CHALLENGES FACING CHURCH WORKERS IN KENYA

Abstract

Kenya has many church denominations each with distinct approaches to Christian faith but guided by the common goal of service to God and humanity. The achievement of this goal is actualised through the principles of volunteerism and selfless giving. The volunteerism mentality and the need for employees to work on Sundays has profound impact on how professionals and other church workers are treated. The aim of this study was to establish the challenges that affect performance of church workers in Kenya. Specifically the study examined the various unconventional working conditions under which church workers perform and how these conditions affect their performance. This study used the case study research design. The Christ is the Answer Ministry (CITAM) was used as the case. The CITAM was purposively selected because it is one of the modern upcoming mission churches within a wider Pentecostal churches fraternity. The total population which comprises of all the staff members of CITAM headquarters was studied. The staff members include both the clergy and the professionals. Data was collected using questionnaires and interviews. Secondary data was also used. The data was then analysed using both qualitative and quantitative methods. The findings revealed that indeed church employees are expected to perform in unique working conditions including working over the weekends and long hours. Subsequently, there is a preference to recruit employees from the same church leading to faith based discrimination in recruitment. Based on the findings, it was recommended that there should be a balance between recruitment of the church members and members of other denominations but with the two thirds rule strictly adhered to. There also should be professionalism and that volunteerism should not be imposed. The non-members should not be required to work on Sundays or on the days when they should be worshiping in their own churches.