A CASE STUDY FOR THE TRAINING OF THE REDEEMED CHRISTIAN CHURCH OF GOD WORKFORCE RELOCATING TO U.K. FROM NIGERIA

ABSTRACT

This dissertation, “A CASE STUDY FOR THE TRAINING OF THE REDEEMED CHRISTIAN CHURCH OF GOD WORKFORCE RELOCATING TO U.K. FROM NIGERIA” is to investigate the need for training and retraining of church workforce as they relocate from one cultural background to another and prepare the ground for developing body of ideas which would be needed to meet the necessary training programmes. It is also to consider ways of enhancing the ministry effectiveness of the workforce of the Redeemed Christian Church of God, who are trained in Nigeria but now reside in the U.K., and set out to prepare training programmes geared towards improving the effectiveness of these workforce in their new locations in order to fully enhance the effectiveness without weariness, despite the changes in culture and social settings.

The need for this study is borne out of the fact that there are glaring cultural, social and theological divergences between a Christian with an African (Nigeria) background operating in a Western (British) environment. Consequently one is of the opinion that the need for training and retraining is a necessity for the Workforce as they relocate from one cultural environment to another and to equip them with the needed skills for their ministry if they are to carry on with their service to God effectively.

The study is based on the Redeemed Christian Church of God, being a thriving and growing Church in Europe and the World in general. The two major groups of people sampled in this research are – the Pastors and the Workers. These two groups are used as the samples in the case study to investigate the effect of continuous training for ministry effectiveness and to determine and establish if a relationship exists between ministry effectiveness and proper training; and use that relationship to formulate new training programmes and modules for the Church Workforce especially when relocating from one cultural background to another.
The study in its findings, turned out very interesting highlights as regard the need for training and retraining of the Church Workforce relocating from one cultural background to another (as in this case – from Nigeria to the U.K.).

Brief outcomes of the study are as follows -

Ø That the necessity for adequate training skills before relocating as a factor in ministry effectiveness is vital.

Ø That the necessity for continuous training after relocating cannot be over emphasised for ministry effectiveness in any new location with significant social-cultural differences.

Ø That having prior knowledge of some of these areas such as Environmental, Mentoring, and Cultural issues could have tremendous impact on the ministry effectiveness of the people involved in the workforce of the gospel, before relocating from one cultural background to another.

Ø That these area of skills and knowledge such as environmental, Mentoring, Cultural and relating with people of culture could be used to develop training (modules) programmes based on the needs of the people involved in the work of the gospel.

Ø That church workers should be encouraged to keep proper CPD[1] portfolio annually as professionals in the vineyard of God. For instance in the Redeemed Christian Church of God mission the Workforce (Pastors and the paid Workers) must start to see themselves as Professionals in the vineyard of God.

Ø That from the opinion of the two groups sampled, continuous training can be used to foster and improve the work of the gospel and the efficiency of the Workforce that are involved to fully maximise the calling of God in their lives.

The training and retraining of these Workers of the gospel as regard the Great Commission in Matt 28:18-19, should be embraced by all to enable the Workforce maximise the call of God on their lives as ambassadors for Christ[2] where ever they go and enhance their Ministry effectiveness in any geographical/cultural environment they may find themselves.

In the face of globalisation as well as rapid scientific and technological changes, the need for training and retraining of Churches’ Workforce in order to prepare them for Soul winning has become a necessity and a crucial issue that needs urgent attention especially in this “End time”.

Among the major recommendations of the study are the need to develop and provide the Pastors and Workers being the Workforce of the gospel with adequate training programmes in order to maximise their Ministry effectiveness especially when they relocate from one cultural background to another.

The study also recommends the following from its findings–

Ø That church Leaders and Management must first recognise the need for such trainings for their Workforce.

Ø The church Leaders and management must encourage the efficiency and effectiveness in the ministries of the people they have put in these position of authority by providing them with adequate training programmes and training centres that should be manned by qualified trained experts.

Ø Review training programme contents from time to time, in order to meet the present day needs of the trainees (Church Workforce).

Ø Make sure that training seminars/conferences/workshops are properly programmed for specific and stipulated period and purposes, designed specifically for spiritual developments.

Ø Encourage the Pastors and Workers to start keeping Continuous Professional Development portfolios as they move from one level to another and from one cultural location to another.

With specific regard to the Redeemed Christian Church of God, the training programmes could be used to review the Workforce performances both in the U.K. and Nigeria and the outcomes as a basis for the evaluation of the expansion of the gospel in order to continue to build a platform for a more and better global outreach as well as accommodate the various variables that were discussed in chapter four.

In the U.K. where there seems not to be any training manual for Workers, it is imperative that one should be done which should be fit for purpose. This should be used by the parishes and be reviewed periodically.

Looking at the U.K. and Europe, the harvest is indeed plenty and ripe, but the Workforce looks very few and weak; however with adequate training programmes and proper planning in place, much talk about revival can then be earnestly tackled.

