Journal of Sociology, Psychology and Religious

Church Finances and Leadership Conflicts in Selected Africa Inland Churches in Nairobi and Makueni Counties, Kenya

2026-02-20T10:11:17+00:00

Senior church leaders who are mostly in control of the finances govern many churches in Africa. Research shows that mismanagement of church finances often leads to church splits. It is against this backdrop that the study sought to determine the relationship between church finances and leadership conflicts in selected Nairobi and Makueni Africa Inland Churches- Kenya. Specifically, the study explored financial misappropriation and its link to leadership conflicts. The study employed an interdisciplinary approach and purposefully selected 4 churches, yielding a sample of 24 respondents. Primary data were collected using questionnaires and a semi-structured interview guide. The data were qualitatively analyzed using MS Excel and NVivo 11. The findings revealed that financial misappropriation stems from the belief that the church belongs to God and the money belongs to everybody. Withdrawing money without ratified usage also causes conflicts. Different churches had different reasons for withdrawing money from the account. Other conflicts are caused by differences in understanding of church operations and the understanding of the Word of God. Based on the study's findings, the best way to avoid leadership conflicts over financial matters is to prevent misappropriation.

Rethinking Governance in Religious Institutions: An Examination Within the Ghanaian Context

2026-03-03T15:10:22+00:00

This study investigates the applicability of corporate governance principles within religious organizations, with a specific focus on the Ghanaian church context. While traditionally conceptualized within profit-oriented enterprises, the core principles of corporate governance, such as transparency, accountability, and ethical leadership, are increasingly recognized as essential for non-profit entities, including religious institutions. This research critically examines the role of corporate governance in enhancing church administration by contrasting conventional governance frameworks with the influence of spiritual revelation on organizational management and assessing their combined impact on organizational effectiveness. The findings highlight the importance of integrating robust governance practices to foster trust and confidence among congregants and stakeholders, while also examining the unique challenges and opportunities arising from the spiritual dimension embedded in church governance. Ultimately, this work contributes to the evolving discourse on the intersection of religious principles and corporate governance within the Ghanaian ecclesiastical landscape, emphasizing the importance of aligning spiritual values with sound organizational practices for sustainable church governance.