IMPACT OF COHABITATION OF CONVERTS ON CHURCH GROWTH:

A CASESTUDY OF SELECTED CHURCHES IN IBEJU LEKKI LOCAL GOVERNMENT AREA, LAGOS

BY

EZE OKECHUKWU STEPHEN 2012/MA/78866

BY

AUGUST 2012

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IMPACT OF COHABITATION OF CONVERTS ON CHURCH GROWTH:

A CASESTUDY OF SELECTED CHURCHES IN IBEJU LEKKI LOCAL GOVERNMENT AREA, LAGOS

BY

EZE OKECHUKWU STEPHEN 2012/MA/78866

A DISSERTATION SUBMITTED TO THE REDEEMED CHRISTIAN BIBLE COLLEGE IN PARTIAL FUFILMENT OF THE REQUIREMENTS FOR THE AWARD OF MASTER OF ARTS DEGREE IN THEOLOGY

AUGUST 2012

CERTIFICATION
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I certify that the research embodied in this project work was carried out by EZE, Okechukwu Stephen of the Department of Christian Education, the Redeemed Christian Bible College, Redemption Camp under my supervision.

Dr. Dare Ajayi SUPERVISOR

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DEDICATION This work is dedicated to the Holy Spirit, my greatest teacher, my parents, wife and daughter; My Congregation and my Sponsor to the glory of God.

ABSTRACT

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The practice of cohabitation is becoming more and more common in Nigeria as a substitute for Christian marriage in a secular society. The term "cohabitation" is usually defined as a short or long-term heterosexual relationship outside marriage. Since the term itself carries in our society a negative or pejorative connotation there is a tendency to replace it with a new and more technical one, namely, "partnering." The topic itself is complex and difficult to address, but we should be willing to explore it. The practice of cohabitation was usually understood to be an indication of moral social decadence and was considered to be a case of fornication, but that is no longer the case. Most people are accepting it as a modern type of marriage that society itself encourages by penalizing married couples through high tax laws and by reducing the social benefits of widows or widowers who remarry. Besides, cohabitation is promoted and even glamorized by the Media as a valid alternative to the traditional understanding of marriage. The purpose of this work is an examination of the impact of cohabitation of converts on church growth and this research was only limited to Churches within Ibeju Lekki Local Government Area, a suburb of Lagos State. This work is embarked upon with a view to bring into light the extent of the impact of cohabitation of converts on church growth. It is also the aim of this work to analyse the problem encountered in the process of helping couples living in cohabitation to be united in Christian marriage. This essay is divided into five chapters with each chapter dealing with specific topics which are nevertheless inter-related. The First Chapter introduces the essay with a brief look at Cohabitation and how it has continued to be on the rise in Nigeria. The Second Chapter focuses its attention on providing a conceptual background to the study and there was a review of relevant literature and research questions were distributed among various Churches within Ibeju Lekki Local Government Area, a suburb of Lagos State. A total of 200 Christians, ministers especially pastors, women, men, and youths formed the sample for the study. The Focus of attention in Chapter Three will be on Research Methodology and the simple random sample technique was employed in selecting the sample used for the research. A structured self-developed questionnaire was used as the instrument to elicit responses from the respondents. A total of five research questions were formulated for the study. Data were analyzed using frequency courts and simple percentage. The Fourth Chapter will examine the result of the analysis showed among other findings, there are Church members who are involved in cohabitation or those whose marriages are not properly contracted; the several factors that could make people engage in cohabitation. The challenges those in this kind of relationship are likely to face as a result of their disobedience to Gods word and violation of Godly Christian marriage principles. It also revealed that though some of the victims may increase the numerical growth of the Church, their activities may bring about reduced commitment and pollute the spiritual healthy growth of the Church.
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The Focus of attention in Chapter Five will be on discussion, summary and conclusion of the topic which give us the opportunity to proffer solution to the implication of the finding as well as the role of the Church as well as Christian pastors in reducing the practice of cohabitation among Christian converts in Nigeria. The Fifth Chapter highlighted the importance of proper counseling to those who are already involved in cohabitation on the need to revisit their marital foundation for possible righting every wrong.

ACKNOWLEDGEMENT

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I am sincerely grateful to my project Supervisor Dr. Dare Ajayi who supervised the conduct of this research work. I am so much encourage by his proper guidance and useful corrections in the course of writing this research work. My gratitude also goes to the head of my department and all the lecturers in the department who had contributed in impacting my life and equipping me for Gods work. My special thanks go to my sponsor, a minister of God with a compassionate spirit. Pastor Nwose Kalu for providing me with both financial and moral support I needed to successfully complete this programme. The Almighty God will continually remember your good work and richly reward you. I express my profound gratitude to my good and understanding parents, my beloved wife and precious daughter for their love and encouragement. I will not fail to appreciate the co-operation of my congregation RCCG Grace Pavilion Parish, Ibeju, bearing with me during the programme. I am grateful to my lecturers in Christian Education Department, the Computer Engineer, Ilemobade Oyedun who helped me in typing my dissertation for taking his time to type this work on time. Finally, and above all, I exalt the name of the Most High God, My Saviour Jesus Christ and the Holy Spirit who by His grace has made possible the actualization of my academic vision and for His protection and provision throughout my course of study. To Him be glory forever Amen. Eze O. Stephen

TABLE OF CONTENTS

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Cover Page Title Page Certification Dedication Abstract Acknowledgement Table of Contents

I II III IV V VII VIII

1.0 1.1 1.2

CHAPTER ONE: INTRODUCTION Background to the Study Statement of the Problem

1 - 10

1.3
1.4 1.5 1.6 1.7 1.8

Limitations/Challenges of the Study

Purpose of the Study Research Question/Hypothesis Scope of the Study Significance of the Study Operational Definition of Terms

2.0 2.1 2.2

CHAPTER TWO: REVIEW OF RELEVANT LITERATURE Theoretical Framework Empirical Review of Literature

11 - 31

2.3
2.4 2.5 2.6 2.7 2.8

Consequences of Cohabitation
Marriage versus Cohabitation How Cohabitation Differs From Marriage Types of Marriage Arrangements: Qualification for Marriage Laying a Solid Foundation for Marriage [viii]

2.9 3.0 3.1 3.2 3.3 3.4 3.5

What Is Church Growth? Factors That Influence Church Growth The Relationship between Christian Marriage and Church Growth. Gods Purpose for Christian Marriage Principles of a Happy Marriage Cohabiting Converts versus Church Growth Reason for Cohabitation

3.0 3.1 3.2. 3.3 3.4 3.5 3.6

CHAPTER THREE: RESEARCH METHODOLOGY Research Design/Type Population Sampling and Sampling Technique Instrumentation Administration of Instruments Data Analysis

32 - 33

4.0 4.1 4.2

CHAPTER FOUR: RESULTS Results of the Findings Critical Evaluation of the Study

34 - 45

5.0 5.1 5.2 5.3 5.4

CHAPTER FIVE: DISCUSSIONS, SUMMARY AND CONCLUSIONS Further Discussion of the Findings Implication of the Findings Contribution to Knowledge Summary, Recommendations and suggestions for further research

46 - 53

REFERENCES

54

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Appendix A: Introduction letter Appendix B: Questionnaire

55 56

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