ISSN 2360-7998
Abstract
This study investigates the relationship between church attendance and member well-being during periods of economic hardship in Kaduna State, Nigeria. Grounded in religious coping theory and social capital perspectives, the research explores how financial crises influence congregants’ participation in church activities and how churches respond to increased socio-economic pressures. A mixed-methods design was employed, combining surveys of 420 respondents with interviews and focus group discussions drawn from selected charismatic churches, including RCCG, Winners’ Chapel, Assemblies of God, and ECWA. Findings reveal that 83.3% of respondents reported being more motivated to attend church during financial hardship, while 91.6% affirmed that church activities provided spiritual comfort during crises. Similarly, 82.1% expressed a stronger desire to participate in church programs, and 75% reported increased volunteerism as a coping strategy. However, only 40.5% could consistently contribute financially, indicating a shift from monetary giving to service-based engagement. Chi-square analyses showed significant associations between educational qualification (χ² = 18.43, p = 0.031) and church role (χ² = 10.32, p = 0.016) with attendance, while gender, age, and occupational status were not significant predictors. These findings highlight a paradox: while economic hardship increases reliance on churches as sources of hope, solidarity, and welfare, it simultaneously constrains their financial capacity and outreach potential. The study concludes that charismatic churches in Kaduna function as hybrid institutions—spiritual and social—sustaining member well-being amidst economic precarity. It recommends that church leaders adopt innovative, non-financial support systems and that policymakers strengthen economic reforms to reduce overdependence on religious institutions as welfare providers.
Keywords: Church attendance; Member well-being; Economic hardship; Charismatic churches; Religious coping; Social capital