THE SOCIO-ECONOMIC IMPACT OF CHRISTIAN FESTIVALS IN THE REDEEMED CHRISTIAN CHURCH OF GOD, NIGERIA

Abstract

The Redeemed Christian church of God observes Christian festivals like most other churches, but the religious and socio-economic implications of these festivals for RCCG members differ from other denominations. This study, therefore, investigates Christian festivals observed by RCCG with a view to determining the social impact on their members in Nigeria. The researcher employed the historical method that systematically and objectively located, evaluated and synthesised to establish facts and draw conclusions concerning past events. Focus group, survey method, participant observation, interview method and questionnaire were deployed to get desired responses from the members of RCCG. The secondary sources included relevant books, journals, encyclopedias, tapes, magazines, and the internet. Quantitative data were obtained through structured interviews of church members, while three hundred copies of the questionnaire were administered in the camp. Data were subjected to qualitative analysis and percentages. The Redeemed Christian church of God observed the Annual Convention, Holy Ghost service and Holy Ghost Congress. All these festivals take place at the church redemption camp. These festivals have a social impact on the members of RCCG. On the social impact, 75% of the respondents said they are always looking forward to the time of the festivals as their social lives changed for the better. Furthermore, 87.7% of respondents confirmed that members came to meet new people to boost their businesses. 62.3% of respondents said members came for business ideas that would improve their lives.