CONGREGANTS’ PERCEPTION OF CORPORATE SOCIAL RESPONSIBILITY INITIATIVES BY SELECTED CHURCHES IN SOUTH WEST, NIGERIA DURING THE COVID-19 PANDEMIC LOCKDOWN
Corporate social responsibility (CSR) is vital for organizations, including churches, to fulfill their obligations to their communities. In line with the mandate given by Jesus Christ, churches fulfill their social responsibilities by providing for the needs of their congregants and community members. The COVID-19 pandemic and subsequent lockdown presented challenges for Nigerian congregants, affecting their spiritual, social, and financial well-being. Despite these difficulties, churches actively engaged in CSR activities to alleviate the pandemic's impact. However, understanding congregants' perceptions of their churches' CSR initiatives during the COVID-19 lockdown remained a crucial knowledge gap. This study aimed to examine these perceptions through a survey of 1063 respondents from prominent Nigerian churches in Lagos, Oyo, and Ondo States, namely the Redeemed Christian Church of God, Living Faith Church, Baptist Church, and Seventh Day Adventist Church. The findings revealed that although the respondents were aware of the churches' CSR initiatives, they did not fully benefit or participate in the relief items provided. Nevertheless, congregants held a positive perception of the initiatives, believing in the churches' altruistic motives. While CSR initiatives had some influence on church attendance, the impact was limited. In conclusion, this study emphasizes the importance of CSR initiatives for the survival of churches, as congregants are more likely to attend churches that genuinely care for their welfare. Understanding congregants' perceptions can help churches tailor their CSR efforts more effectively to meet community needs and expectations.
Corporate Social Responsibility, Congregants’ Perception, Evangelism Campaigns, Selected Churches, COVID-19 Pandemic lockdown