THE IMPACT OF INCLUSIVE SERVANTHOOD ON CHURCH GROWTH; A CASE STUDY OF TANZANIAN CHURCH

 

ABSTRACT: This study investigated the impact of inclusive servanthood on church growth, with particular reference to selected churches across Tanzania. Inclusive servanthood is understood as a Christ-centered leadership and ministry model rooted in humility, compassion, selflessness, empowerment and love-values demonstrated by Jesus Christ throughout His earthly ministry. This model aligns with Christ’s Great Commission, grounded in Matthew 28:18–20, which continues to guide the Church today. It emphasizes service to humanity rather than mere church attendance. Servanthood, therefore, forms the foundation of true discipleship and effective evangelism, reflecting the biblical mandate of Jesus Christ to “make disciples of all nations.” The research was guided by three main objectives: (1) to explore members’ and leaders’ understanding of inclusive servanthood in relation to church growth, (2) to assess the relationship between inclusive servanthood and effective evangelism, and (3) to identify the major factors influencing people to join and remain in churches.  A descriptive research design was employed, combining both quantitative and qualitative approaches. Data were collected using open- and close-ended questionnaires and semi-structured interviews from 40 respondents across 24 churches in Tanzania. The participants included 18 church leaders (bishops, overseers, founders, coordinators, senior pastors, and elders), 9 church servants (secretaries, children’s teachers, project workers, intercessors, and ushers), and 13 ordinary members. Secondary data were obtained from relevant handbooks, theological and academic publications. Quantitative data were analyzed using SPSS version 27, applying Pearson’s correlation coefficient, while descriptive statistics such as frequencies, percentages, and charts summarized the findings. The results revealed a positive correlation (r = 0.181) between inclusive servanthood and church growth, signifying that while the relationship is modest, inclusive servanthood plays a key role in shaping the culture, accountability, and evangelistic effectiveness of the church. Most respondents (over 90%) agreed that inclusive servanthood promotes effective evangelism, strengthens discipleship, and enhances member retention. However, the findings also showed that many churches lack a formalized model or documented standards for inclusive servanthood, with practices often applied informally. Limited awareness, leadership resistance, and inadequate training were identified as barriers to full implementation. The study concludes that church growth is multidimensional, but inclusive servanthood remains a vital determinant of sustainable expansion, unity, and accountability. Where leaders model Christ-like service and empower all members to participate in ministry, the church experiences increased effectiveness, transparency and community engagement. Conversely, weak or authoritarian leadership undermines evangelism and contributes to stagnant growth. The research recommends that churches institutionalize inclusive servanthood by developing documented models, training programs, and evaluation committees to monitor adherence. Leaders should embody humility, transparency, and accountability while encouraging shared responsibility among members. Moreover, youth and family engagement, mentorship programs, participatory evangelism, and digital ministry expansion were identified as practical strategies for enhancing church growth. Implications of the study suggest that church growth can be significantly strengthened through contextualized leadership approaches that integrate servanthood with evangelistic practice. A values-based model of inclusive servanthood is essential for fostering unity, spiritual maturity, and sustainable ministry outcomes. Finally, the study recommends further research across a broader regional scope, including East and Central African contexts, and comparative studies between Pentecostal and non-Pentecostal traditions. Future research should also explore moderating factors such as church finances, leadership structures, and socio-economic influences on servanthood practices. In conclusion, inclusive servanthood is not merely a leadership model but a biblical mandate central to the mission of the Church.

Contact DR RECKNALD through E-Mail: recknald@gmail.com or +255755286021 for more details on this study.

#ARE YOU; A MARTHA OR A MARY?

Je, wewe ni Martha au Mariam?,  Jiulize.......

Katika biblia, Luka 10:38-42 inaeleza vizuri wasifu wa hawa wawili namna walivyojiweka kwa Bwana na matarajio yake kwao na kisha kuwaambia la msingi kwao kulitenda ktk yote pale yeye akiwepo kama fungu lililo jema zaidi.

Biblia inatuonyesha YESU alipokuwa karibu kuingia nyumbani mwao; MARTHA alikuwa wa kwanza kumlaki na kumkaribisha.

YESU alipokuwa kati yao: ni MARIAM ndiye aliyeketi miguuni mwake Yesu kujifunza na kusikiliza maneno ya YESU.

MARTHA alikuwa akihangaika kwa utumishi mwingi, kusumbuka na kufadhaika kwa ajili ya vitu vingi uweponi wa Bwana huku akimwacha YESU na umbu lake (na kama kumuandalia chakula jibu la YESU ni Yohana 4:31-34).

