Factors Influencing Migration of Church Members from Methodist Church of Kenya to Other Denominations: A Case of Kaaga Synod

Abstract

Migration of church members from one denomination to another is of concern to many churches especially the relatively established mainline ones.  The study sought to investigate the factors influencing migration of church members form the Methodist church in Kenya, Kaaga Synod, to other denominations.  The study endeavored to ascertain whether conservatism, struggles for power, increased monetary giving and the emergence of prosperity gospel have any significant influence on the migration.  The study was guided by the Relative Deprivation Theory which explains how individuals are influenced by deprivation.  Descriptive survey research design was used.  The study targeted 4,6000 members from Kaaga circuit and 205 migrants to other denominations.  Cluster sampling technique was applied and data was collected using questionnaires, interview schedule and focus group discussions.   Data was analyzed using descriptive statistics. The study revealed that individuals migrated from the Methodist church due to conservatism, power struggles, and emergence of prosperity gospel and high demand of monetary giving.  The study recommended that church activities should be flexible and responsive to modernization and social changes

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Keywords: Migration, Methodist church, Power struggle, monetary giving, Prosperity gospel.