The Worship Battle: Reaching Generations Z and Alpha in American-based Nigerian Pentecostal Churches
Date
4-2022
Department
School of Music
Degree
Doctor of Worship Studies (DWS)
Chair
James Siddons
Keywords
Generations Z, Generations Alpha, American-based Nigerian Pentecostal Churches, Young Adults, Young Church Seekers, Retaining the Younger Generations
Disciplines
Christianity | Counseling | History of Christianity | Religion
Recommended Citation
Folami, Charles O., "The Worship Battle: Reaching Generations Z and Alpha in American-based Nigerian Pentecostal Churches" (2022). Doctoral Dissertations and Projects. 3481.
https://digitalcommons.liberty.edu/doctoral/3481
Abstract
Despite great strides by Nigerian Pentecostal pastors to bring worship values, concepts, practices, and behaviors to establish and lead churches in the United States, they have been unsuccessful in retaining or reaching the young adults, specifically Generations Z and Alpha. Nigerian Pentecostal pastors have produced many followers and churches, capturing Nigerian immigrants in their locality. Their congregations have heavily focused on adults with little or no succession plan. This study examines existing literature on African Pentecostal pastors' success in America and their operations in connecting with adult immigrants, which is unsuccessful in connecting and retaining Generations Z and Alpha. Guided by existing literature on African Pentecostal pastors based in America, this qualitative study is based on interviewing ten participants belonging to Generations Z and Alpha to identify perspectives that have not yet been explored and documented concerning the lives of Generations Z and Alpha and Nigerian Pentecostal pastors based in America. This study adopts the qualitative methodology to explore leadership style, technology, and mentorship perspectives, to illustrate the gap between Nigerian Pentecostal pastors based in America and Generations Z and Alpha, and depicts emerging themes. Considering the accomplishments of American-based Nigerian Pentecostal pastors to establish their mission through the establishment of churches, this study will serve as a solution source to reaching and retaining Generations Z and Alpha in American-based Nigerian Pentecostal churches. In addition, this study will create a pathway to the generational sustainability of the mission. Thus, these themes and implications are discussed in the chapters.
