TITLE:
Measures to Enhance Use of Social Media Platforms among SDA Churches in Rachuonyo North Sub-County, Homa-Bay County, Kenya
AUTHORS:
Edward Odhiambo Omollo, Regina Kinuthia, Martin Erixon Wamalwa
KEYWORDS:
Online Evangelism, Social Media Platforms, Transformation of Worship, SDA Church
JOURNAL NAME:
Open Journal of Social Sciences,
Vol.11 No.9,
September
22,
2023
ABSTRACT: The use of social media platforms has increasingly become a major
platform for communication in the
contemporary society including in enhancing worship among Seventh Day
Adventist (SDA) churches. However, not all church members have access to the
technologies. For these technologies to serve everyone equally, it is expected that all
members should have the gadgets and knowhow of using them. It is not documented
which measures could be put in place to enhance worship in SDA churches especially in remote areas
like Rachuonyo North Sub-County, Homa-Bay County, Kenya. This study aimed at
proposing appropriate measures to enhance worship in SDA churches using social media platforms in Rachuonyo North
Sub-County, Homa Bay County, Kenya. The researcher used descriptive
research design to obtain data from selected church members. The objective of
the study was to assess the appropriate measures that would help enhance
worship via social media platforms among SDA churches. Five SDA churches with a
study population of 933 were randomly
sampled. A sample of 200 respondents were issued with questionnaires, 60
participated in focus group discussions, and 20 church leaders were engaged in
in-depth interviews resulting into a sample size of 280. Of the 200
questionnaires issued, 82% (n = 164) were received back, all invited
participants to in-depth interviews and focus group discussions were present.
Descriptive statistics were derived from quantitative data using SPSS version
24 and presented in pie-charts and bar charts while qualitative data were analyzed using thematic
and content analysis. Organization of seminars, invitation of experts, subsidy
on data costs, and installation of solar panels were identified as appropriate
measures to enhance worship via social media platforms. The study recommends
the church to act on enlightening members on use of social media platforms for
worship through seminars, invitation of experts and taking lead while
scientific community should investigate effectiveness of the proposed measures
in enhancing worship among SDA churches.