YESU aliweka wazi na kufunguka msingi wa yote unaotakiwa na wote; ambao ni mmoja tu kukaa karibu naye YESU, kumkaribia yeye huku moyo umemfungulia. Fungu hilo jema ndiyo wakina MARIAM huchagua lidumu kwao.

Ndiye YESU mwenyewe aliyesema kwa lile jambo jema alitendalo kila itakapohubiriwa injili yake ulimwenguni kwote litakumbukwa vizazi hata vizazi na kutajwa kwa kumbukumbu lake, sasa sio la MARTHA bali la MIRIAM; kwa maana wakati MARTHA akitumikia (kuserve supper) karamu ile ya mwisho waliyomwandalia kama familia ya Simoni huko Bethania siku 6 kabla ya pasaka, yeye MIRIAM alitwaa ratli ya marhamu ya nardo safi ile chupa ya Alabasta yenye marashi ya thamani kubwa aliyoinunua kwa kujilimbikizia pesa aliyopata kwa mwaka mzima kama ya USD 17,000's/TZS 44M's kwa sasa, huyo alitambua thamani ya Bwana maishani mwake, akammiminia marashi hayo yote YESU kichwani pake na kumpakaa miguu na kisha kumfuta kwa nywele zake mpaka nyumba nzima ikanukia marashi hayo, naye YESU akasema kama nabii kwa waliopinga tendo hilo kuwa ametenda lililo jema wamwache alitende kuuandaa mwili wake kwa maziko (Yohana 12:1-8; Mathayo 26:6-13; Marko 14:3-9).

Hivyo huu ni msingi kwa mambo yote ya Mungu kipaumbele kuwa sio ile kazi yake Mungu uitendayo bali kuwa karibu na Bwana Mungu wa hiyo kazi ili uitende vizuri kwa wepesi na kirahisi zaidi.

Tunaona utofauti baina yao MARTHA na MARIAM pia hata wakati wa Kifo cha Lazaro kaka yao:

Yohana 11:20-27

YESU alipofika uweponi mwao karibu nao, MARTHA pekee yake kutoka msibani alikuwa wa kwanza kumlaki.

Neno alilolisema MARTHA kwa YESU "KAMA UNGALIKUWAPO HAPA NDUGU YANGU HANGALIKUFA". Kauli ile namna alivyoisema, imani yake ya kusitasita na mazoea yake kwa Bwana haikuleta matokeo mazuri bali iliprovoke/ilileta mjadala badala ya kuleta suluhisho kutoka kwa Bwana.

Yohana 11:28-44

Ni MARTHA pamoja na imani yake ya kuyumbayumba ndiye aliyeenda kumuita MARIAM umbu lake faraghani kufaidi uwepo wa Bwana akisema YESU yupo anakuita. Mahali palepale alipokutana na MARTHA ndipo YESU alikuwepo wala hakuondoka; anga lilelile, uwepo uleule, spoti ileile, mazingira yaleyale MARIAM akamwendea upesi. Lakini kwa moyo wa MARIAM ulivyokuwa alivyotoka msibani kwenda uweponi mwa Bwana si pekee bali wote waliokuwa naye walimfuata. MARIAM alipofika kwa Bwana, na kumwona YESU; ALIANGUKA MIGUUNI PAKE (Unyenyekevu wake ule ulikuwa mkuu sana na moyo uliofunguka wenye tumaini la kufungua mbingu na kumuona Mungu huku na imani thabiti kwa Bwana YESU isiyoyumbishwa na chochote), kwa huzuni na moyo ule wa imani uliofunguka kwa Bwana huku akiwa na matarajio ya matokeo mema. MARIAM akainena kauli ileile kama ya MARTHA kwa namna yake kuwa "KAMA UNGALIKUWAPO HAPA NDUGU YANGU HANGALIKUFA".  YESU alipoona huzuni yake juu ya jambo lile na kulia kwake kwa uchungu kama mwenye mzigo mkuu ktk msiba ule kwa namna alivyoinena kauli ile kuliko hata MARTHA alivyojipresent/ alivyojihudhurisha kwake Bwana, kwa maana kwa kulia kwake MARIAM kwa uchungu kuliprovoke/kuliibua kilio kikuu hata kwa wale waliokuwa wamefuatana naye. Ndipo YESU ALIUGUA ROHONI, AKAFADHAIKA ROHO YAKE. 

YESU ALILIA MACHOZI HUKU AKIUGUA NAFSINI  MWAKE, alipoona tu kaburi alimowekwa Lazaro, AKALIA KWA SAUTI KUU Lazaro, njoo huku nje, naye akafufuka na kutoka nje huku akiwa amefungwa sanda. 

