Evaluating Pastoral and Administrative Management Practices and Their Impact on Church Growth in Abundant Grace Baptist Association, Lagos, Nigeria

Abstract

Churches in urban African contexts increasingly face organisational complexities that require more than spiritual oversight. Despite growing administrative demands, many pastors lack structured managerial preparation, creating a gap between awareness of management principles and their effective implementation. This study aimed to examine the relationship between pastoral and administrative management practices and church growth within the Abundant Grace Baptist Association, Lagos, Nigeria. Anchored in Henri Fayol’s management theory, the study employed a mixed-methods design involving 235 survey respondents and 15 in-depth interviews from 18 churches. Quantitative data were analysed using descriptive statistics, correlation, and multiple regression analysis. Findings revealed high awareness of administrative principles but limited practical application. Financial management practices significantly predicted financial stability (B = .236, p < .001), while leadership training significantly predicted both financial stability (B = .411, p < .001) and membership growth (B = .279, p < .001). Administrative application alone did not independently predict church financial stability or membership growth. The study concludes that leadership development serves as a critical mechanism through which management competence translates into sustainable church performance. It recommends integrating structured leadership training and financial governance frameworks into pastoral formation and denominational policy.