Church planting and its impact on church growth. A case Study of Glorious Overflow Ministries International.

CHAPTER ONE

INTRODUCTION

1.1 Background to the Study

Across Christian traditions, church planting—the intentional establishment of new congregations—has long been advanced as a strategic pathway for advancing the Gospel, discipling believers, and extending the social presence of the church in communities (Stetzer & Im, 2016). Historically, from the early church in the Book of Acts through to modern-day missionary movements, planting new churches has been central to Christian expansion. Missiologists and practical theologians argue that healthy, reproducing congregations tend to emerge more readily through planting than by relying solely on the expansion of existing churches (McGavran, 1990; Wagner, 1998). This emphasis underlines the conviction that multiplication, rather than mere addition, is vital to sustainable church growth.

In contemporary Africa, rapid urbanization, population mobility, and demographic shifts have created both ministry opportunities and organizational challenges. Migration patterns have dispersed populations into new areas, creating unreached or underserved communities where traditional congregations may not exist. These realities have prompted denominations and independent ministries to adopt church-planting models that are culturally sensitive, resource-aware, and missionally agile (Garrison, 2004; Balia & Kim, 2010). By planting churches in these emerging contexts, ministries ensure that the Gospel remains accessible to diverse populations and that Christian communities are embedded in local realities.

Within the Nigerian context, church planting has been particularly dynamic due to the country’s population growth and religious vitality. Cities and peri-urban settlements continue to expand, while new residential clusters and informal settlements appear at the fringes of metropolitan areas. These shifts generate fresh opportunities for contextualized ministry, local leadership development, and community outreach. More than a numerical strategy, church planting here often encompasses spiritual formation, leadership multiplication, incarnational presence in neighborhoods, and diaconal services such as education, health, livelihood support, and peacebuilding (Adeboye, 2012; Ukah, 2016). Ministries that succeed in planting new congregations often experience tangible outcomes that contribute to both the spiritual and social life of their communities.

The emphasis on church planting in Nigeria is not merely about filling pews but about holistic engagement with communities. Ministries that plant congregations often report growth not only in attendance and membership, but also in volunteer engagement, small-group systems, and missional initiatives (Schwarz, 1996; Stetzer & Bird, 2010). These elements reflect a multidimensional understanding of church growth that includes spiritual vitality, organizational health, and societal relevance. Consequently, church planting becomes both a theological imperative and a practical necessity for ministries aiming to remain relevant in an evolving social landscape.

Glorious Overflow Ministries International (GOMI) represents a contemporary example of an indigenous ministry pursuing expansion through church planting. Founded with a vision to reach both urban and semi-urban populations, GOMI has prioritized planting new congregations as a means of fulfilling its mission. In principle, church planting for a ministry such as GOMI is expected to influence growth along multiple axes: (1) quantitative growth (attendance, membership, baptisms, small groups), (2) qualitative growth (discipleship depth, spiritual vitality, leadership pipeline), and (3) organic growth (ministry multiplication, community presence, and missional partnerships). Each of these dimensions contributes to a broader and more sustainable picture of growth.

However, while the strategic logic of church planting is widely acknowledged, there remains the challenge of translating expectations into consistent outcomes. Not all church plants achieve sustainability, and not every planting initiative results in measurable growth. Factors such as leadership capacity, resource availability, contextual fit, and effective discipleship systems often determine whether a plant thrives or struggles. For ministries like GOMI, it becomes essential to evaluate whether their planting efforts are yielding the intended outcomes and to identify the factors that enable or constrain success.

Therefore, rigorous, context-specific research is required to move from assumptions to evidence. This study seeks to examine the relationship between church planting and church growth within Glorious Overflow Ministries International, assessing whether and how planting efforts contribute to measurable and perceivable outcomes. By focusing on both the quantitative and qualitative aspects of growth, the research aims to provide a holistic understanding of the impact of church planting on the vitality and expansion of the ministry. The insights generated will not only help GOMI refine its strategies but also contribute to broader discussions on effective church planting in Nigeria and beyond.

1.2 Statement of the Problem

Many ministries across the world, including Nigeria, adopt church planting as a principal growth strategy. The assumption is that starting new congregations naturally translates into church growth, both in terms of numbers and spiritual vitality. However, practical realities reveal that not all planting efforts yield sustained results. Some churches thrive and multiply, while others stagnate or eventually collapse. This inconsistency raises critical questions about the underlying factors that determine the effectiveness of church planting as a growth strategy.

