Religious Studies

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    History, development and impact of the presbyterian church of east africa in the eastern region, kenya (1915 -2022)
    (Chuka University, 2024) Mwindi Lucy Muthoni
    This study sought to trace the history of PCEA in the Eastern Region from 1915 to 2022. The study also sought to analyze the spread and numerical growth of PCEA in the Eastern Region from 1915 to 2022. The impact on the social, economic and political transformation of PCEA in the Eastern Region was also assessed. The research questions included what is the history of PCEA in the Eastern Region. How has PCEA been spreading and growing numerically in the Eastern Region and how has PCEA impacted on the social, economic and political transformation in the Eastern Region? The justification for this study is that the Eastern Region is one of the administrative units of PCEA and PCEA is one of the earliest denominations in the Eastern Region but its milestones and influence in the region has not been fully analyzed. The purpose of this study was to trace the history, development and impact of PCEA in the Eastern Region from 1915 to 2022. The study was guided by two theories. Hegel’s Linear Theory of History and Max Weber’s theory of Sociology of Religion. Hegel described history as a continual refinement of intellectual understanding and that history is progressive. This was used in tracing the history of PCEA in the Eastern Region and analyzing the spread and numerical growth of PCEA in the Eastern Region. The impact of PCEA in the Eastern Region was assessed using Max Weber’s Theory of the Sociology of Religion, Weber (1920) says that religion is a source of social change and stability. The research adopted the descriptive research survey design. The target population for this study was the 60,862 members of PCEA in the Eastern Region. A sample of 449 was used for this study. It included nine Presbytery moderators, 73 church ministers and 381 church members. The Presbytery Moderators were purposively selected; the parish ministers were selected using stratified sampling techniques while the church members were identified through simple random sampling. The respondents for this study were 438 who included 9 Presbytery moderators, 59 church ministers and 376 church members. Descriptive survey research method was used to generate both qualitative and quantitative data. Oral interviews and questionnaires were used to collect data from the, presbytery moderators, church ministers and the members of the church. Tape recorded data from the interviews was transcribed verbatim. Data was analysed qualitatively and presented using tables, percentages, figures and discussions. The study established that PCEA was brought to the Eastern Region by the Church of Scotland Mission in 1915 and that it has experienced numerical growth since its inception and has greatly impacted on the social, economic and political transformation in the Eastern Region. The study recommends that the PCEA should improve on data storage methods to avoid loss of important information about the milestones of the church. The Church should devise new strategies to ensure balance of numerical and spiritual growth. The study contributed a body of knowledge in the social historical perspective of religious study by elucidating the history, development and impact of PCEA in the Eastern Region.
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    DYNAMICS OF ANGLICAN DEVELOPMENT SERVICES OF THE ANGLICAN CHURCH IN ENHANCING COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT IN KENYA PETER
    (Chuka University, 2022-09) WAMBUGU, PETER
    The purpose of the study was to investigate the dynamics of Anglican Development Services (ADS) of the Anglican Church in enhancing Community Development (CD) in Kenya. The ADS since its inception has been involved in sectors such as agriculture, education, climate change, environment, healthcare, gender, human rights, poverty alleviation, peace building and justice, food security, economic empowerment, advocacy, water and sanitation, HIV/AIDS, capacity development and governance with the aim of improving the livelihood of the community. However, despite mitigation programs by the ADS in enhancing CD in Kenya, the community has consistently experienced the problem of inequalities, depraved governance, corruption, poverty, tribalism, poor health, unemployment and forms of under development, thus necessitating this study. The objectives of the study were: To establish the biblical and theological basis for church involvement in community development; to analyze the organizational policies of Anglican Development Services in enhancing community development in Kenya; to investigate the strategies employed by Anglican Development Services in enhancing community development in Kenya; and to establish the challenges facing Anglican Development Services in enhancing community development in Kenya. The study was carried out in four Anglican Development Services regions in Kenya namely: Pwani, Eastern, Mount Kenya East and NAIKA (Nairobi, Kajiado and All Saints). The Theory of Reconstruction Theology (RT) advanced by Jesse N.K Mugambi was applied based on the process of social reconstruction as a paradigm for CD. Descriptive survey research design was used and a sample of 330 respondents gotten from a target population of 1,827 was employed. The data was collected using questionnaires, interviews, and Focus Group Discussions (FGDs). Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS) version 26 computer software was used to analyze the quantitative data using descriptive statistics, such as frequency and percentages in accordance with the study's objectives. Thematic analysis was done on qualitative data. The findings illustrated that the biblical and theological basis for church involvement in community development was highly valued. It was demonstrated that ADS has both policies and well founded strategies for enhancing community development. However, a number of challenges were discovered to be impeding the process of implementing of development initiatives and programs. To improve on the sustainability of community development within the targeted areas, it is recommended that more effort be made to disseminate biblical and theological teachings to educate communities about the wholistic mission of the church. In order to improve the sustainability of the development programs for the benefit of communities, beneficiary communities and community development partners should be appropriately engaged and well informed about the tenets, mission and strategic plans of ADS programs and projects. ADS target recipients should be expanded through conscientization process, goal oriented empowerment and transformative participatory approach, with the most vulnerable members of the community receiving priority. Suitable mitigating measures should be implemented to address the challenges encountered to ensure that the community and all stakeholders contribute to the achievement of the ADS community development objectives. From the study, it was confirmed that the ADS stands as a platform for socio transformation within the life stream of the people through community development. The study will make contribution to knowledge in religious studies, theology and related disciplines.
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    Assessment of Peace Building Strategies Employed by The Presbyterian Church of East Africa in Enhancing Inter-Ethnic Harmony in Kenya
    (Chuka University, 2019-09) Mwamba, Julius Guantai
    Ethnic conflicts remain the biggest setback to the development of many African nations and Kenya is not an exception. The Church has a mandate to make use of her divine mission in building peace and fostering reconciliation in the society. In response the PCEA initiated several peace building strategies aimed at enhancing inter-ethnic harmony in Kenya. Despite the Church in Kenya playing a great role in the promotion of harmony, ethnic conflicts continue to escalate in various parts of the country. This study therefore investigated the efficacy of peace building strategies of Presbyterian Church of East Africa in enhancing inter-ethnic harmony in selected in Kenya. The study adopted a descriptive survey research design. The study target population was 1,624,345 PCEA members in Nakuru west, Nakuru east, Njoro, Elburgon, Laikipia, Eldoret and Mombasa presbyteries where inter-ethnic conflicts are dominant. Purposive and simple random sampling techniques were used to select 384 respondents comprising of 342 church members, 38 church elders and 14 church ministers. The instruments for data collection were questionnaires for the Church elders and members, structured interview guide for Church ministers and focus group discussions for inter-ethnic violence victims. Piloting involving 76 respondents was done in from Nakuru East presbytery. Using Spearman Brown Prediction formula by split half technique, a reliability coefficient of 0.71 and 0.74 were realised for the questionnaires for church members and church elders, respectively. This was accepted because an alpha value of 0.7 and above is considered adequate for making accurate group inferences. Religious studies and other experts from the Faculty of Humanities and Social Sciences of Chuka University ascertained the validity of the instruments. Data was analysed using descriptive statistics with help of the statistical package of social sciences (SPSS) version 21.0 for windows and presented in frequency distribution tables. This study found that radicalization, imperialism; ideological polarization and inter-communal violence being increased by competition over the fruits of devolution and elite manipulation of local communities were the major emerging issues responsible for inter-ethnic conflicts. It also established that the use of sermons, pastoral care and counselling, Bible study, peace building workshops, prayer movements, mainstreaming of Church standing groups; policy development by the General Assembly, lobbying and having a peace desk have seldom achieved much in fostering inter-ethnic harmony in Kenya. The study suggested the church needs to intensify recruitment and training of peace agents through seminars and workshops to enhance their competency and hence enhance effectiveness. The study concluded that that the PCEA’s involvement in peace building had Biblical, pastoral and theological justification. The findings of the study will assist policy makers to develop effective community-based programmes to mitigate ethnic conflict and also contribute to knowledge in the area of morality and religion. The findings may also be used by religious bodies keen to promote religious teachings aimed at advocating sound moral values and ethics among members of the society. The findings may provide valuable empirical data to Non-Governmental Organizations working in collaboration with the Church to provide community based tailored approaches to fight ethnic violence.