Effects of House Fellowships on the Spiritual Growth of Members: A Case Study of Parklands Baptist Church, Westlands, Nairobi County

Abstract Purpose: In Kenya, the lack of knowledge on the importance of house group fellowship on spiritual development and growth has become very prominent despite the increasing number of denominations in the country. Guided by the biblical learning from the book of Hosea 4:6 which expounds that, “People perish due to lack of knowledge’, individuals have been affected by spiritual ignorance leaving society in an unsafe spot where the devil can easily deceive and manipulate them. Despite this increasing growth of house fellowships, there is also a notable increase in cases of inconsistency, lack of commitment; fear, sin, individual relationships, busyness, and ignorance of the things of God that have continued to escalate from time to time. The purpose of this research work was to assess the effects of house group fellowship on the spiritual growth of members of Parkland Baptist Church Westlands-Nairobi County. Methods: The study was conducted among various house groups within the church. The research employed both qualitative and quantitative research design. Primary data was collected using questionnaires and oral interviews with members and leaders of the various house groups as well as pastors. The interviews were guided by the research questions while secondary data was derived from online sources: Journals, books, and websites. The collected data was analyzed using a statistical package for social sciences. Results: The findings from the analyzed data were displayed using frequency distribution, percentage tables, and pie charts. The results established a positive relationship between good leadership, interpersonal relationships, communal worship, and spiritual development. Results indicated that there was a positive relationship between spiritual growth and common shared interest between the house fellowship members as well as the member’s culture. Implication: The study recommends that to boast spiritual growth, leaders in the house fellowship need to allow their members to express their views in a free environment. Further, house fellowship as well as church leadership should support and allow their members to use their talents, gifts, and skills to serve both in the church and house fellowship group’s gatherings. Also, the study recommends more emphasis to be given to the issues of culture and interpersonal growth as this will contribute to spiritual growth and development of the house fellowship church which will be a win for both the worshippers and the overall church at large.