Hii yote ilitokea sababu ya namna MARIAM alivyojinyenyekeza na kumheshimu YESU pasipo mazoea kwa hisia ya kweli na ya dhati moyoni mwake mbele za wote msibani kuliko MARTHA (japo naye MARTHA anasehemu yake ktk utimilifu wa jambo lile, kuachwa kwake na uwepo ule wa Mungu ktk Bwana YESU ni changamoto kuu ambayo ufalme wa mbinguni unakutana nayo hata sasa kwa wengi, wengi wapo eneo sahihi, wakati sahihi na wengine wanatumika humo ila wanakosea namna ya kuaccess vya rohoni kutoka kwake YESU kwa kutokuelewa vema namna yake ya kumpokea Roho wake Mtakatifu).

Kinamna ile MARIAM alivuta uwepo wa Mungu, aliprovoke presence ya Mungu na mbingu yake ktk Bwana Yesu kuleta matokeo yaliyoonyesha utukufu wa Mungu katika jamii yao yote. Sasa pamoja na hayo yote kutukia machoni pake MARTHA bado tunaona kutokana na mazoea yake kwa Bwana yeye alikuwa mkavu uweponi mwa Bwana YESU pasipo kuwa na imani thabiti na moyo uliofunguka; hata akaja kumwambia YESU pamoja na ufahamu aliomupa mwanzoni akasema; marehemu ananuka sasa maana amekuwa maiti kwa siku 4, kwa hatua ile Bwana YESU alimkemea kama kusema na shetani mpinzani wake (ndani ya MARTHA kwa kuwa ndiye aliyefungua mlango wa kusitasita ktk imani yake).

Jamii ya MARTHA kama wasifu wake ktk biblia ni kama Mpigadebe fulani hivi kuwaambia mwenzake ingia usafiri na gari kwa ushawishi mkubwa lakini yeye hubaki hapo hapo huku akiacha kina MARIAM wakiexperience the goodness of the journey. Ndivyo ilivyo hata katika Bwana usiwe wa jamii ya MARTHA bali kuwa kama MARIAM.

Ndipo utajua mwenyewe unao ufungua wa kuufungulia ukuu wa Mungu ndani yako utakaofurika maishani mwako na YESU yeye yupo siku zote karibu na moyo wako abisha ili ajifunue ndani yako kwa namna ya ajabu. 

Kwa hivyo ni wewe kutune ile frequency ya moyo wako vizuri kwa ile mode/mood aitakayo, namna unavyojisikia ile hali yako ya ndani ya uhitaji, ile shauku kuu ya moyo wako huku ukimuelekea yeye, ukijimimina kwake, na utakapofika hali hiyo atajisikia pia ndani yake na hakutakuwa na pingamizi kwake tena kwa namna yoyote zaidi ya kujifunua kwako yaani Mungu na mbingu yake ndani yako ktk Bwana Yesu kristo unayempokea moyoni mwako kikamilifu kupitia Roho wake ayafunue yote mema maishani mwako. 

Be MARYs AND NOT MARTHAs, brothers and sisters; enjoy God things easily🙏🏿.

#MWAKA WA KUONA _2025

 KUONA KUKUPAKO KUSHINDA

Wangapi wanajivuna kwamba Naona!! Mikono juu! (Kwa maana Yesu anasema nalikuja kwa hukumu ili wanaosema wanaona wawe vipofu na vipofu waone- Yohana 9:39), safi!!, Sasa 2025 sema "Nitatazama, Nitaona"...,  Nami nakuombea; nguvu ya kuona iongezeke ndani yako leo, kama mi niitajivyo.

Unajua ukisoma Luka 11:34 inasema; "Jicho lako ni nuru ya mwili wako. Macho yakiwa mazima huangaza mwili wako wote; lakini yakiwa mabovu, mwili wako pia utakuwa katika giza". This means pasipo kuona no direction!..

Jifunze kwa Bathromeo kuona kuna baraka kuu sana, tamani kuona, nasema tena tamani kuona (Marko 10:46-52).

Ng'ang'ana mpaka uone mwaka huu;

Wengi wanatazama, wanapepesa macho, wanaangalia lakini hawaoni, mtu awaye yote asikudanganye, kuna kuona, kuna kuangalia ni tofauti, kuona kunafaida sana, kunakupa maamuzi sahihi, kunakupa amani, kunakukombolea wakati, kunakupa kufikia malengo kwa muda mwafaka, kunayapa maisha maana, mtu anayeona anafocus ya maisha..

