Charismatic Leadership, Organizational Dynamics and the Growth of Independent Pentecostal Churches in Lagos Metropolis

Charismatic leadership, organizational dynamics and the growth of Independent Pentecostal churches in Lagos metropolis
This study examined the interconnections of charismatic leadership, organizational dynamics and the growth of the Independent Pentecostal churches in Lagos metropolis, Nigeria. It further discussed the processes of establishing, nurturing, and consolidation of these churches by their leaders from their inception until 2017. The study adopted Weber’s definition of charisma as referring to the special qualities attributed to a leader by the followers. The study also examined the routinization process of the charisma of the leaders and organizational structures of the selected churches and further explored the extent to which the charisma of these leaders has influenced the growth of their churches. The result of the study showed that the attribution of charisma played a major role in the emergence of the leaders of these selected Independent Pentecostal churches in Lagos metropolis. It was also discovered that the wives of these pastors have successfully taken up pastoral leadership positions alongside their husbands and are attributed charisma; indicating that charisma can be shared, an issue Max Weber overlooked. Lastly, it was discovered that though routinization of charisma has set in, these leaders have not allowed its completion. The study concluded that the interconnections of charismatic leadership and organizational dynamics, which has led the Independent Pentecostal churches to grow rapidly within three decades call for a re-evaluation of Max Weber’s thesis on charisma and routinization when applied to the African context.

Key Words: Pentecostalism, charisma, leadership, church, organization and growth.