Several challenges have been identified as reasons why church planting does not always produce expected outcomes. These include inadequate pre-plant research, which often results in poor location choices or failure to understand community needs; insufficient leader development, which leaves plants without competent leadership; and resource diffusion, where limited finances and human resources are spread too thin across multiple sites. Contextual misalignment is another recurring issue, as some plants fail to adapt to the socio-cultural realities of their environment. Additionally, weak discipleship systems and limited community engagement often result in shallow growth that cannot be sustained over time.

In the Nigerian context, these challenges are further complicated by unique socio-economic and demographic factors. Nigeria’s fluid urban and peri-urban settings are characterized by high population mobility, economic uncertainty, and stiff competition for space, attention, and resources. Ministries often face the difficulty of planting in areas where residents are highly transient, making it difficult to build stable congregations. Furthermore, the presence of numerous churches within close proximity intensifies competition, requiring ministries to demonstrate not only spiritual but also social relevance to attract and retain members.

For Glorious Overflow Ministries International (GOMI), church planting has been a central feature of its expansion strategy. While the ministry has established new congregations in different areas, the actual impact of these plants on church growth remains unclear. The central problem this study addresses is the absence of systematically gathered evidence on whether GOMI’s church-planting activities are significantly associated with measurable church growth. Relying on assumptions or anecdotal evidence without empirical validation leaves critical gaps in strategic planning and evaluation.

Another issue relates to the need to identify which specific aspects of church planting most strongly contribute to growth. While planting generally involves multiple components such as leadership development, small-group systems, outreach models, and location strategies, not all of these carry the same weight in influencing growth outcomes. Understanding which factors matter most will enable GOMI to allocate its limited resources more effectively, prioritize impactful practices, and avoid repeating costly mistakes in less effective approaches.

Without such evidence, strategic decisions risk being based on guesswork rather than data. This can result in sub-optimal allocation of resources, missed opportunities for outreach, and an inability to build sustainable congregations. For a ministry committed to expanding its presence and impact, the lack of empirical evaluation represents a significant limitation. Therefore, this study seeks to fill that gap by systematically examining the relationship between church planting and church growth in Glorious Overflow Ministries International, thereby providing evidence-based insights for more effective ministry practice.

1.3 Aim and Objectives of the Study
To examine the impact of church planting on church growth in Glorious Overflow Ministries International.

Specific Objectives:

1. To assess the relationship between church-planting activities and quantitative indicators of church growth (e.g., attendance, membership, small groups).
2. To determine the extent to which leadership development within planting processes predicts growth outcomes.
3. To evaluate how contextual engagement (outreach, community service, and follow-up systems) mediates or moderates the relationship between church planting and growth.
4. To identify implementation challenges that constrain the effectiveness of church planting for sustained growth in GOMI.

1.4 Research Questions

The research questions are buttressed below:

1. What is the relationship between GOMI’s church-planting activities and quantitative indicators of church growth?
2. How does leadership development in the planting process influence growth outcomes?
3. In what ways do contextual engagement and discipleship systems shape the effectiveness of church planting for growth?
4. What operational challenges limit the impact of church planting on growth in GOMI?

1.5 Research Hypothesis

The hypothetical statement of the study is buttressed below:

H0: Church planting has no significant impact on church growth in Glorious Overflow Ministries International.

H1: Church planting has a significant impact on church growth in Glorious Overflow Ministries International.

1.6 Significance of the Study

This study is significant to the field of practical theology and missiology as it provides empirical evidence from the Nigerian ministry context. While global literature has long emphasized the importance of church planting in advancing the mission of the church, limited scholarly attention has been given to its contextual application in Africa, particularly Nigeria. By examining the case of Glorious Overflow Ministries International (GOMI), this study enriches existing church-growth scholarship with context-specific findings. Such contributions ensure that African realities are not overlooked in broader discussions about effective mission strategies, thereby strengthening the global body of knowledge (Balia & Kim, 2010; Ukah, 2016).

Beyond its academic value, the study carries strategic importance for GOMI itself. Ministries often face critical decisions on where, how, and when to plant new congregations, yet these decisions are sometimes made without sufficient evidence. The findings of this research will enable GOMI to make data-driven choices about its church-planting initiatives. Specifically, the study will highlight the competencies required of planters, the role of discipleship systems, and the importance of support structures such as small groups and follow-up processes. With this evidence, GOMI will be better positioned to maximize the effectiveness of its planting efforts and sustain long-term growth.