Hata ukisoma tena Marko 8:22-25 kuna kipofu yule wa Bethseida alipokuwa anawezeshwa na Yesu kuona akasema naona kama miti inatembea, kisha akamuwekea tena mikono machoni, ndipo alipotazama sana ule umakini ktk kutazama akaona vyote waziwazi!! (yaani ile live bila chenga). Unajua nini pasipo juhudi za kutaka kuona clear huwezi kuona, Roho wa Bwana yupo nasi yupo karibu yako ulipo, tamani sasa, nasema tamani sasa kuona, uone....

Kwenye Biblia, Yeremia anaulizwa  na Mungu, UNAONA NINI? mara aseme nimeona hiki mara nimeona kile, na alipoona Mungu akamwambia UMEONA VYEMA. (Yeremia 1:11-12). Kule kuona kuna matokeo yake, na hata Bwana akasema ninaliangalia neno langu ili nilitimize, ni kwa namna utavyoona.

Kuna kuangalia na kuona. Na ni baada ya kuangalia huja kuona. For you can't have step by looking until you see.

Sasa, its only what you see that which you can get, than what you are looking at. The mind is not settled in looking but in seeing, yaani; ni kile tu utachokiona ndicho utaweza pata, kuliko unachoangalia hapo hata akili inakuwa haijakupata na ufahamu hauwezi kukupa chochote cha kutamkwa yaani wazo ili kiumbike kwako. Kwani ni kweli unaweza ukaangalia na usione na akilini usipate kitu, lakini ulichokiona, ulishakiangalia na mind said something on that, na hakika utakipata. Unapoona ufahamu unawajibika, unapoangalia ufahamu haujui kitu bado.

Unaona pia pamoja na kumsikia Bwana, kule kuweza kuona ile ishara ya kijiti kilichowaka moto bila kuteketea, kulimpa mungu Musa aliyekuwa zaidi ya nabii uhakika na hatua, na ndipo aliweza kuwa na ujasiri wa kumuelezea Mungu kwa taifa la Israeli kule Misri pasipo hofu na hatimaye kumshinda Farao na jeshi lake lote (Kutoka 3: 2-4).

Mwamuzi Gedioni pamoja na kuonekaniwa na malaika wa Bwana na ishara ya sadaka kulambwa na moto wa mbinguni. Lakini ili awe na hakika wa kulikabiri lile jeshi kubwa la wamidiani na waamaleki waliokuwa kama mchanga wa bahari, alitaka aone ishara zaidi (Waamuzi 6:36-40), zimupe uhakika, nguvu na ujasiri, pamoja na kwamba kusikia neno la ushindi kuliipa nguvu mkono yako kwa vita, alihitaji kuona ishara zaidi za Mungu.

Unaona pia, ujasiri wa Gehazi haukutokana na kumwamini nabii Elisha sababu alikuwa bado na shaka pale jeshi kubwa la washami la mfalme Ben-hadadi lilipowazingira Israeli yote, wala haukutokana na miujiza ama ishara nyingi za Mungu zilizofanyika kupitia mkono wa bwana wake Elisha, la hasha! bali saa zile tu alipoweza kuona jeshi la malaika wa mbinguni ndipo aliposadiki sawa sawa (2 Wafalme 6:8-23).

Hivyo nawe utachokiona sasa kikufanye kuwa jasiri zaidi na uhakika zaidi, ili hatua kuu ukaiishi, nawe ukawe mshindi, nayo ahadi ya Mungu ikafanyike halisi kwako. Nguvu ya kuona iongezeke ndani yako uyaishi hayo maono, na sio kile wanachokuambia watu kuwa ndicho bali kile utachokiona kiishi hicho, amini katika hicho mpaka kitimie.

Kunacases mbili kwenye Biblia, zinazoonyesha namna takwa la kuona linaweza timizika, and that is our prayer point now. 

-> Isaya 6:1-3 anasema katika mwaka ule aliokufa Mfalme Uzia nalimwona Bwana ameketi katika kiti cha enzi,....

-> Alipotengana na Lutu tu, MUNGU akamwambia Abramu inua macho tazama/ANGALIA pande zote, nchi hii ULIYOIONA nitakupa wewe na uzao wako hata milele. Ondoka ukatembee katika nchi hii kwa marefu yake na mapana yake, maana nitakupa wewe nchi hii (Mwanzo 13:14-17).

Hitimisho:

Ahadi ni kweli ya kwamba, KWA NAMNA UTAVYOWEZA KUONA, that's means you need to strive to see crystal clear, anasema NITAKUPA WEWE NA UZAO WAKO, kuna sharti ndani ya neno so, ni lazima uyatende mapenzi ya Mungu, akipendezwa nawe hakuna kitakachozuia kukipata alichoahidi. Amina.

