Economic Barriers to Church Growth in the Evangelical Lutheran Church in Tanzania: Evidence from Morogoro Diocese

This article examined economic barriers reported to constrain church growth in the Evangelical Lutheran Church in Tanzania, with specific focus on Morogoro Diocese. The study used a mixed-methods concurrent triangulation cross-sectional design and involved 121 participants, comprising 110 church members and 11 key informants from Maseyu and Gezaulole congregations and their affiliated outstations. Questionnaire data were analysed in SPSS version 25 using frequencies and percentages, while interview data were transcribed and organised thematically according to the study objective. Low income from donations and tithes was reported by 42 respondents (34.7%), limited market access for agricultural products by 31 (25.6%), and poor infrastructure by 24 (19.8%). In addition, 68 respondents (56.2%) perceived the barriers as strongly weakening financial stability, while 66 respondents (54.5%) identified agriculture as the economic activity most affected. Community service programmes were the service area most frequently reported as constrained, at 47.1%. Interview accounts linked these patterns with unstable income, limited capital, weak market access, inadequate planning and limited management skills. The findings represent respondent perceptions within two congregational settings and do not establish causal effects or the monetary size of losses because audited financial, agricultural revenue and service expenditure records were not analysed. The article recommends measurable income diversification, agricultural record keeping, stronger financial reporting, targeted management training and structured partnerships.

economic barriers, church economic growth, financial sustainability, resource mobilisation, ELCT, Morogoro Diocese

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