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Conflict in Pentecostal Churches: the Case of Christian Church International, Kiria-Ini Town, Murang`A County, Kenya by Daniel M

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Conflict in Pentecostal Churches: the Case of Christian Church International, Kiria-Ini Town, Murang`A County, Kenya by Daniel M CONFLICT IN PENTECOSTAL CHURCHES: THE CASE OF CHRISTIAN CHURCH INTERNATIONAL, KIRIA-INI TOWN, MURANG`A COUNTY, KENYA BY DANIEL MAINA GATHUKI C50/CE/11020/06 A THESIS SUBMITTED IN PARTIAL FULFILMENT OF THE REQUIREMENTS FOR THE AWARD OF DEGREE OF MASTER OF ARTS IN THE SCHOOL OF HUMANITIES AND SOCIAL SCIENCES OF KENYATTA UNIVERSITY NOVEMBER 2015 ii DECLARATION This thesis is my original work and has not been presented for a degree in any other University or any other award. ……………………………… ………………………… Signature Date Daniel Maina Gathuki (C50/CE/11020/06) Department of Philosophy and Religious Studies SUPERVISORS This thesis has been submitted with our approval as University Supervisors. …………………………… ………………………… Signature Date Dr. Margaret Gecaga Department of Philosophy and Religious Studies ……………………………… ……………………… Signature Date Dr. Josephine Gitome Department of Philosophy and Religious Studies iii DEDICATION To my wife Mary Waithera Maina and our children Morris, Mark and Maxwell for their unwavering love and support. Their endurance was a great encouragement. iv ACKNOWLEDGEMENT To God be the glory. His grace was sufficient throughout this study. This study would not have come to fruition without the guidance, suggestions, insights and inspirations from my dedicated supervisors Dr. Margaret Gecaga and Dr. Josephine Gitome. I thank them for their tireless effort, patience and contribution to this work. I am equally thankful to Dr. Zacharia Samita for his rich academic input into this work: He referred me to relevant sources that enriched this study. Special thanks go to my research assistant Mr. Paul W. Kariuki for his diligence and patience that saw me collect the required data. I am also greatly indebted to all my respondents, especially Bishop Duncan Mbogo (General Secretary of Christian Church International Kenya), Rev. Joseph Kiiru, Bishop Samuel Kahuho, Pastor Kenneth Ndegwa and Nancy Gathungu for their wealth of information, a great resource to this study. Mrs Mary Maina, was very helpful in proof-reading the final copy of this thesis. Many more people contributed either directly or indirectly to the final version of this thesis. It is impossible to mention their invaluable contribution in limited space like this one. I wish to record my sincere appreciation of their prayers, words of encouragement and effort in general. However, any shortcomings in this work rest entirely with the author. v TABLE OF CONTENTS Declaration........................................................................................................ ii Dedication.........................................................................................................iii Acknowledgement............................................................................................ iv Table of contents …………………………………………………….……….v Appendices ........................................................................................................x List of tables ………………………………………………………………….x List of figures ………………………………………………………………...x Operational Definitions.....................................................................................xi Abbreviations and Acronyms......................................................................... xii Abstract.......................................................................................................... xiv CHAPTER ONE GENERAL INTRODUCTION 1.1 Background to the Study.......................................................................1 1.2 Statement of the Problem.......................................................................6 1.3 Objectives of the Study........................................................................ 8 1.4 Research Premises................................................................................. 8 1.5 Research Questions............................................................................... 8 1.6 Justification and Significance of the Study........................................... 9 1.7 Scope and Limitations..........................................................................10 vi CHAPTER TWO LITERATURE REVIEW 2.1 Introdu ction......................................................................................... 12 2.1.1 Establishment, Growth and Development of Pentecostal Churches... 12 2.1.2 Theological Teachings of Pentecostal Churches on Church Unity......15 2.1.3 Factors that Cause Conflicts in Pentecostal Churches........................ 17 2.1.4 Effects of Conflicts in Pentecostal Churches.......................................25 2.1.5 Conclusion........................................................................................... 26 2.2 Conceptual Frame Work.................................................................... 29 CHAPTER THREE RESEARCH METHODOLOGY 3.1 Introduction..........................................................................................34 3.1.1 Research design....................................................................................34 3.1.2 Study Area............................................................................................35 3.1.3 Target Population.................................................................................36 3.1.4 Sampling Techniques and Sample Size................................................36 3.1.4.1 CCI Leadership Hierarchy...................................................................37 3.1.4.2 Former Leaders of CCI Kiria-ini..........................................................37 3.1.4.3 Former Members of CCI Kiria-ini.......................................................39 3.1.5 Methods of Data Collection................................................................ 40 3.1.6 Research Instruments……...................................................................41 3.1.7 Data Analysis.......................................................................................42 3.1.8 Ethical Considerations..........................................................................43 vii 3.1.9 Conclusion………………………………………………..………..43 CHAPTER FOUR THE ESTABLISHMENT, GROWTH AND DEVELOPMENT OF CCI 4.1 Introduction......................................................................................... 45 4.1.1 The History of CCI...............................................................................45 4.1.2 The Establishment of CCI by Bishop Kiriethe.....................................46 4.1.3 The Growth of ACCEA from 1990-2002............................................ 50 4.1.4 Relocation of the ACCEA Headquarters from Nanyuki to Thika........54 4.1.5 The Change of Name from ACCEA to CCI.........................................55 4.1.6 The Administrative Structure of CCI……...........................................56 4.2 The Spread of CCI to Murang‟a County..............................................61 4.2.1 The CCI Murang‟a Diocese.................................................................61 4.2.2 The Establishment and Growth of CCI Kiria-ini.................................62 4.3 Conclusion...........................................................................................67 CHAPTER FIVE THE THEOLOGICAL TEACHINGS OF CCI ON CHURCH UNITY 5.1 Introduction..........................................................................................68 5.1.1 CCI Doctrines Derived from the Mission and Statement of Faith..….68 5.1.2 The Unity of Believers.........................................................................69 5.1.3 Leadership Training in CCI.................................................................71 5.1.4 The Doctrine of Salvation (Soteriology).............................................74 5.1.5 The Doctrine of Baptism……………………………..........................75 viii 5.1.6 The CCI Teaching on the Holy Communion and its Implication for Church unity..................……………………………..…...…………77 5.1.7 Dedication of Children.........................................................................79 5.2 Other CCI General Teachings on Church Unity..................................80 5.2.1 CCI Teachings on the Contribution of Marriage to Church Unity.......80 5.2.2 The Burial Rites and Church Unity......................................................82 5.2.3 The Doctrine of Pneumatology…………………..……......................83 5.2.4 The Doctrine of Eschatology………………........................................85 5.2.5 The Great Commission ………………………………………………87 5.3 Conclusion............................................................................................89 CHAPTER SIX CAUSES OF THE CONFLICT AND SPLIT OF CCI KIRIAI-INI 6. I Introduction......................................................................................... 90 6.1.1 Factors that led to the Conflict in CCI Kiria-ini.................................. 91 6.1.2 Weak Administrative Structures......................................................... 91 6.1.3 Struggle for Leadership Positions....................................................... 94 6.1.4 Mismanagement of Finances................................................................95 6.1.5 Unilateral Methods of Appointing Church Leaders.............................97 6.1.6 Lack of Leadership Skills and Theological Training.........................100 6.2 Conclusion..........................................................................................104 ix CHAPTER SEVEN EFFECTS OF THE CONFLICT IN CCI KIRIA-INI 7.1 Introduction......................................................................................
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