Proliferation Of New Christian Religious Movements in Meru Town.

Abstract

This study was meant to investigate the factors leading to the rapid proliferation of new Christian religious movements (NCRMs) in Meru Town in Meru County. This was in consideration that NCRMs have continued to proliferate in the town albeit existence of mission founded churches. The overall question was ‘What causes their upsurge in an area that has well established churches?’ The study investigated the socio political, psycho-religious and economic aspects that lead to the proliferation of the MCRMs in Meru town as well as their impact. It was informed by the Rational Choice Theory developed by Rodney Stark and William Sims Bainbridge in 1987 which emphasize that religious systems are viewed as compensators and human beings are rational actors who make their best choices, calculating cost and benefits. Thus the NCRMs possibly act as compensators compensating for physical lack and the frustrated goals and the members are viewed as rational actors making choices to join NCRMs in view that their wants will be satisfied. It employed descriptive survey research design. Using purposive and simple random sampling technique, 340 respondents were sampled from a population of 4590 in 24 NCRMS in Meru town. The main findings were pastors’ claims of responding to God’s call, schism due to leadership wrangles, economic reasons and others lead to the proliferation of NCRMS in Meru.