Towards effective strategies for growing viable churches in rural areas: a Tzaneen case study

Abstract

Towards effective strategies for growing viable churches in rural areas is a case study based in Tzaneen, Limpopo Province of South Africa. The lifestyle of the people in this part of the world is characterized by poverty, unemployment, and diseases such as HIV/Aids. Very few people experience the luxury of being employed. However, the community in the area is quite religious in that there are several denominations in and around Tzaneen. Amongst the churches, are the Seventh-Day Adventists in the Mopani district that seeks to realize membership growth. The literature review of the study uses two biblical passages; Isaiah 61:1-2 and Luke 4:16-21, to further establish what other scholars consider useful when planning strategies for growing viable churches. The study focuses on Tzaneen as context for missionary work and presents the challenges and opportunities for planting and growing churches in rural areas. Therefore, the study's purpose is to draw the attention of missionary leaders as they plan strategies for planting and growing healthy churches. The empirical research was conducted in the area of Tzaneen, using both quantitative and qualitative research methods to gather data. Members of the Seventh-day Adventist Church in the Mopani district were requested to participate in this research study. Three churches were sampled with 42 people participating in the survey, of which their participation through interviews and responding to a questionnaire is presented in this research.