#GPCC

 Wachaji wa Mungu.

#YOUR DRESS CODE, YOUR VALUE!

VAZI JIPYA, VAZI RASMI, THAMANI YAKO!
When the legion was confronted, dressing code changed (Luke 8:34-35, Mark 5:1-16).
Upya, kufanikiwa rohoni kama mwilini hata kwa ishara ya vazi unalojivika pia (3 Yohana 1:2)
Ni zaidi ya kumsitiri mtu mfano Adam na Hawa, Edeni walivyositiriwa, ona pia hata kichaa akivikwa suti huweza simama sehemu ya heshima,  so, jua tu mavazi yanafaida nyingi zaidi ya udhanivyo...

Changing dressing code, is the sign that you entered new season, a sign of blessing, it's a value it shows. Even Joseph was differentiated from his brothers just by being given coat of many colours, as a sign of brightright blessings of firstborn son (Genesis 37:3). A sign of new you is given also by token of new dress code (Zechariah 3:3-5). That is a sign of new beginning, a restart on you, remember prodigal son parable (Luke 15:22-24).
This is indeed that, a new dress code shows your glory in the season, utajiona pia kama umevikwa na nguvu na uweza mpya kama vazi kiroho pia just by new dress code, it shows respect and honor in you in the way you deserve, utatofautishwa, utaangaliwa na kuangaziwa kwa upya, kutakuwa na too much expectations of those seeing you anew (Mathayo 3:4, Romans 8:19) and hatred (Genesis 37:4). Look even in the mount of transfiguration - Mt. Tabor (Luke 9:29), what was observed onto Jesus; His clothes changed in front of those seeing Him, they  saw Jesus different that day, He was uplifted higher in levels more than they used to see Him before, in their own sight He was changed just by sign shown there that of changed clothes.

Unaweza jiuliza kama mwana wa Mungu. Je' kuna umuhimu?
*Bwana_ pindo za vazi lake laijaza hekalu (Isaya 6:1), vazi linathihirisha ukuu wa mtu, lamtukuza mtu, laonyesha nafasi ya mamlaka ya mtu, jukumu la mtu.
*Malaika na mavazi (Ufunuo 15:6)

*Yoshua na mavazi mapya (Zekaria 3:1-5)

*Anayeshinda kuvikwa vazi jipya (Ufunuo 3:5)
*Vazi la sifa (Isaya 61:3)
*(Yohana 19:23); Yesu vazi lake na thamani yake.
*Vazi la Haruni (Kutoka 31:1-10; Kutoka 39:1-31)
*Ona mfano wa maharusu, they choose the best they can because it has the sign of new beginning, it marks their significant occasion of their life. It shows new them.

Dressing code inakutofautisha sana. The way you appear matters a lot in real life, hivyo kila wakati ni vizuri ujiulize nitoke vipi? That count a lot!  just for that kuna milango mingi itafunguka kwako; kama ambavyo ushetani unavutwa na machafu, pia u! nuru unavutwa na masafi na mema na thamani (fikiria thamani ya hekalu jangwani kipindi cha Musa).

*Dress code inavuta kibali cha wanadamu hata na holy ghost pia, ule utukufu among other things ni kwa ile value presented kimavazi pia.
*Vazi jipya lasababisha attention ya watu, they can suddenly stop for a second thinking about you just by a look, hata kuja kukusalimia, na kuongea na wewe.
*Vazi pia linabeba presentation ya mtu kimvuto; binti wa herodia, na mfalme herodi kuahidi kumpa hata nusu ya ufalme wake (Marko 6:22-23).
*Esta kuweza kuingia mbele za mfalme kinyume na taratibu na kupata kibali chake hata kuahidiwa nusu ya ufalme (Esta 4:16 - 5:3).
*Imagine, hata yule mwana punda aliyetakiwa kupandwa na Yesu kabla ya kutumika walimuandaa kwanza kumsafisha na kumpamba pia (Mathayo 21:7).
*Tumia dress code zako vyema kwa kupata kibali cha kupita malango ya fursa za kimafanikio na kujenga heshima yako na kuilinda.
_Yeah sure! You will be well understood by the clothes you wear, don't ignore as if it is nothing, mind how you present yourself to the world, kama ulivyotakaswa na kutengwa ndivyo ulivyotofautishwa kivyote inside out, be that way live that way and know indeed! your clothing line, that dress code you wear depicts your value, repect, honor and your glory, Hallelujah! Amen.