The church is the barometer through which societal values are evaluated.
This was the kernel of the 2019 edition of Alder Consulting Church Report presented to reporters last week in Lagos.
Speaking at the presentation ceremony, Leke Alder, Principal of Alder Consulting, said the firm took up the survey not only to provide the clergy a window through which they can view society but also to provide society a window through which they can view the clergy.
“The report measures the perception of the Church in Nigeria and its impact on society & national development.
“It provides feedback from church members & the general public, as well as information about socio-cultural shifts that affect the Church,” he stressed.
The Alder Church Report highlights the social relevance of the Church and in particular, captures the reaction of the youth demographic on burning topics such as sexuality and mental health.
According to him, the survey for the Alder Church Report was done online and offline and spanned 6-geopolitical zones in Nigeria.
In all, there were 4,634 respondents. 68 percent of whom were below 35 years old.
The gender ratio for the survey was 58 percent male to 42 percent female while 50 percent were single and 50 percent married.
From the survey, 30percent of the respondents are of the opinion that the Church should not be involved in politics. However, 23 percent say that pastors can vie for public office while 80 percent think that churches should advocate for good governance.
The survey, among many others, finds that more millennials consume Christian contents in digital format (e-Bible, Video Messages & Audio Messages) in the Northwest than in any other region of Nigeria.
This speaks to a strong desire for teachings in this part of Nigeria.
Another outcome of the report shows that Church members would like the Church to demonstrate financial responsibility by giving back to society (81%).
46 percent would like professional financial auditing, 40percent would like churches to publish financial reports while 25 percent want churches to pay tax.
The outcome of the survey also shows that people would like the church to be more responsive to issues of drug abuse, domestic violence, unemployment, depression, rape and sexuality.
Similarly, the number of millennials who believe in premarital sex has risen to 20 percent from 17 percent (2018).
This may signal a mind shift regarding sex and sexuality among millennial churchgoers.
With regards to church attendance, weekly attendance in church has increased from 42 percent to 50 percent.
However twice weekly attendance has dropped to 43 percent from 48 percent.
Regarding how the church can impact the next generation, millennials emphasised “Teaching the Word”, scoring it 92 percent.
In terms of current impact, they scored Financial Empowerment lowest (56 percent), despite the multiplicity of teachings on the subject.
Meanwhile, there appears to be a drop in church influence on culture. It is ranked below average (45percent). In 2016, it was ranked 68percent.
Reacting to the report, Senior Pastor of Elevation Church, Pastor Godman Akinlabi, said churches are trying their best to make living spiritually and physically more meaningful for their members but added that there is a limit to what they can do.
“This report will also help in no small ways for churches and policy makers to respond adequately to grey areas of the society,” he stated.
He, however, said the report is not limited to churches alone and its clergy but for all stakeholders, including policy makers, social workers, parents as well as youths.
CEO of Emotions City, Pastor Oyinkansola Alabi, said many are quick to blame the church for some issues but in reality they’re policy related issues which must be tackled by government.
Leave a Reply