THE EVANGELICAL STRATEGIES FOR CHURCH GROWTH: THE ROMANCATHOLIC ARCHDIOCESE OF BENIN IN FOCUS

The study appraises the mechanism for growth in the Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Benin City. This has become necessary given the current challenges which confront the Church. For instance, of concern to the Church is the exploits of Pentecostal groups in the area which though latecomers to the mission field have outstripped the Catholic Church in congregation size, visibility and possibly spirituality. The Roman Catholic Church must therefore reinvent its extant evangelization strategies and embrace perceived areas of Pentecostal strength and vitality (which are espoused in the study) if it must compete favourably with other actors on the mission field. This paper is a modest input into this needed adjustment. The method adopted is historical and phenomenological, with the utilization of books, internet sources, journals etc. One of the many findings is that the Roman Catholic Church had underrated Pentecostal groups to its peril as not a few Pentecostal members have been drawn from the Catholic Church. The Roman Catholic Church in Benin City must wake up from its slumber and complacency. Otherwise, the prophecy of Jesus Christ that the first shall be the last might be fulfilled in Benin City. This research recommends amongst others that there is need for the Archdiocese to set up an inculturation monitoring committee which will ensure that church regulations on inculturation are not breached, also the Catholic faithful should be educated on the biblical foundation of its doctrine, and create opportunity for an alliance with agencies equipped with the task of poverty alleviation.