Church Organizational Structure Determining Men’s Absenteeism at PCEA Nyeri Presbytery, Nyeri County, Kenya

Abstract

Men’s participation in church has raised concerns about the sustainability of congregational engagement, spiritual leadership, and community development efforts. In recent times, churches, researchers, and religious analysts have recorded absenteeism and a declining trend in the attendance of men in the church, both on Sundays and/or weekly church activities. This study thus sought to evaluate the contribution of church structure to men’s absenteeism at the Nyeri Presbytery. The study was guided by classical secularization theory. The study employed a descriptive research design, using stratified sampling to select 131 respondents. Data was collected through questionnaires and interviews, then analyzed using descriptive and inferential statistical methods. Thematic analysis was applied to qualitative data. Quantitative data analysis entailed descriptive (percentages and means) and inferential (regression) statistical methods with the aid of Statistical Packages for Social Sciences. The qualitative data were analyzed through themes and patterns. Presentation of analyzed data was through charts, tables, and graphs alongside a discussion to enable inference, conclusion, and recommendations. The study findings indicated that the church organization structure has a positive and significant effect on the absenteeism of men in the church. Additionally, ineffective lay preaching and evangelistic approaches further contributed to disengagement. The study recommended that to address absenteeism, the church must restructure its evangelistic approach, incorporating more interactive and inclusive fellowship programs.