Chapter One


INTRODUCTION


BACKGROUND TO THE STUDY

In the world today, we are beginning to live in close proximity to people of different culture with radically different world view; thereby causing witnessing of the gospel to start to shift from merely geographical focus to a more cultural focus.

Most societies are becoming more multicultural and multi-ethnic in nature, whereas many who serve the cause of Jesus Christ are yet to fully acquire the basic and necessary cross-cultural competence for Ministry effectiveness especially in the context of Soul winning. In a society like the U.K. that will invariably have enormous effect on the effectiveness of the work in the ministry.

Political, Academician and the business people understand this new phenomenon and are already putting in place the skills and knowledge required for the effectiveness of the people involved in such cross-cultural settings. Professionals in education, government, military and social work also already understand the need to acquire necessary training skills and knowledge set out for the effectiveness in their duties and responsibilities, and those of us in the propagation of the gospel cannot be exempted. I am proposing that the same be done for those who seek to do the work of Christ in mission ministry, Pastors as professionals and Workers paid or volunteers should also start to acquire the necessary training skills and competence for ministry effectiveness in their duties and responsibilities to Jesus especially in a multi-cultural nation like U.K.

For instance in the Redeemed Christian Church of God mission the Pastors and the paid Workers must start to see themselves as Professionals in the work of God.
It should be noted that we may not be able to acquire the cross-cultural skills needed for ministry effectiveness until we start to undergo the necessary training transformations.
Today in the U.K. we live in a time of globalisation and cultural diversity that require adaptability as well as the awareness of the challenging social contexts, hence one of the aims of this research is looking into how to tackle such challenges and how the adaptation could be carried out through training programmes in order to enhance the ministry effectiveness of these Workers and Ministers of the gospel especially now that we are daily clamouring for revival in Europe.

The need for training for ministry effectiveness has also been recently observed and noted as the major challenge during the Inaugural Sunday School Conference for the Mission (RCCG)[3]. The issue of training and how to continue to retrain the Sunday School Teachers as Workers in the vine yard was of paramount importance as the conference concluded, which continue to press for the importance of training for the effectiveness of these Workers as Sunday School Teachers as regard their duties and responsibilities in the propagation of the gospel.

This dissertation, “A CASE STUDY FOR THE TRAINING OF THE REDEEMED CHRISTIAN CHURCH OF GOD WORKFORCE RELOCATING TO U.K. FROM NIGERIA” propose to put forward the need for training for ministry effectiveness of those involved in the work of Christ as regard the great commission in Matthew 28:18-19. And design training modules for necessary training programmes and how the modules could be delivered in order to enhance the ministry effectiveness of Pastors/Workers and Ministers of the gospel in a multi-cultural society.


PURPOSE OF THE STUDY

This study intend to address the fact that there is no adequate training programme for Pastors/ Workers relocating from Nigeria to the United Kingdom, who intend to continue with their ministry work.

The research is borne out of the need to provide Pastors/ Workers and Ministers of the gospel with adequate training programmes in order to maximise their ministry effectiveness.
The study will be based on a particular mission, RCCG[4] and intends to look at trainings that could be provided to enhance the ministry effectiveness of the Pastors/ Workers relocating from Nigeria to the U.K, this may also be applicable to other missions and locations.
The study will also suggest training programmes that could be needed for such relocations.

The lack of efficient training programme hinders ministry effectiveness, can be adequately accomplished through efficient training for Pastors/ Workers before relocating from Nigeria to U.K. therefore this study will be investigating the effect of training on ministry effectiveness; to determine if there is a correlation and to establish that relationship in order to formulate new ministerial and workers training modules for Church workforce especially when they relocate and to enable them continue fervently with the work of the gospel.


THE RESEARCH FRAME WORK

Workers and Pastors from selected parishes in the UK were sampled to participate in the case study. They responded to questions designed to measure the effect of training and ministry effectiveness on relocation from on cultural background to another, while the Pastors answered oral or online interview questions[5] and the questionnaire[6], the Workers only the questionnaire[7].

The interview questions and the questionnaires were administered and collated using the two methods of information management –

The Paper-based

The online computer-based

Methods to enable the researcher reach as many people as possible all round the UK.

The data collected were analysed using two nonparametric test methods -
Chi-square Test of Independence
Mann-Whitney U Test

The results revealed was used to establish that formal training can actually increase the overall effectiveness of Workforce in Church Ministry when they relocate from one cultural background to another as well as formulate future and meaningful training modules and programmes.

[1] Continuous Professional Development
[2] 2 Thess 2:14 – “Whereunto he called you by our gospel, to the obtaining of the glory of our Lord Jesus Christ.”
[3] RCCG, U.K., SUNDAY SCHOOL NATIONAL CONFERENCE, 4TH JULY 2009. INSPIRATION HOUSE, LONDON.
[4] RCCG – The Redeemed Christian Church of God
[5] See Appendix 3
[6] See Appendix 2
[7] See Appendix 1