The study also has implications for policy formulation and training among church leaders and ministry networks. Denominational leaders and independent ministries often struggle with assessing planter readiness, determining suitable locations, and allocating resources effectively. Insights from this research may serve as a framework for developing guidelines on planter assessment, location analysis, budget planning, and continuous coaching. In addition, theological seminaries and training institutes may adopt the findings to refine their curricula for preparing future church planters, thereby equipping them with practical, evidence-based skills for ministry.

From a community development perspective, the study demonstrates how church planting can be more than just numerical expansion. By identifying effective practices for contextual engagement, the research will underscore the potential of church plants to holistically serve their neighborhoods. Ministries can draw lessons on how to combine evangelism with social initiatives such as education, healthcare, poverty alleviation, and peacebuilding. This dual role enhances the relevance of church planting within society, ensuring that congregations not only grow spiritually but also contribute meaningfully to the welfare of their communities.

Furthermore, the findings will be beneficial to other ministries beyond GOMI that are engaged in or considering church planting. Lessons derived from this case study may serve as transferable knowledge to similar contexts within Nigeria and across Africa. By shedding light on challenges, best practices, and success factors, the research offers a roadmap for ministries seeking to replicate effective planting strategies. In this way, the study extends its value from a single case to a broader spectrum of practitioners and stakeholders.

Finally, the study has personal and missional significance for future researchers and practitioners in the field of Christian ministry. It opens new avenues for research into the relationship between church planting and church growth, particularly in contexts where empirical studies are scarce. By bridging the gap between theological ideals and practical realities, this research not only strengthens the academic discipline but also provides actionable insights for ministry leaders. Thus, the study contributes simultaneously to scholarship, practice, and the advancement of the mission of the church.

1.7 Scope of the Study

The study focuses on GOMI’s church-planting initiatives within Nigeria (and, where data permit, any cross-border plants), covering a recent five-to-seven-year window to capture both early and stabilization phases of the plants. Outcomes will be assessed using available organizational records (attendance, membership, groups, baptisms/confirmations where tracked) and structured respondent data (leaders, workers, and congregants). While the study examines both quantitative and qualitative dimensions of growth, emphasis is placed on indicators consistently recorded across plants to enable reliable comparison.

1.8 Delimitation of the Study

The study does not compare GOMI to other denominations or ministries, nor does it evaluate doctrinal distinctives. It focuses on organizational and missional processes related to planting and growth. External macro-factors (e.g., national economic shifts) will be acknowledged but not exhaustively modeled beyond their plausible influence on local outcomes.

1.9 Limitations of the Study

Possible limitations include incomplete or inconsistent archival data, recall bias in self-reported measures, and variability in record-keeping practices across plants. Time and resource constraints may limit the number of sites included. To mitigate these issues, the study will employ triangulation (archival data + surveys/interviews), standardized instruments, and data-quality checks.

GOMI.

1.10 Operational Definitions of Key Terms

• Church Planting: The structured process of launching a new congregation with identifiable leadership, regular worship, discipleship systems, and community engagement.
• Church Growth (Quantitative): Increases in average weekly attendance, formal membership, small-group participation, and sacramental/ordinance counts as recorded by the church.
• Leadership Development: Planned activities that identify, train, coach, and deploy leaders for new and existing congregations.
• Contextual Engagement: Outreach, social action, and relational practices tailored to the cultural, socioeconomic, and spatial realities of the plant’s community.
• Multiplication: The capacity of a congregation to reproduce ministries, small groups, or new congregations.

1.11 Profile of the Study Context (Brief Note)

Glorious Overflow Ministries International is an indigenous Christian ministry operating congregations in Nigeria and possibly beyond. Detailed organizational profile (founding year, governance structure, geographical spread, and planting timeline) will be documented in Chapter Three using official records and key-informant interviews. This ensures accuracy and protects against assumptions or data gaps.

1.12 Organization of the Study

• Chapter One: Introduction, background, problem statement, objectives, questions, hypothesis, significance, scope, limitations, framework, and definitions.
• Chapter Two: Review of related literature (theological, missiological, organizational) on church planting and church growth.
• Chapter Three: Methodology—research design, population and sample, instruments, validity and reliability, data collection, and analysis plan.
• Chapter Four: Data presentation, analysis, and hypothesis testing.
• Chapter Five: Summary, conclusions, and recommendations for practice and further research.