The Moderating Effect of Inspirational Motivation on the Relationship between Succession Planning and Stability of Evangelical Churches in Nairobi City County, Kenya

Abstract

Leadership in churches has gained traction in recent years across the globe, particularly with regard to how decisions are made, and what leadership models to adopt that would both promote ministerial work and build a strong congregation. This study aimed to establish the moderating effect of inspirational motivation on the relationship between succession planning and the stability of Evangelical churches in Nairobi, Kenya. The study employed the use of a pragmatic research philosophy. The target population for this study constituted 300 Evangelical churches in Nairobi County, Kenya, with a total of 1200 leaders. Each church has a Presiding Bishop or General Overseer, the General Secretary, the Senior Pastor, and a Senior Deacon from the various church organizations who formed the respondents for the study. A sample size of 20% of the target population of 300 registered church organizations giving a total of 60 church organizations. In the 60 church organizations, there were 60 Presiding Bishops / General Overseers and 60 General Secretaries. Besides, there were 2 Senior Pastors and 2 Senior Deacons or elders conveniently sampled from each of the 60 church organizations, making a total of 360 leaders. Data was collected using a questionnaire that contained both structured and semi-structured questions. Correlation analysis and linear regression analysis were performed to assess the moderating effect of inspirational motivation on succession planning and Evangelical church stability, using SPSS version 27. The findings of the study indicated the existence of a positive and significant correlation between leadership succession planning, inspirational motivation, and church stability. According to the study, inspirational motivation has a moderating effect on the relationship between succession planning and the stability of the Evangelical Churches in Nairobi City County, Kenya.