Full Project – FUNCTIONS OF THE LAITY IN IMPLEMENTING THE GREAT COMMISSION QUESTIONNAIRE FOR MEMBERS AND CLERGIES OF THE ASSEMBLIES OF GOD CHRUCH, UYO-EAST DISTRICT

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Functions of the Laity in Implementing the Great Commission Questionnaire for Members and Clergies of the Assemblies of God Chruch, Uyo-East District

ABSTRACT

The study examines the functions of the laity in implementing the Great Commission within the Assemblies of God Church, Uyo-East District. The research focused on exploring the financial contributions, evangelistic participation, discipleship responsibilities, and challenges confronting the laity in fulfilling their roles. Guided by the biblical mandate of Matthew 28:19–20, the study adopted a descriptive survey design, with data collected through structured questionnaires administered to both members and clergy of the district. A five-point Likert scale was used to measure responses to key variables, ensuring reliability and clarity in data interpretation. Findings revealed that the laity makes substantial financial contributions to support evangelism, including funding church programs, sponsoring missionary activities, and providing resources for outreach. In terms of participation, the laity actively engages in gospel propagation through personal witnessing, community outreach, and support for organized church crusades. The study also highlighted the critical role of the laity in follow-up and discipleship of new converts, especially through mentoring, home fellowship, and counseling. However, challenges such as inadequate training, financial constraints, and lack of motivation hinder their effectiveness in mission work. The study concludes that the growth and expansion of the Assemblies of God Church in Uyo-East District depend significantly on lay participation. Strengthening the capacity of the laity through training, financial empowerment, and spiritual motivation is crucial to enhance their effectiveness. The research underscores that the Great Commission is a collective responsibility, and the empowerment of the laity remains vital for the holistic fulfillment of the church’s mission mandate.

CHAPTER ONE

INTRODUCTION

1.1 Background of the Study

Before His ascension, Jesus Christ gave the church a clear mandate known as the Great Commission, which is the responsibility of spreading the gospel and making disciples of all nations. The Bible records in Matthew 28:16–20 (KJV):

“Then the eleven disciples went away into Galilee, into a mountain where Jesus had appointed them. And when they saw him, they worshipped him: but some doubted. And Jesus came and spake unto them, saying, All power is given unto me in heaven and in earth. Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost: Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you: and, lo, I am with you alway, even unto the end of the world.”

Scholars have emphasized the urgency and action-oriented nature of this mandate. Lee-Print (2013) noted that the verbs “go,” “make,” “baptize,” and “teach” point to an active and continuous process of discipleship. Similarly, Bonhoeffer (2010) described the Great Commission as a direct order from Christ, stressing that “Christianity without the living Christ is inevitably Christianity without discipleship.”

Geiger et al. (2014) further argued that the central purpose of the church is to make disciples of Jesus Christ. A critical issue, however, has been the question of who is responsible for fulfilling this commission: is it the clergy alone, or does it extend to the laity? This question brings to the forefront the role of the laity in Christian ministry.

According to the Oxford English Dictionary (2018), the term laity refers to the non-ordained members of the church. Beer (2015) described them as individuals who are neither bishops nor ordained ministers but active members of the congregation. Bassey (2015) also recognized the laity as an indispensable body within the church, engaging in communication, fellowship, and service. In the Assemblies of God Church, members are broadly classified into clergy (ordained ministers) and laity (non-ordained members).

Recent developments within many churches, including the Assemblies of God, have placed greater responsibility on the laity in evangelism and discipleship. Bill (2015) questioned whether the clergy alone have the exclusive right to implement the Great Commission or whether the laity has an equally significant role. Bonhoeffer (2009) asserted that the laity actively supports the Great Commission in three key ways: financing evangelism, engaging in direct evangelistic outreach, and providing follow-up for new converts.

Financial support is a major function of the laity. Through tithes, offerings, and contributions, members provide resources to facilitate evangelism. These finances are essential for procuring vehicles, public address systems, and other materials necessary for missionary work.

Another crucial role of the laity is the active propagation of the gospel. Benholf (2012) emphasized that evangelism is not the exclusive responsibility of the clergy but a collective task in which laity play a vital role as “fishers of men.” In Assemblies of God churches, lay members often participate in evangelistic outreaches, house-to-house witnessing, and community crusades.

