A SOCIOLOGICAL EXPLORATION OF THE MEDIA AND CHURCH GROWTH: A CASE STUDY OF MOUNTAIN OF FIRE AND MIRACLES MINISTRIES

Abstract

The influence of media on societal dynamics has been transformative, particularly in communication, information dissemination and social connectivity. This transformation has significantly impacted religious institutions, reshaping how churches operate, evangelize and engage with their congregations, ultimately affecting church growth. The elite makeup of several Pentecostal churchesin no small way unites them with modern technologies. In Nigerian Pentecostalism, communication channels play a crucial role in spreading teachings, sermons and information among the congregants. The communication channel encompasses the use of media, which includes electronic, print, broadcast and social media.  The rapid growth in the number of church attendees at the Mountain of Fire and Miracles Ministries (MFM) has caused a lag in the dissemination of information, as well as the inability to reach the unreached. This vacuum led to a call for strategies and effective measures to solve this challenge, such as the use of the media as a way of communication.  This study is concerned with a sociological exploration of the use of media in harnessing the growth of the Church and communication with her members.  It adopts the mixed methodology (qualitative and quantitative exploration) approach to gain a more comprehensive understanding of the subject matter. Key informant interviews were conducted among 4 persons (3 males and 1 female), comprising Pastors and an administrator. Questionnaires were also distributed among 209 respondents, encompassing both males and females. Using the inferential statistics, the data were descriptively analysed using frequency distribution tables and appropriate charts for the assessment. Sociologically, the media has resulted in membership retention, economic gain and promotion of the church’s image, increased community Engagement and Social Integration. This research recommends the need for intensive follow-up and discipleship, reevaluation of messages and sermons and the need to reinstate the emphasis on social inclusivism times among members of MFM.