following purposes:
1. It is to show the role of Christian education in addressing illiteracy.
2. To highlights relationship between illiteracy and church growth.
3. To show to pastors, church administrator, leaders, church workers, and members that illiteracy is a bane to the effectiveness of Christian education.
4. To show to church members that the level literacy of their leaders has great impact their spiritual well-being.
1.4 Research Question
1. What is the role of Christian education in addressing illiteracy?
2. What is the relationship between illiteracy and church growth?
3. Does church members level of literacy has great impact on their spiritual well-being?
1.5 Hypothesis
H0: There is no significant influence of Christian education on literacy in Nigeria.
H1: There is a significant influence of Christian education on literacy in Nigeria.
1.6 Significance of the Study
The research will be an immense benefit to Foursquare Church as organization and individuals:
First, this research work is a reference material for future researchers. It will provide insight on the consequences of illiteracy to church growth and how Christian education contributes to church. Secondly, Pastors, leaders, and workers will know that their level of illiteracy has consequential effect on the church. Hence, for the church to growth there is a great need for them to improve on themselves. Thirdly, Pastors, leaders, workers, and church administrators will appreciate the significant of literacy on church growth and will place value on education.
Fourthly, Pastors, leaders, workers, and church administrators will know that if the church will fulfill her Christian education, there is need for trainings for effectiveness. Finally, the research will contribute to knowledge. Scholars have made several researches in different fields of study which contributed knowledge on the field study, on the same vein this research is a contribution to knowledge. It will provide insight on how church education addresses illiteracy and its significant on church growth.
1.7 Scope of the Study
This work focuses on illiteracy, Christian education and church growth. The study is done with selected Foursquare Gospel Churches , Bomadi Missionary Zone. The emphasis of the researcher is the role of Christian education in addressing illiteracy and how it affects the growth of the church.
Research Procedure
The method adopted for this research is the combination of library and fieldwork. Books and the internet were used for the library work, while questionnaires were administered and interviews were conducted. Gathering of the materials for the thesis is mainly from the Library, internet, electronics books, interviews.