In addition, the laity plays a central role in follow-up ministry. They assist new converts by mentoring them, providing discipleship training, and helping them navigate challenges associated with the new Christian life. This ensures that those won to Christ are firmly rooted in the faith and do not backslide.

It is therefore clear that the laity plays indispensable roles in implementing the Great Commission alongside the clergy. Their involvement is not only biblical but also practical for effective church growth and sustainability.

1.2 Statement of the Problem

The Great Commission is a universal mandate given by Christ without restricting it to a particular group. However, many churches have continued to operate under the assumption that evangelism is primarily the responsibility of ordained ministers. This mindset has limited the involvement of the laity in fulfilling the Great Commission.

In contemporary times, the Assemblies of God Church, like many others, faces challenges such as dwindling commitment, insufficient follow-up of new converts, and inadequate financial resources for evangelism. In addition, some laity members remain passive, leaving the bulk of the responsibility for evangelism to the clergy.

This has raised concerns about whether the Great Commission can be effectively implemented without the active participation of the laity. The present study, therefore, seeks to examine the specific functions of the laity in the Assemblies of God Church, Uyo-East District, and how their contributions enhance the fulfillment of the Great Commission.

1.3 Objectives of the Study

The main objective of this study is to investigate the functions of the laity in implementing the Great Commission in the Assemblies of God Church, Uyo-East District.

The specific objectives are to:

Examine the financial contributions of the laity towards evangelism.
Assess the role of the laity in propagating the gospel through evangelistic activities.
Investigate the follow-up responsibilities of the laity in discipleship and mentoring of new converts.
Explore the challenges facing the laity in carrying out their evangelistic functions.

1.4 Research Questions

The study will be guided by the following research questions:

What are the financial roles of the laity in supporting evangelism?
In what ways do the laity participate in gospel propagation in the Assemblies of God Church?
How does the laity engage in follow-up and discipleship of new converts?
What challenges hinder the laity from effectively implementing the Great Commission?

1.5 Significance of the Study

This study is significant in several ways:

To the Church:It will highlight the indispensable role of the laity in evangelism and encourage Assemblies of God churches to empower lay members for more effective ministry.
To the Laity:It will serve as a motivational tool for lay members to actively engage in evangelism, discipleship, and financial stewardship.
To Theologians and Scholars:The study will contribute to theological discussions on the balance of responsibilities between clergy and laity in implementing the Great Commission.
To Future Researchers:The findings will provide a reference point for further studies on church growth, evangelism, and the role of non-ordained members in ministry.

1.6 Scope of the Study

The study is limited to the Assemblies of God Church, Uyo-East District, Akwa Ibom State. It focuses on both clergy and laity, with particular emphasis on the laity’s functions in evangelism, financial contributions, and follow-up responsibilities in the implementation of the Great Commission.

1.7 Limitations of the Study

The study may face certain limitations such as:

Time Constraints:Limited time may restrict the depth of data collection.
Financial Constraints:Inadequate funds may affect the ability to cover all churches in the district.
Response Bias:Some respondents may be reluctant to give honest responses due to personal or doctrinal considerations.

Despite these limitations, the study is expected to provide reliable insights into the role of the laity in the Great Commission.

1.8 Definition of Terms

Great Commission:The command of Jesus Christ to His disciples to evangelize and make disciples of all nations (Matt. 28:19–20).
Laity:Non-ordained members of the church who actively participate in ministry and church life.
Clergy:Ordained ministers who lead and oversee the spiritual affairs of the church.
Evangelism:The act of proclaiming the gospel of Jesus Christ with the aim of winning souls.
Follow-up:The process of mentoring, teaching, and supporting new converts to become mature disciples.

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Full Project – FUNCTIONS OF THE LAITY IN IMPLEMENTING THE GREAT COMMISSION QUESTIONNAIRE FOR MEMBERS AND CLERGIES OF THE ASSEMBLIES OF GOD CHRUCH, UYO-EAST DISTRICT

Full Project – FUNCTIONS OF THE LAITY IN IMPLEMENTING THE GREAT COMMISSION QUESTIONNAIRE FOR MEMBERS AND CLERGIES OF THE ASSEMBLIES OF GOD CHRUCH, UYO-EAST DISTRICT

CHAPTER ONE

INTRODUCTION

1.1 Background of the Study

1.2 Statement of the Problem

1.3 Objectives of the Study

1.4 Research Questions

1.5 Significance of the Study

1.6 Scope of the Study

1.7 Limitations of the Study

1.8 Definition of Terms

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