Abstract

The study aims to estimate the effect, causes and probable solutions of church proliferation in Nigeria. The study was based on the analysis of fifty structured questionnaires that were distributed among people both in and out of Churches of different denominations using purposive sampling technique method. Statistical descriptive method was used to analyze the information collected from the respondents. The result of the study reveals that the economic downturn being experienced in the nation causing lack of job and hardship is the major cause of church proliferation in Nigeria, and that church proliferation has overall positive impact. However, the negative side of it is more acute and has covered up the good side of it which makes people to see church proliferation as a menace to the nation.

Key words: Church, church proliferation, springing up, impact, church planting, alarming rate, church growth, general overseer, business organization, livelihood, congregation, pentecostal, stomach pastors, evangelism.