Mwarania, Kagwiria Purity2025-02-122025-02-122024-06https://ir-library.ku.ac.ke/handle/123456789/29569A Research Project Submitted to the School of Business, Economics and Tourism in Partial Fulfilment of the Requirement for the Award of the Degree of Master of Business Administration (Strategic Management) of Kenyatta University, 15th June 2024. Supervisor James KilikaThe research aimed at evaluating the effect of servant leadership strategy on performance of evangelical churches in Kenya. The study was occasioned by the worrying concern of members decline and financial struggles due to non-commitment of church members. The main objective of the study was to evaluate the nexus between servant leadership strategies and performance of the evangelical churches in Kenya. The specific objectives analyzed leader’s ethical behavior strategy, building community strategy, empowering members strategy and authentic strategy on performance of the evangelical churches in Kenya. Servant leadership theory, goal-setting theory and institutional theory were considered in developing the theoretical foundation for this study. The empirical literature was reviewed on the relationships between the concepts of servant leadership strategy and performance. This study adopted descriptive design with a specific concentration on cross-sectional descriptive research. This study targeted a population of 174 registered churches under the EAK umbrella. The study used a stratified random sampling technique to select a sample size of 122 churches scientifically determined using the Lovin’s formula. Out of the sampled churches, the head of the church or administrative representative responded to the data collection tool. Structured questionnaires distributed by the researcher were used to collect data. The study ascertained face validity, content validity and construct validity of the data collection instrument. Content validity index of at least 0.78 was used as a standard for content validity of the instruments. All questionnaire items were found to be valid against the set standard since the content validity index ranged between 0.8 and 1. Cronbach’s alpha coefficient of at least 0.7 was applied to affirm the reliability of the questionnaire during study piloting. The cumulative reliability was 0.794 meaning the items in the tool were internally consistent. The study established that church performance was positively and significantly correlated to authenticity strategy (r=0.532, p<0.05), follower empowerment strategy (r=0.637, p<0.05), ethical behavior strategy (r=0.675, p<0.05) and building community strategy (r=0.778, p<0.05). The study further found out that 75.7% of the variance in performance of the evangelical churches in Kenya was explained by authenticity strategy, follower empowerment strategy, ethical behavior strategy and building community strategy. The multiple regression model was statistically significant. It was found that one unit increase in ethical behavior of the church leaders increases church performance by 0.180 other factors remaining constant. Regarding building community strategy, this study established that one unit rise in the use of building community strategy by church leaders’ increases church performance by 0.288 units with other factors constant. One unit increase in empowering followers by the church leaders increases church performance while other factors remain constant as evidenced by unstandardized beta coefficient of 0.237. Regarding authenticity, this study established that church performance increased by 0.200 units with a unit increase in church leaders’ authenticity. The study determined that there was significant effect of authenticity strategy, follower empowerment strategy, ethical behavior strategy and building community strategy on church performance. This research contributes to theory, present-day leadership practice and development of policies and structures of the church. The study may be used to address the needs in churches for a good leadership framework and a sustainable and steady growth of the church. Coupled with theological doctrines and Christian authenticity, leaders in church may begin to appreciate servant leadership strategies as a critical variable to the church’s financial and membership performance. The study recommends a formulation of ethical guidelines to be followed by church leaders in their ministries.enThesis