Relational Factors in Leadership Practices in Nigerian Churches: A Case Study of The Redeemed Christian Church of God and The Nigerian Baptist Convention

Leadership is central to everything that happens in a group, and the leader is held responsible for the group’s success or failure concerning achieving the set objectives. One of the realities followers anticipate in leadership is the degree of proven effectiveness in handling the group’s affairs. The type of relationship structure established within the group determines how far and well the organization goes. This research investigated the relational factors in leadership practices in Nigerian churches with a focus on two denominations, viz The Redeemed Christian Church of God (a frontline Pentecostal Church with the highest record of branches in Nigeria) and The Nigerian Baptist Convention (an evangelical denomination that has lived more than 100 years with many branches in Nigeria). It addressed the problem of the relationship between leadership and followership within the church context employing the new psychology of leadership theory proposed by Alexander Haslam and tried to determine the extent of its practice and applicability within the ecclesiastical soil of Nigeria. The objectives of the research are fourfold viz: to identify leadership factors responsible for the stability of the Baptist denomination and the steady multiplication of the Redeemed Church; to assess the visibility of the new psychology of leadership in the two churches, to critically engage the new psychology of leadership to identify its strength and weaknesses; and to evaluate the four pillars of Haslam to harness its strength for more effective leadership in the Nigerian Baptist Convention and the Redeemed Christian Church of God. Literature from leadership scholars and theories were interacted with to create a valid theoretical framework for the research. The scholars’ arguments about the meanings and practices of leadership were used to form the foundation of the research. The research interacted with the views of Bass, Kouzes and Posner, Northouse and Yukl as primary sources for this research among other experts on the broad subject. Chapter two discussed leadership as a concept. The different perspectives of scholars in their efforts to define the concept were presented along with what a person’s personality may contribute to leadership. Haslam et al. suggested four leadership engagement rules in the new psychology of leadership. They viewed that leaders need to be “in-group prototypes”, “in-group champions”, “entrepreneurs of identity”, and “embedders of identity”. These four cardinal rules/pillars of the work of Haslam et al. were used to suggest actions that could make the leadership experience more beneficial to the Church context. The suggestions were focused on what the leaders, potential leaders, and followers can do as they play their parts responsibly as in-group members. Findings from the study reveal a high degree of relationship between leaders and followers within the denominations based on leadership practice. This accounts for the exceptional stability and growth patterns that distinguish the denominations from others on the ecclesiastical soil of Nigeria. Leaders are perceived to be effective when they identify with the group and motivate the group members to achieve set goals. Followers also have a stronger sense of belonging when they are involved in the day-to-day life of the group, and their commitments are assured.